My HP laptop battery isn't holding a charge like it use to so I am going to need a new one. If I remove it from the laptop, should I then keep my laptop plugged in to the charger (for a few days while I get a battery) so I do not loose what is in my laptop? Also, should I consider getting my battery rebuilt or just buy a HP OEM one?
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Need new laptop battery
- Thread starter johninct
- Start date
Zeke
Well-known member
No computer expert here but I've not heard of files going away just because of battery failure. There should be a CMOS battery to maintain the date, etc.
I buy on off ebay long before an OEM, from HP.
They probably come from the same Chinese source, except HP charges 30% more.
I have got power charges, batteries, etc off ebay, the quality is the same, IMO, mediocre.
You won't lose data.
They probably come from the same Chinese source, except HP charges 30% more.
I have got power charges, batteries, etc off ebay, the quality is the same, IMO, mediocre.
You won't lose data.
Fixed
Well-known member
I actually do know a bit about this topic, and for pretty much everything else in the computer, I will buy whatever is on ebay for cheap.
But for batteries, I buy OEM. For me, the few extra bucks is worth it, knowing that it is less likely to blow up, melt, etc.
EDIT: also, no: the data on your laptop is written to the HDD, which does not require any power to store data.
But for batteries, I buy OEM. For me, the few extra bucks is worth it, knowing that it is less likely to blow up, melt, etc.
EDIT: also, no: the data on your laptop is written to the HDD, which does not require any power to store data.
Last edited:
Roobaix
Well-known member
My HP laptop battery isn't holding a charge like it use to so I am going to need a new one. If I remove it from the laptop, should I then keep my laptop plugged in to the charger (for a few days while I get a battery) so I do not loose what is in my laptop? Also, should I consider getting my battery rebuilt or just buy a HP OEM one?
It will be fine without that battery. Your files are written to the hard drive and will not be lost once power is removed. You can remove the physical hard drive and put it into another HP laptop and it will turn on just like it's your own laptop.
For replacement I would buy either an OEM HP battery or something that gets good ratings from other purchasers. Not all batteries are created equal so that's why I say something with good ratings. OEM will be more expensive.
AnEv942
Well-known member
Im unsure why you would remove battery before the new one arrives if its working?
Some will not run without battery in place thru charger. Whether its chargin or not its running off the battery, I wouldnt even try.
With it off, unplugged, pull the battery if needed to get any numbers/ voltage req. etc. Put it back in untill new one arrives. The battery pack can be taken in or out, with computer off, and unplugged. Data is on the hard drive.
Some will not run without battery in place thru charger. Whether its chargin or not its running off the battery, I wouldnt even try.
With it off, unplugged, pull the battery if needed to get any numbers/ voltage req. etc. Put it back in untill new one arrives. The battery pack can be taken in or out, with computer off, and unplugged. Data is on the hard drive.
AV tinker er
Well-known member
Hard drives, whether older style spinning platter or newer solid state are non violate, meaning they don't need power to retain data.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
Im unsure why you would remove battery before the new one arrives if its working?
Some will not run without battery in place thru charger. Whether its chargin or not its running off the battery, I wouldnt even try.
With it off, unplugged, pull the battery if needed to get any numbers/ voltage req. etc. Put it back in untill new one arrives. The battery pack can be taken in or out, with computer off, and unplugged. Data is on the hard drive.
My original laptop, a Dell from 1997 had a failing battery, after it was worth less than a replacement battery. We used it plugged in with the battery in place. The battery got even worse, to the point it was taking so much juice the charger couldn't supply its needs and run the computer at the same time. With the battery removed, then computer then worked fine.
I actually do know a bit about this topic, and for pretty much everything else in the computer, I will buy whatever is on ebay for cheap.
But for batteries, I buy OEM. For me, the few extra bucks is worth it, knowing that it is less likely to blow up, melt, etc.
EDIT: also, no: the data on your laptop is written to the HDD, which does not require any power to store data.
I agree with this too, any money I have ever spent on a cheap battery has just been wasted. Whether for a car, flashlight or laptop.
Everyone one is correct, you won't lose data. However there are plenty of things that will make you lose it. (Hard drive crash, theft, etc.)
I would highly recommend backing everything up and storing the backup in a structure other than the place where the laptop is kept. I like online services like Mozy or Carbonite that back it up automatically. They are well worth the money as they take care of everything for you once you get them set up.
