Is a year too soon for a laptop battery to be useless?
829410
Did you hear of the recall on most Dell laptops batteries? You might want to check to see if yours qualifies for a free replacement.
544552
The laptops we have here at work, mostly Dells, have lasted five years so far without one problem.  I know only one person that has a Vaio and her is still running fine after four years.  It really boils down to how well you take care of your system.  Laptops are a bit more fragile than Desktops.
489472
I believe most CMOS batteries are 2032 batteries.  You should be able to find them anywhere and they aren't really machine specific.  I'm not sure about laptops though.
174897
1.\nPower down all nonessential functions. Switch it off if you're not using it. Many business travelers already know that you don't want to take the DVD player for a spin on the plane, and that every time you hit "save" it can set the hard-drive whirring, which devours even more power. "But users often also forget to turn off their wireless card when they are no longer using it but are still using their computer," notes Mike Fuller, executive vice president of PC Laptops, a Sandy, Utah, laptop manufacturer. "When the wireless card is on, it still continually searches for networks." In Windows XP, click on "Power Options" in your control panel. It allows you to reduce the power consumption of any number of your computer devices or of your entire system.\n \n2.\nStay out of extreme temperatures. The technology that powers you battery isn't terribly complicated. But it's important to understand a little bit about the chemistry behind batteries, and how that can affect your work. Specifically, temperatures can affect the performance of your battery. It's best to use (and especially charge) your batteries at room temperatures. Extreme conditions can drain your battery quickly. Also, avoid partial charges and use the battery until it is dead. Battery experts liken partial charges — and discharges — to eating a cup of lard every day. It significantly shortens your battery's life. Considering that a lithium-ion battery can explode if it's improperly used, it could also shorten your life.\n \n3.\nLet your laptop do the saving. Not every computing device handles a power source in the same way. Some of the more sophisticated laptops, which are designed with business travelers in mind, are misers when it comes to using power. And that's a good thing — if you can remember to take advantage of it. "Most users make the mistake of simply not choosing to use a product's built-in ability to conserve battery life," says Dan Coffman, a senior product manager for PC manufacturer ViewSonic. How do you harness your PC's built-in ability to save? Consult your user manual. Often, calibrating your laptop is as easy as double-clicking on the battery icon in the toolbar.\n \n4.\nAlways, always carry a spare device that uses batteries. How obvious is that? Well, if you're trying to keep under the onerous new airline weight-limits, it isn't. But as Rick Thompson, director of engineering at Valence Technology in Austin, Texas, observes, "the availability of 'free' power outside of your hotel room is not predictable." That's a nice way of saying it. In fact, I sometimes think airport terminals, car-rental facilities and hotels try to hide the power outlets from us to keep us from accessing their free power. Thompson recommends a system that can simultaneously charge a second portable device such as a cell phone or PDA, allowing you to multitask your battery operations.
286271
I'd check the battery and make sure it's in good. Sometimes on laptops they can pop out. Make sure you are plugged into a plug and that the battery is fully charged if you are running on battery power. After a while, the batteries won't stay charged. You might need a new one. Another thing that happens with laptops is that the cord close to where it plugs into the computer gets bent repeatedly and the connection can break. If that happens, your computer doesn't get electricity to recharge and you may need a new cord. If none of these things...you probably have to have Sony take a look at it.
1116808
I would call dell tech support up and let them know the battery is a dud.  To keep the battery lasting longer fully charge it then let it drain 2 or 3 times right off the bat then fully change it and drain it once a week do not leave the power cord in the computer when you don't need it.  If you do this constently it will kill the battery.
586475
(If it's laptop) you just have to charge it. If that doesn't work, replace the charger. If that doesn't work too, replace the battery. If nothing works, buy a new computer.
