Can anyone help? My older Dell Inspiron 7000 laptop suddenly defaulted to only running on battery. The AC power is lit when plugged in, but the battery does not seem to be charging beyond 24%. I have 2 other power supply cords that I need to try, but I'm wondering if anyone else has ever experienced this problem and if it a possible internal hardware problem.
Thanks!
Irishgirl

may be a bad battery. if its bad it wont charge 100% do you have or can get a battery from someone to try and see if its that battery or maybe something else. you could take the bat down to a computer shop and see if they can check it to see if it will in fact charge.

Thanks for your answer. Seems that it really is not running on battery after all, but the alert message displays as if it were. When I unplugged the AC power supply, the battery icon on the taskbar changed to a solid blue battery and it said "99% remaining." But when plugged in to AC power, the icon on taskbar changes to a battery with a lightening bolt through it and it says "charging 24%" and only changes to "charging 48%" and that's it! The device manager says the battery is fine? I'm now really stumped, but when the alert displays it says "You need to change your battery or switch to AC Power or you may lose your work." But it doesn't seem to happen. I don't know what registry key or whatever has gone haywire, but the alert does not seem to be valid.

Any other suggestions out there?
Irishgirl

Do a check of the Battery connector And check that they are clean A tiny bit of corrosion can cause all sort of messages

You can buy a Spray to protect the terminals and Improve the connection
against corrosion also Damp a micro second squirt is all you do..
Electrical Suppliers will stock this 1 small can will last you years
Ask about a Damp proof spray

Be aware that there is the Wet spray type also One that sprays a thin coating Buy this in a Place where they sell car accessories

Thanks! Yes, I now believe the alarm message is unreliable and that the computer actually IS running off AC power. This is my brother's computer and I don't have it here or I would remove the battery just to check connections. I will get some of that Damp proof spray - it certainly can't hurt to try that, too. The battery may well have failed as it is 10 years old. Thanks to all that responded!

10 year old battery that is amazing its lasted that long!
An original equipment battery will cost $129
But without going to Ebay and taking a risk

This site Has them in stock @ $39 delivered
Pattern part but brand new
www.priorityelectronics.com/dell/3932d.htm
Sites in California
PS There is another CMOS Battery that You can replace too If that goes then you'll get Sessions starting with the Time going wrong and eventually No starts
Cost about $2 looks like a large coin

You guys are awesome! Thanks so much for the tips. I will certainly follow up on that battery link. I knew someone who's CMOS battery went out and I imagine the one in this computer is not long for this world, either. We don't make a doorstop out of it because my brother is a stroke victim and just needs email...speed is not an issue.
Thanks again!
Irishgirl

We encourage people to Make do and mend without Forking out good money to "Repair men"

Why junk something when it wants a Part worth pennies