I would highly recommend backing everything up and storing the backup in a structure other than the place where the laptop is kept. I like online services like Mozy or Carbonite that back it up automatically. They are well worth the money as they take care of everything for you once you get them set up.
bushmechanic
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2014
- Messages
- 4,820
Your data will be fine.
If you're going to keep the laptop, though, (and you should if it's still working just fine) don't cheap out on the battery.
Even pedestrian OEMs like HP use far better batteries than you'll find in the wild.
The stocks are fresher, and the odds of accidentally buying the same unit HP uses are incredibly slim. Also, note that these batteries can actually be dangerous.
There is a difference in quality. One lasted since the day you bought the computer. You're attempting to replace that. I can promise you that cheaping out will not accomplish the task.
You'll just keep buying batteries... These things are nasty enough that it's best to get one that you'll use a long time rather than buying them constantly, even if they were all equally good; which they aren't.
If you have an HP, buy a battery from HP. Use the computer until it just won't do what you need it to do anymore and no more upgrades are possible.
Laptops can remain relevant for a very long time.
If you're going to keep the laptop, though, (and you should if it's still working just fine) don't cheap out on the battery.
Even pedestrian OEMs like HP use far better batteries than you'll find in the wild.
The stocks are fresher, and the odds of accidentally buying the same unit HP uses are incredibly slim. Also, note that these batteries can actually be dangerous.
There is a difference in quality. One lasted since the day you bought the computer. You're attempting to replace that. I can promise you that cheaping out will not accomplish the task.
You'll just keep buying batteries... These things are nasty enough that it's best to get one that you'll use a long time rather than buying them constantly, even if they were all equally good; which they aren't.
If you have an HP, buy a battery from HP. Use the computer until it just won't do what you need it to do anymore and no more upgrades are possible.
Laptops can remain relevant for a very long time.
DO NOT buy the cheap EBAY batteries. I get less than an hour out of mine. I complained to the seller and they sent another one, same less than an hour. I used to get 3-4 hours easy out of my OEM battery. Not really wanting to spend OEM money on a battery so it gets plugged in 90% of the time.
kwschumm
Well-known member
I actually do know a bit about this topic, and for pretty much everything else in the computer, I will buy whatever is on ebay for cheap.
But for batteries, I buy OEM. For me, the few extra bucks is worth it, knowing that it is less likely to blow up, melt, etc.
EDIT: also, no: the data on your laptop is written to the HDD, which does not require any power to store data.
This has been my experience as well, I've bought cheap batteries from eBay and Amazon and expensive batteries from Duracell and *none* of them worked as well or lasted as long as the OEM batteries, even though they claim the same amp hour rating. It's probably not a cell issue, my guess is that the charger circuit inside the battery is not as smart as the OEM one. In these types of batteries much of the charging electronics is in the battery itself.
You can find battery deals on Amazon. I have had great luck with the laptop and camera batteries I've purchased there. I think they are more reputable than Ebay for this type of stuff. You can also find replacements at Batteries+ but they are not cheap.
popparoach
Banned
get the old one rebuilt.
bushmechanic
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2014
- Messages
- 4,820
get the old one rebuilt.
That's a valid option, and one I've employed for other purposes in the past.
While it's not particularly complicated for many of them, you still end up with a rather large lithium battery attached to the bottom of a heat source quite close to your crotch...
The safest way to get a rebuilt battery is a manufacturer refurbished unit straight from HP or whoever made your laptop. Recycle your old unit at one of the many stores that offer the service and grab one from HP if you want to save some money.
Many towns have these services available, and even Batteries Plus re-packs them, but just because it's easy doesn't mean everyone should do it. I've seen some shoddy work there, and some shoddy cells.
Non-OEM laptop batteries can be very hit or miss. I've had some that worked well enough and others that were junk. These batteries all talk with the computer and as someone who worked for an OEM battery maker for a while I assure you the OEMs do not share the protocols with aftermarket vendors. That forces the vendors into a guess the password sort of game. Sometimes they seem to guess right (they did with an HP I have). Sometimes they guess wrong (My Dell workstation laptop). My best luck came when I bought used OEM laptops off ebay. They were not as good as new but better than my current battery.
As for the data on the computer, the others are correct. You don't even need the battery to use the computer (unless something else is wrong). DO back up your data. Also, get a spare power cord if you tend to use your laptop in just two locations (garage and... well where ever).
As for the data on the computer, the others are correct. You don't even need the battery to use the computer (unless something else is wrong). DO back up your data. Also, get a spare power cord if you tend to use your laptop in just two locations (garage and... well where ever).