i have an older lifebook and just found out that it will cost between
$200 to $500 to replace the $5 CMOS backup battery. fujitsu's
documentation said that it may have to be replace after 3 to 5 years,
which is reasonable to me but what is not reasonable is to design it
so that it costs $200 to $500 to replace it.

i can not recommend fujitsu as a source for laptop computers due to
their design philosophy for replaceable parts.

a "very unhappy" N3010 owner (but it has a very nice display)

(i was just "unhappy" when i discovered that the N3010 had a design
flaw that caused the mother board to over heat - i worked around that
with a combination of a temperature measuring program (non-fujitsu)
and blowing out the hot air discharge vents every once in a while when
the temperature gets above normal. all this was no thanks to fujitsu
who insisted that there was no problem and provided no help is solving
it. so i guess i also can't recommend fujitsu due to their lack of
support of their products, even when their is a design flaw!)

(btw, the letter "I" key on my keyboard has stopped working does
anyone know how it might be fixed? i hate to think what fujitsu would
want for that)

(i guess that i should mention that the hard drive failed as well but
replacing that was straight forward and with a disk image back up i
had made. i was going again very quickly for about $100 and my labor)

would apple do this kind of thing to their customers? i am thinking of
switching to a macbook pro and i am hoping that i will get a better
product and better support then fujitsu provided, and easier CMOS
backup battery replacement. comments?

jeff@nospam.com wrote:
>> had made. i was going again very quickly for about $100 and my labor)
>
> would apple do this kind of thing to their customers?

Yes... ;-)

Just ask anyone who has an iPod that needs it's battery replacing.

Guy

On Feb 1, 6:42 am, j...@nospam.com wrote:
> i have an older lifebook and just found out that it will cost between
> $200 to $500 to replace the $5 CMOS backup battery. fujitsu's
> documentation said that it may have to be replace after 3 to 5 years,
> which is reasonable to me but what is not reasonable is to design it
> so that it costs $200 to $500 to replace it.
>
> i can not recommend fujitsu as a source for laptop computers due to
> their design philosophy for replaceable parts.
>
> a "very unhappy" N3010 owner (but it has a very nice display)
>
> (i was just "unhappy" when i discovered that the N3010 had a design
> flaw that caused the mother board to over heat - i worked around that
> with a combination of a temperature measuring program (non-fujitsu)
> and blowing out the hot air discharge vents every once in a while when
> the temperature gets above normal. all this was no thanks to fujitsu
> who insisted that there was no problem and provided no help is solving
> it. so i guess i also can't recommend fujitsu due to their lack of
> support of their products, even when their is a design flaw!)
>
> (btw, the letter "I" key on my keyboard has stopped working does
> anyone know how it might be fixed? i hate to think what fujitsu would
> want for that)

Pry off the key, gently, and see if the pad still works. Don't break
it. It's hard to put back together.

Other than that. It's a new keyboard.




>
> (i guess that i should mention that the hard drive failed as well but
> replacing that was straight forward and with a disk image back up i
> had made. i was going again very quickly for about $100 and my labor)
>
> would apple do this kind of thing to their customers? i am thinking of
> switching to a macbook pro and i am hoping that i will get a better
> product and better support then fujitsu provided, and easier CMOS
> backup battery replacement. comments?

As far as turning to ****, yes, Apple had a couple of laptops that
did. (Icebook)

On Thu, 01 Feb 2007 14:42:00 GMT, jeff@nospam.com wrote:

>i have an older lifebook and just found out that it will cost between
>$200 to $500 to replace the $5 CMOS backup battery. fujitsu's
>documentation said that it may have to be replace after 3 to 5 years,
>which is reasonable to me but what is not reasonable is to design it
>so that it costs $200 to $500 to replace it.
>
>i can not recommend fujitsu as a source for laptop computers due to
>their design philosophy for replaceable parts.
>
>a "very unhappy" N3010 owner (but it has a very nice display)
>
>(i was just "unhappy" when i discovered that the N3010 had a design
>flaw that caused the mother board to over heat - i worked around that
>with a combination of a temperature measuring program (non-fujitsu)
>and blowing out the hot air discharge vents every once in a while when
>the temperature gets above normal. all this was no thanks to fujitsu
>who insisted that there was no problem and provided no help is solving
>it. so i guess i also can't recommend fujitsu due to their lack of
>support of their products, even when their is a design flaw!)
>
>(btw, the letter "I" key on my keyboard has stopped working does
>anyone know how it might be fixed? i hate to think what fujitsu would
>want for that)
>
>(i guess that i should mention that the hard drive failed as well but
>replacing that was straight forward and with a disk image back up i
>had made. i was going again very quickly for about $100 and my labor)
>
>would apple do this kind of thing to their customers? i am thinking of
>switching to a macbook pro and i am hoping that i will get a better
>product and better support then fujitsu provided, and easier CMOS
>backup battery replacement. comments?

Dream on. I've never seen a laptop with a cmos battery that a user
could find.

