[mini b]

I've got some battery problems on my new mini 9, xp home. The battery charges up to about 85%, never the full 100. The moment it reaches this point it turns to battery power even though the ac adapter is till plugged in. When I unplug and re-plug the ac adapter, it stays on battery power. The only thing that happens is the change in brightness of the screen. When I reboot the mini and plug the adapter in it recognizes it and starts charging again, up until the 85%... I've put the DOS 05 version and some software for compal, /smart battery. Could this be a software problem or is it the charger or battery? Thanks for any replies.

[holmes4]

If the screen brightness changes, that means the Mini is running on AC. So it could be that either your battery isn't fully charging or the battery meter incorrectly reports the charge.

Try installing BatteryBar and comparing results.

[mini b]

Hey Steve,

thanks for the swift reply. Well the screen brightness changes so something is happening. But my big issue is that, once charge up to about 85% it switches to battery power and re-plugging the ac adapter doesn't help. Only rebooting helps.

[holmes4]

What makes you think it is switching to battery power?

[mini b]

well, the symbol for ac power changes into the symbol for batt power (on the task bar), the original power manager says: 'current power source: battery' and batterybar says 'discharging'. All this while the ac is plugged in.re-plugging it doesn't help.

[holmes4]

Ok. I've heard of others with a similar-sounding problem. In this state, does removing the battery remove all power to the system? Seems like a hardware issue to me.

[markrfc]

I had the same fault would only charge to 86%, dell sent out a new battery and it solved the problem.

[mini b]

yup, when I remove the battery, the system shuts down

[holmes4]

Call Dell

[jcarlo]

mine charges up only to 98%, is that normal?