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Question

Laptop won't boot with any replacement battery

Mar 26, 2016 5:49PM PDT

I have a Toshiba laptop model S70-BBT2N23 which I purchased last April. The laptop works fine with no problems.

I decided to buy an extra battery to use as a backup. When I installed the battery, the computer would not boot up, even with the AC plugged in. If I remove the battery or put the original battery back in, all works fine. I initially thought this was a battery problem, so I exchanged the battery for a replacement and got the same result. These were aftermarket batteries, so I then bought a Toshiba branded battery which appeared to be exactly the same as the original battery - and I again got the same result. In every case, the laptop will not boot up with the replacement battery and just flashes the power light, even with the AC plugged in. Put the original battery in (with or without AC) or just run on AC and all works fine.

Any ideas?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Try Bob's advice at link.
Mar 26, 2016 5:59PM PDT

Post was last edited on March 26, 2016 6:02 PM PDT

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Try Bob's advice at link
Mar 26, 2016 6:16PM PDT

I should have mentioned that I did try that power reset procedure (holding the power button down with all power disconnected) and it does no good. When I try the new battery, it just flashes the power button and won't boot.

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Answer
if advice does not help
Mar 26, 2016 6:12PM PDT

what is the full model number of the new battery?

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if advice does not help
Mar 26, 2016 6:18PM PDT

I've tried unsuccessfully with multiple new batteries, but the Toshiba battery I bought is a PA5024U-1BRS.

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Answer
This is either this or that. And it's all guesswork so far.
Mar 27, 2016 8:27AM PDT

I recall a very old machine needed a BIOS update to handle new batteries. It was a bit of a shocker since up till that model it never mattered since the machine designs were such that the charger configurations were pretty static. Now for those that don't believe, research the Apple Battery Firmware discussions.

One last try with the new Tosh battery. Power down, remove AC, remove old battery. Do the 60 second power button push and DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING IN THE USB PORTS. OK, slip in the new battery and give it a few seconds then apply AC. Do not turn it on. What is it doing?

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This is either this or that. And it's all guesswork so far.
Mar 27, 2016 10:49AM PDT

The BIOS is up-to-date and I actually re-installed it anyway just to be sure. It didn't help the problem. I did the power reset exactly as you suggested. The moment I slip the new battery in, the power light starts flashing yellow, which I believe indicates a low or bad battery. If I then plug in the AC, it changes nothing. I still have flashing amber. At that point, even with AC plugged in, pressing the power button does nothing. If I then remove the battery while the AC is plugged in, the power light immediately changes to solid white, and at that point pressing power boots up the system.