Laptop says, "Plugged in, charging," but it really isn't.

[bob bobato]

I just got a brand new laptop charger and battery. When I plug them in, the PC says that it is "plugged in, charging"... And yet the battery's charge is actually going on. I had the exact same problem in the last few days with my old battery and charger. Wjat in the world is going on and what could I do. I've already tried reinstalling all the battery drivers and it hasn't done a thing.
I'm using windows 7 on a two-year old machine.

 

[illram]

Is it an off brand battery and charger? There are sometimes problems with those. (I.e., "universal" battery and chargers that say they are compatible with multiple models.)

1) Can you return the battery and the charger and try and get one from your laptop maker? 2) Try removing the battery and then re-installing it, then plugging in the charger; 3) try plugging in the charger while it is off when you know it needs to be charged, leave it charging for a while, turn the computer on and then see if it re-charged the battery.

Can you operate the laptop without the battery plugged in, but with the power cord attached? This could isolate the issue to see if the charger is defective, or if the issue is with the battery.

 

[bob bobato]

Is it an off brand battery and charger? There are sometimes problems with those. (I.e., "universal" battery and chargers that say they are compatible with multiple models.)

1) Can you return the battery and the charger and try and get one from your laptop maker? 2) Try removing the battery and then re-installing it, then plugging in the charger; 3) try plugging in the charger while it is off when you know it needs to be charged, leave it charging for a while, turn the computer on and then see if it re-charged the battery.

Can you operate the laptop without the battery plugged in, but with the power cord attached? This could isolate the issue to see if the charger is defective, or if the issue is with the battery.

The battery is the exact same as the one before, and the charger is Universal (and Kensignton, so I"m not sure if it counts as off brand).
The battery has now completely lost its charge, and the laptop wont go on any more. The little light which indicates that the charger is plugged in is on, though. When I try to turn on the computer, it runs for a few seconds, then shuts down, and the light goes off for a while before going back on. The battery is not recharging in any situation.
I can't operate the laptop with battery removed and power cord attached, but I don't think its a defect as much as the way the laptop works, since the little light goes off when the battery is removed (hey, I'm not a technician, these lights are all I have to judge by).

 

[Elephantium]

Kensington counts as off-brand. The first thing I'd try is a charger of the exact same brand as your laptop.

Generally, you should be able to run laptops with the power cord plugged in and the battery removed -- the fact that you can't do that makes it sound like a defective charger, an incompatible charger, or a broken power socket in the laptop.

 

[illram]

^^ Yep.

I think most laptops, even old ones, should be able to run when plugged in but without a battery. I still have an ancient Toshiba from 2004 that can do that.

 

[bob bobato]

Turns out the problem was with the computer itself, not the charger or battery. So I had to get a new one Thank god I backup regularly and have an income which far outstrips my actual financial needs.

 

[illram]

How'd you figure it out?

 

[bob bobato]

How'd you figure it out?

Went to see a technician, who told me the thing was definitely broken (though I had already assumed it was after reading about similar stories online).