Laptop battery question

I recently purchased a Dell Latitude CPx laptop computer for a bargain-basement price. The computer needs a new hard drive before I can use it, then a battery before I can use it away from power. My question is whether I have to buy a charger for the battery, or will the battery charge any time the power cord is plugged into the wall? Also, if anyone has any advice on selecting a hard drive for this computer, I would certainly welcome that. I plan on installing at least a 40Gb drive; cost will steer the decision to a certain degree. Thanks in advance for the help. - Chris

 

The battery will charge whenever the laptop is plugged in. Actually I've never even _seen_ an external charger, but I'm sure somebody makes them.

Not sure precisely what you were asking with respect to the hard drive.

 

Core is correct about the battery, it will charge when it's plugged in.

For the hard drive, I would recommend getting one that is at least 5400rpm, 7200rpm would be better but you'll pay a little more. The higher the rpm, the faster the drive will be, which in turn will make the laptop faster. Also if the laptop is a little older, the hard drive will probably be an ATA-6 type connection. The newer ones use SATA. Just make sure to pay attention to that when you buy one. Oh yeah, get a seagate, they have better warranties.

This would probably be a good option for you
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148128

 

You've never seen an external charger for a laptop? Every laptop I've seen, has one.

 

I think they were referring to an external, separate-from-the-laptop charger. Also with the CPx, you may be limited to the size of hard drive. I would check the Dell site to see how much this machine can manage with all its peripherals. But faster spin makes for a faster computer.

 

CMil -

The AC power cord allows you to plug it in and run the computer without a battery on 120/240 or 50 cycles/60 cycles. If you have a battery, the computer will charge it if it is fully iserted. - Some older computers recommended disengaging/removing the battery when you operate on AC for long periods of time. This has to do with the older batteries, battery memory and the possibility of overcharging. I doubt if you have one that old.

Dick

 

WOW! So much help, so quickly! Thanks to all. Going to Dell's website now to see what they recommend as a maximum size drive. By the way, without wanting to sound like their shill, anyone needing hardware/software/accessories might give www.pricewatch.com a try. Thanks again - Chris

 

You could go to pricewatch, or you could just shop at newegg and get just as good of deals, and you're garunteed excellent service. I've used pricewatch before, but there are so many companies on there, you never know what you're going to get. I'd rather buy from a place that has a great reputation like newegg.

 

That external box between the plug in the wall and the plug in the back of the laptop is a power supply, not a charger. The charging circuitry is on the motherboard.

Because Chris' computer only needs a power cord, the power supply is probably built into the mobo as well.

Chris, if the battery holds a charge for less than 20 minutes it's probably shot. You could try putting it in the freezer for a few days sealed in a zip-lock freezer bag. (Seriously.) Then give it a full 24-hour charge.

What's this about a "bargain basement" price? Add a couple hundred dollars plus whatever your time is worth to fix it. (I'm guessing 20 hours to get it where you want it.) Jus' sayin' ...

 

Thanks, Rick and toofer. "Bargain basement" was well less than $100 - I did a little homework before committing. And I need to replace the battery because the previous owner lost the original!
Newegg is new to me. I shopped them for a second as toofer suggested. Looks promising. I go to pricewatch mostly out of familiarity. Is newegg a clearinghouse, or a stand-alone retailer? Just wondering; I have no preference.
Dell's customer service says a 5400 rpm, 20-40Gb IDE hard drive and 384Mb of PC100 RAM would be the recommended maximums for this computer. Staples' upgrade wizard lists up to a 7200 rpm, 160Gb hard drive and 512Mb of RAM. I think I'll start with the manufacturer's suggestions, maybe "hotrod" a little later.