This is mostly a vent as I don't think there would be anyone here with the same issue!
Ok, so I'm no stranger to replacing laptop batteries. Compatible, genuine etc. generally I've had good luck. Not on this specific laptop.
First I order a compatible battery, I understand the risks - probably won't last too long, potentially will start to drop voltage overtime etc etc. Not too bothered by that as the only reason I'm replacing the battery is the current one is swollen and stopping the trackpad from clicking down. It charges and works fine with no errors.
Compatible one arrives, I hook it up. Get a warning that the battery can't be identified and therefor will not charge. Light on front flashing white x1 and orange x1 - Buy only genuine Dell batteries you horrible person. Tried a few things to force it to work but it just wouldn't start to charge, would run fine from the battery just not charge. Figure they've added something in a BIOS update which stops non-genuine batteries working. So that sucks, swallowed hard, returned that one and purchased a 'Genuine Dell battery'.
Couldn't find a way to buy this directly from Dell. Neither the sales or support at Dell could offer me anything. No big deal, it's a fairly old laptop will need to pick up some 'New-old stock' from somewhere.
Here is where it starts to get weird...I found a seller with the exact model number battery that I already have 6GTPY. It arrives with a little note saying that I've been 'upgraded' to the 2020 model of the battery part number 4K1VM. Physically it almost looks the same and appears to be a compatible part from a Google search.
Put it into the laptop and got the exact same error as before, unable to identify the battery only buy genuine Dell. Well great must be a fake battery I'm thinking. Checked the PPID of the replacement and all seems in order.
Things I have tried to work around the issue that haven't worked:
- Full power cycle (Hold power button with no battery/power adapter plugged in for 30seconds before reconnecting and trying again)
- Reseating the battery connection several times
- Powering laptop only with power adapter, then shutting it down and plugging the replacement battery back in
- Reset of BIOS
- Downgrade of BIOS (1.15)
- Reinstall of latest BIOS (1.24)
- Using a different power adapter
On closer inspection I notice that the wires connecting to the battery have a slightly different pin-out. The green and the yellow are switched.
Spoke to the seller who seems genuine, doesn't understand why it's not working and will speak to Dell/his supplier on Monday to confirm why he's been sold this batch under the impression they are compatible with my specific model of laptop and a few others.
Can't seem to find much by Googling the issue. Nor can I fully confirm that the 'new model' battery is even compatible.
Any idea's as to why it might not be working? What would you do? Seems Dell have had some sort of issue with these batteries as I see a lot of reports of them swelling up in the first year or two.
Ok, so I'm no stranger to replacing laptop batteries. Compatible, genuine etc. generally I've had good luck. Not on this specific laptop.
First I order a compatible battery, I understand the risks - probably won't last too long, potentially will start to drop voltage overtime etc etc. Not too bothered by that as the only reason I'm replacing the battery is the current one is swollen and stopping the trackpad from clicking down. It charges and works fine with no errors.
Compatible one arrives, I hook it up. Get a warning that the battery can't be identified and therefor will not charge. Light on front flashing white x1 and orange x1 - Buy only genuine Dell batteries you horrible person. Tried a few things to force it to work but it just wouldn't start to charge, would run fine from the battery just not charge. Figure they've added something in a BIOS update which stops non-genuine batteries working. So that sucks, swallowed hard, returned that one and purchased a 'Genuine Dell battery'.
Couldn't find a way to buy this directly from Dell. Neither the sales or support at Dell could offer me anything. No big deal, it's a fairly old laptop will need to pick up some 'New-old stock' from somewhere.
Here is where it starts to get weird...I found a seller with the exact model number battery that I already have 6GTPY. It arrives with a little note saying that I've been 'upgraded' to the 2020 model of the battery part number 4K1VM. Physically it almost looks the same and appears to be a compatible part from a Google search.
Put it into the laptop and got the exact same error as before, unable to identify the battery only buy genuine Dell. Well great must be a fake battery I'm thinking. Checked the PPID of the replacement and all seems in order.
Things I have tried to work around the issue that haven't worked:
- Full power cycle (Hold power button with no battery/power adapter plugged in for 30seconds before reconnecting and trying again)
- Reseating the battery connection several times
- Powering laptop only with power adapter, then shutting it down and plugging the replacement battery back in
- Reset of BIOS
- Downgrade of BIOS (1.15)
- Reinstall of latest BIOS (1.24)
- Using a different power adapter
On closer inspection I notice that the wires connecting to the battery have a slightly different pin-out. The green and the yellow are switched.
Spoke to the seller who seems genuine, doesn't understand why it's not working and will speak to Dell/his supplier on Monday to confirm why he's been sold this batch under the impression they are compatible with my specific model of laptop and a few others.
Can't seem to find much by Googling the issue. Nor can I fully confirm that the 'new model' battery is even compatible.
Any idea's as to why it might not be working? What would you do? Seems Dell have had some sort of issue with these batteries as I see a lot of reports of them swelling up in the first year or two.
