Help!

A couple of days ago my laptop adaptor plug (going into laptop) became unreliable. The supply cut out, I had to waggle it around to make it come back on. Then it was fine, until it cut out again five minutes later, etc. etc.

Then it got to the stage where I had to hold something against the plug to keep it against the laptop to keep the charge going. What is worse, is that now the battery seems to be playing up. The battery just isn't charging, its on 2% permanently. Is this because the adaptor is only supplying enough to keep the laptop going without charging the battery? Are both my adaptor and battery broken? Help!!!!!

TRW

In most laptop Bios there is a function to discharge the battery completely. This helps to 'reset' the battery status and is recommended at least once a year to maintain a healthy battery.

I would boot in to the Bios by tapping Esc while starting the laptop and look for this function under the battery section.

Do not change any other settings though! :)

Now try charging the battery again.

Cheers, I might be try it- but I'm really terrified of not being able to turn the thing on at all. I'm going to buy some cds tomorrow and back-up all my stuff.

The battery meter has suddenly jumped to 100%, but the screen is still very very dark - it is normally bright on mains power, and slightly darker on battery supply.

Does this make any sense?

I unplugged it to see how it went; 100% for 5 -10 minutes (much better than normal), but then suddenly 3%, 'critical, battery discharging'. Ouch.

Sounds like a faulty battery or charging circuit (or worse, both).

What make and model is your laptop? I have a lot of battery experience with HP / Compaqs.

It is a Compaq Presario R3000, about 12 months old. I do use it for 12 hours + each day, although rarely on the battery. It is working ok now, on mains, but the screen is still very dark. It claims that the battery is 100%, but it did that last time. The adaptor seems very hot too - but this could be me imagining it.

If it was the battery, isn't it a bit of a coincidence that my adaptor was playing up before this?

It is a Compaq Presario R3000, about 12 months old. Do you mean it is still under warranty?
If so STOP, do not pass Go! Do not collect/spend £200, Go straight to the vendor and let them fix it.

If not, have a look at suggestions here:
htSPACEtp://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?dlc=en&lc=en&product=442915&lang=en&cc=uk&docname=c00035814

You need to copy that line into your browser and take out the word "SPACE" I added as the board doesn't permit url's in new members' posts :rolleyes:

Any chance a mod' could edit it to read properly please (I know you can)