Battery hiding A/C input? Laptop on battery either not charging OR runs on power without battery (tp x230)

Question

I have an eld Thinkpad x230 running linux/windows dual boot as a kitchen computer and it has been working fine for a good while. Sometimes I take it with me as a small computer and battery would hold at least 3 to 4 hours. However the power thing right now baffles me completely.

1. When laptop is on battery - it shows battery is not charging (therefore it is slowly discharging - which I can see on Gui and with tlp-stat -b)
2. If I shut down, take the battery out, connect to power cord only - laptop is booting and running just fine. It just shows that battery is not attached (which is correct)
3. If I boot it with battery in and power cord attached (as battery still has about 65% charge) - it runs off battery, despite the charging cable attached. If I disconnect the battery then, laptop just goes out - as if the charging cable was not connected.

The same thing happens with several different charge adapters and also with x230 docking station (i.e. power cable attached to dock).

How to explain this behaviour? And would it be right to get a new battery?

OK, I got a new battery and the same behaviour occurs:

• When battery is in - power adapter not recognised and battery discharging.
• When battery taken out - computer runs from power adapter.

It is as if battery does not allow to recognise power input. What could the problem be? I understand that it is some problem internal to the laptop, but can anyone explain it properly?

Answer 1

I'd check power chord electrical specs:

• wattage
• DC voltage
• DC amperage

Then check laptop electrical specs, they must be the same.

In your case seems the power chord is good to run computer but to run computer and charge at same time.

At work happend to me the same with a Dell that asks 60W DC with attached power chord outputting 45W max.

Answer 2

First, I have a ThinkPad X230 here beside me.

Second (per above) you have already removed the battery. That can do a small reset of the battery.

Now, load and run Lenovo Vantage in Windows

In Vantage, in the Power Section, scroll down to the Battery Section and run the Battery Gauge Reset. This may take several hours so make sure you do not need the machine.

I will assume now the battery reset completed properly.

Check to see in the battery is now working properly: your point 3 in the question. I assume (different chargers) that the charging circuit is working.

If not, it is more that likely time to replace the battery. You would need to look at the third party battery vendors.

It is possible there is a problem with the circuit inside the computer (computer circuit plus a circuit in the battery), but battery seems most likely.

If the problem is internal to the computer, you need to get the laptop serviced.

If it is working, in the Lenovo Vantage, Power, Battery section, set the Battery Threshold level to 80% . This is a good value for leaving the unit plugged in for long periods.

Answer 3

As you say the computer is working as the kitchen computer, this is not a healthy environment and may cause the accumulation of dirt that is not only dust (that is the problem for most office computers).

In case the problem is dirt, such as fatty deposits, on some contacts, I would recommend a very thorough cleanup of the computer.

Try using isopropyl alcohol on all the contacts and reseat them, especially anything that is related to electricity.

If that doesn't work for you, a repair-shop will be able to handle the more difficult contacts.