832411
It would better to try to use the warranty.  If that is expired, then you can figure that the cost would be almost as high as a brand new one.   But check the authorized repair depots for your brand.  Check the manufacturer's website for the one nearest you. \n\nIn general, a laptop might cost $1200.   The repair may be as high as $600.  So by saving money now, you still have that old piece of junk, that might never be right anyway.   \n\nAHH, next time, don't leave it on the floor, or in HARM's way.   Maybe you would be better off with a huge Desktop.   You can get a good one for under $700 with awesome capabilities.\n\nGood luck
133057
"A better battery? A better mousetrap." \n\n"Every laptop and cell phone owner I know wants more battery time.  If it works as advertised, we'll soon see laptops with 10 hour batteries."\n\n"Saphion technology is superior because Saphion technology possesses safety and excellent cost/performance characteristics that cathode materials currently used in Lithium-ion batteries do not."
918618
1.  Disconnect the battery physically from the laptop - let it discharge for a few minutes.\n 2.  Put the battery back into the laptop.\n 3.  Boot up laptop and charge battery.\n 4.  Shut down laptop and unplug adapter from wall and laptop.\n 5.  Boot up laptop\nIf the battery does not maintain a charge at this point, it's probably a goner and needs replaced if you would like to do work independently of a power adapter.
694546
Only the owner of the computer can say if something is still useful. If it still serves its purpose, then it is still useful. If I own the laptop you mentioned and i bought it so I can browse the net or play audio and video, then I can say it would still be useful. But if I am someone that  is into beta testing of new software being introduced in the market, then this particular model might not be able to run the new programs thereby making it obsolete or non-useful.
844252
I think you need a new battery.
355775
LOL that battery does suck doesn't it??? I own one also but as long as you are happy with the laptop then go http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/adet.to?poid=294716&seg=HHO&coid=-26627&rcid=-26363&ccid=1291043\nThis is a direct replacement from Toshiba that has almost twice the capacity.
989618
I am pretty sure that as long as the main battery is charged you don't need the backup battery.  It's there just in case your main battery should fail.
889354
HI there...most people find that these batteries are difficult to obtain inexpensively other than through eBay if the machines are parted out.\n\nHere's a few places that sell replacements: \n$79/http://www.laptopcharge.com/product_index03.asp?DEP_ID=1&CAT_id=1&Brand_ID=4&mode_id=1&PNO=20.03.014.00\n$115.95/http://www.ebatts.com/apple_powerbook-g4-15-aluminum_laptop_batteries_part_b-5906.aspx?GCID=C10847x023&KEYWORD=Apple%20PowerBook%20G4%20(15%22%20Aluminum)%20Laptop%20Battery\n\nSome people qualify for the free Apple battery exchange program which were recalled: https://depot.info.apple.com/batteryexchange/
444213
Wow, there seems to be some differences of opinion on this one. Well perhaps I can help clear up some of the mystery.  I have actually done quite a bit of research on this topic.\n\nThere is this thing called "battery memory".  It doesn't actually have anything to do with memory, what it refers to is the battery's ability to hold a charge.  If a battery is not discharged all the way before it is recharged it starts to develop a "memory" of the amount of discharge. It doesn't happen right away but eventually it gets to the point where the battery will no longer charge to the full capacity it used to have.\nDifferent battery types are effected by this different amounts.  Alkaline batteries are severely effected by it. Lithium Ion batteries (the kind in a laptop) are not nearly as effected by it but are still a little effected.\nThere is something else to consider however.  All batteries, especially lithium Ions and most especially cheap lithium Ions loose there charge over time, even when they are just sitting being unused.  This means that every few hours or even every few minutes depending on your battery and laptop, the battery charger kicks on to get the battery back to 100%.  This rapid charging and discharging will quickly hurt the batteries life.\nOf course this is only one of many things that can and will effect the life of your battery.  The manual to your laptop should have care instructions for it.  Usually it recommends running on the battery and draining it completely dead then doing a full recharge around once a month.  This will help stop "battery memory".
14831
take the battery out for a few minutes then replace.\n\n\nthe mother board battery is what i was talking about!!!!!!! had to perform that operation myself and it works wonderfully. and not all laptop main board batteries are on the motherboard, mine was located in a small compartment underneith the laptop.\n\nUPDATE: you could just also bash the thing repeatedly on the concrete untill it is just a bunch of tiny bits, that will get rid of the password too.