X41 Tablet, New battery not charging

[RBaz]

I've got an old X41 Tablet that I'd like to give one of my kids but after buying a new battery and running it down, the battery will not charge. It runs fine on the AC adapter and I've tried 2 different adapters so I doubt if it's the adapter or charging port issue. I've removed the IBM power management software and I've tried reinstalling the Intel acpi power management driver listed in Device Manager but still no luck. Would a dead CMOS battery keep the system from charging the battery?

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the Forum.

Do you have to enter date/time every time you boot up?
If so, the CMOS battery needs to be replaced.

I'm not aware if a dead CMOS stops a main battery from charging or not, but with those oldies you never know...

[kfzhu1229]

I've got an old X41 Tablet that I'd like to give one of my kids but after buying a new battery and running it down, the battery will not charge. It runs fine on the AC adapter and I've tried 2 different adapters so I doubt if it's the adapter or charging port issue. I've removed the IBM power management software and I've tried reinstalling the Intel acpi power management driver listed in Device Manager but still no luck. Would a dead CMOS battery keep the system from charging the battery?

If you shut the laptop down, and let the battery charge with the charger, notice the battery charging LED. If the charging LED keeps on flashing orange, your battery is likely dead.
Is this new old stock? If so, original batteries use 103450 prismatic cells, which from my experience seems to age poorly. In fact, I just tore apart an Ultrabay 2000 NOS battery from 2005, sealed, and the cells are completely dead at 0V each!

[RBaz]

I know the CMOS battery is dead because I do have to enter the time and date any time I shut it off or unplug it. It runs fine and the AC adapter. I don't think it's an issue with the actual charging port because I also have a docking station and it doesn't charge when it's docked either. The battery was purchase new a few years ago and worked fine until I ran it down and it wouldn't charge after that. It's been store in the dead state for a few years and I know that's hard on them. Has anybody else had issues with the charging circuit on the X41 Tablets?

[kfzhu1229]

I know the CMOS battery is dead because I do have to enter the time and date any time I shut it off or unplug it. It runs fine and the AC adapter. I don't think it's an issue with the actual charging port because I also have a docking station and it doesn't charge when it's docked either. The battery was purchase new a few years ago and worked fine until I ran it down and it wouldn't charge after that. It's been store in the dead state for a few years and I know that's hard on them. Has anybody else had issues with the charging circuit on the X41 Tablets?

I've had my "expertise" experience with the likes of the X6x Tablet and X20x Tablet batteries. I imagine your battery is built very similarly.
But yeah, I know on X6x Tablet and X20x Tablet, the 4 cell battery is 4 prismatic battery cell (103450) connected in series. The 8 cell is actually 4 prismatic cells and 4 18650's, but connected NOT in parallel - but they act as two battery packs! I.e. laptop would thoroughly discharge one group of cells before touching the other!
If you have the 8 cell, and the charge imbalance on your cells are way out of wack, due to age, especially as the 103450's age worse, then the laptop would really struggle to recharge them back up! Unfortunately you can't just use the 18650's either. if the 103450's are completely dead or deeply imbalanced, the BMS locks and the whole battery is inoperative.

[RBaz]

Well I replaced the CMOS battery and that didn't help. The battery I have is a 4 cell, not OEM. Has anybody had any luck opening one up and replacing the cells?

[kfzhu1229]

Well I replaced the CMOS battery and that didn't help. The battery I have is a 4 cell, not OEM. Has anybody had any luck opening one up and replacing the cells?

Yours is 4 cell not OEM flat bottom one? If you open that up, I am very certain it's not 18650 - it's 103450 prismatic cells. You will NOT find these cells very easily...
It is possible you can measure each cell's voltage and then balance charge the cells manually and then it might work fine, but seeing it's a 4 cell knockoff, I'll be surprised if it runs any longer than 15 minutes in its current shape