Re: [NTLK] two Newton UMP2K problems

From: Sushi (Sushi_at_ragingbull.com)
Date: Fri Dec 07 2001 - 14:01:08 EST


>On 12/8/01 @ 3:17 AM, Prabhakar Ragde wrote:
>
>My Newton, which I carry around in an Eagle Creek pouch with my
>wallet, has been not turning on when I try to power it up. I take the
>battery out, leave it for an hour, plug it in, and it resets fine. Is
>there anything that would cause this behaviour to manifest itself more
>often than once in a while? Requiring an hour to boot is not something
>I can live with for very long.
>
>I thought it might be that the rechargeable battery (Newton accessory)
>was loose or losing contact as it bumped about in my pouch. I put in
>another rechargeable battery I had bought a few years back as a spare
>(never used). This battery does not appear to hold a full charge. The
>Extras indicator says "Charged" when the black line is less than a
>quarter "full". I can use it for a short while before it says the
>battery needs recharging. Is this battery toast, or can something be
>done to restore its full capacity?

It sounds like your rechargeable battery is not maintaining it's
voltage/charge. I've had this problem before with verious devices.

A quick way to check, is to use a set of Alkiline batteries in the
battery cage. If it doesn't happen with the Alkilines, then it is a good
bet that your rechargeable battery pack is going bad.

Reference your other battery being toast. It sounds like your battery is
not completely recharging to it's normal capacity. Sometimes exercising
the battery will improve it's performance in this case.

First recharge the battery to it's full capacity.

Then discharge the battery completely. After your Newt automatically
shuts off, try to turn it back on again. Do this a couple of times.

Then repeat the process.

It doesn't always work, but it's worth a try. I've found that if the
batteries are in good shape and just haven't been used for a while like
in your case, this technique works fairly well. OTOH, if you try an old
tired(used) battery, they seldom come back completely if at all.

Another solution, on this list, are some folks who will refurbish
rechargeable battery packs as well. Sorry I don't remember who.

Also, you can always go the battery cage route and use AA rechargeable
batteries. You would then need to recharge them outside of the Newton in
a AA battery recharger. If you had two sets, this might be a good option
for you as well.

Good luck!

Sushi

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