Laptop Li-ion battery repair isn't really an option because reseting the contoller inside the battery just isn't possible. Given the price of a new battery is prohibitive and, if it's an older laptop that one doesn't want to replace, availability of batteries, especially given their 3-5 year shelf life, is also a problem even if one were prepared to pay the asking price.
Other than running with a dead battery or removing the battery, are there any other options for restoring some sort of operation remote from the mains?
In most countries there are local businesses that specialize in laptop battery replacement.
Most laptop battery controller chips can be reset. Some companies publish the method, some do not (STFW).
The problem with Lithium Ion batteries is that they have a limted number of recharges. It's around 300. Once you go over that limit, they become useless very quickly. It seems odd because you have a full charge one day and the next a full charge lasts about 10 minutes and shortly thereafter a full charge won't even turn the unit on. :-(
Apple had this problem with early iPods. I have several Motorola phones with dead batteries soldered in. I also have several Macintosh laptops which are perfectly useable (and run the current version of MacOS) that have dead batteries and a replacement battery would cost more than a newer used laptop with a good battery.
Someday, I'll open them up find the correct cells and rebuild them. Apple even provided a program to reset the controller chip. :-)
Geoff.
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Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel gsm@mendelson.com N3OWJ/4X1GM
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