-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [CentOS] Battery condition tools CentOS/Dell From: Kwan Lowe <kwan.lowe at gmail.com> To: CentOS mailing list <centos at centos.org> Date: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 9:14:46 AM > The times I have removed it from the mains the battery held out > for only about 10 minutes before dying. > > I'm experimenting with removing the batteries completely, but ideally > would like to have the battery backup in case of a power outage. My > other option is to get a UPS and run without the laptop battery. > How old is your laptop? This may be a case of expectations not meeting reality. As the Wiki article linked previously mentions, LiION batteries deteriorate over time and with use (as do all batteries). In my experience, a typical laptop battery (treated well) will last 2 years while maintaining the majority of its original capacity. After 5 years, the battery run time is often inadequate to meet the needs of the owner. When purchasing a laptop, I would have the expectation that the battery will need replaced every 2-3 years - if the laptop is used, assume that it needs a new battery. If your battery is only maintaining a run time of 10 minutes, it has reached the end of its life. If this has occurred in less than 2 years then there is a problem and I think you're going about it the right way (or perhaps via a warranty claim), but if the battery is greater than 3 years old I would have to say it's just time for a new one. --Blake