On Feb 1, 10:44 am, Chris Hill <chill_mapsfree_...@centurytel.net>
wrote:
> On Thu, 01 Feb 2007 14:42:00 GMT, j...@nospam.com wrote:
> >i have an older lifebook and just found out that it will cost between
> >$200 to $500 to replace the $5 CMOS backup battery. fujitsu's
> >documentation said that it may have to be replace after 3 to 5 years,
> >which is reasonable to me but what is not reasonable is to design it
> >so that it costs $200 to $500 to replace it.
>
> >i can not recommend fujitsu as a source for laptop computers due to
> >their design philosophy for replaceable parts.
>
> >a "very unhappy" N3010 owner (but it has a very nice display)
>
> >(i was just "unhappy" when i discovered that the N3010 had a design
> >flaw that caused the mother board to over heat - i worked around that
> >with a combination of a temperature measuring program (non-fujitsu)
> >and blowing out the hot air discharge vents every once in a while when
> >the temperature gets above normal. all this was no thanks to fujitsu
> >who insisted that there was no problem and provided no help is solving
> >it. so i guess i also can't recommend fujitsu due to their lack of
> >support of their products, even when their is a design flaw!)
>
> >(btw, the letter "I" key on my keyboard has stopped working does
> >anyone know how it might be fixed? i hate to think what fujitsu would
> >want for that)
>
> >(i guess that i should mention that the hard drive failed as well but
> >replacing that was straight forward and with a disk image back up i
> >had made. i was going again very quickly for about $100 and my labor)
>
> >would apple do this kind of thing to their customers? i am thinking of
> >switching to a macbook pro and i am hoping that i will get a better
> >product and better support then fujitsu provided, and easier CMOS
> >backup battery replacement. comments?
>
> Dream on. I've never seen a laptop with a cmos battery that a user
> could find.

Older Dell Latitudes were easy to find and replace; Dell even told you
how in the service manual.

On Thu, 01 Feb 2007 10:44:09 -0600, Chris Hill
<chill_mapsfree_000@centurytel.net> wrote:

....
>
>Dream on. I've never seen a laptop with a cmos battery that a user
>could find.

oh, i have a thinkpad 600 where the battery is easily replaced, plug
in cable and all. i sure don't know about any others. the thinkpad was
my first laptop so my expectations were created by it.

is it hard to repalce a Macbook Pro CMOS backup battery?

jeff@nospam.com wrote:
> i have an older lifebook and just found out that it will cost between
> $200 to $500 to replace the $5 CMOS backup battery. fujitsu's
> documentation said that it may have to be replace after 3 to 5 years,
> which is reasonable to me but what is not reasonable is to design it
> so that it costs $200 to $500 to replace it.

This is a common issue. Find a cheaper repair place, or do it yourself.
>
> i can not recommend fujitsu as a source for laptop computers due to
> their design philosophy for replaceable parts.

I'm sure Fujitsu is quaking in their collective boot over your
decision to not recommend.
>
> a "very unhappy" N3010 owner (but it has a very nice display)
>
> (i was just "unhappy" when i discovered that the N3010 had a design
> flaw that caused the mother board to over heat - i worked around that
> with a combination of a temperature measuring program (non-fujitsu)
> and blowing out the hot air discharge vents every once in a while when
> the temperature gets above normal. all this was no thanks to fujitsu
> who insisted that there was no problem and provided no help is solving
> it. so i guess i also can't recommend fujitsu due to their lack of
> support of their products, even when their is a design flaw!)

This is a common problem with smokers, pet owners etc.
Fujitsu did not put the debris in your fan.
Quit bitching at Fujitsu and get rid of the cat...or get a swiffer...
or just blow out the **** fan every week.
>
> (btw, the letter "I" key on my keyboard has stopped working does
> anyone know how it might be fixed? i hate to think what fujitsu would
> want for that)

Sounds like the "I" key failure is due to overuse. I'll leave it to you
to ponder the deeper meaning of that.
But check underneath
the key for cookie crumbs, cat hair, spilled pop, usual debris.
>
> (i guess that i should mention that the hard drive failed as well but
> replacing that was straight forward and with a disk image back up i
> had made. i was going again very quickly for about $100 and my labor)
>
> would apple do this kind of thing to their customers? i am thinking of
> switching to a macbook pro and i am hoping that i will get a better
> product and better support then fujitsu provided, and easier CMOS
> backup battery replacement. comments?

I replaced the cmos battery in my powerbook. Just remove the bottom,
disassemble the cdrom and it's right there underneath. All it took was
4 lithium cells and a spot welder. Piece of cake.

Call up your car dealer and ask them how much to replace the filter in
your automatic transmission. Or the appliance repair shop and ask how
much to replace the light bulb in your microwave oven. Or the plumber
to ask how much to unclog your pipes. Or the Department of
Environmental Quality to ask how much to test your car for emissions
so you can get your tags renewed even though there is nothing wrong.

Think how many other items you could not recommend.

While I've got your attention, anybody got a port replicator for a
Fujitsu B112 they wanna sell cheap?

mike
Return address is valid.

"Chris Hill" <chill_mapsfree_000@centurytel.net> wrote in message
news:k564s21p7o7q7a7lld14t3108ocf8afhdl@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 01 Feb 2007 14:42:00 GMT, jeff@nospam.com wrote:
>
>>i have an older lifebook and just found out that it will cost between
>>$200 to $500 to replace the $5 CMOS backup battery. fujitsu's
>>documentation said that it may have to be replace after 3 to 5 years,
>>which is reasonable to me but what is not reasonable is to design it
>>so that it costs $200 to $500 to replace it.
>>
>>i can not recommend fujitsu as a source for laptop computers due to
>>their design philosophy for replaceable parts.
>>
>>a "very unhappy" N3010 owner (but it has a very nice display)
>>
>>(i was just "unhappy" when i discovered that the N3010 had a design
>>flaw that caused the mother board to over heat - i worked around that
>>with a combination of a temperature measuring program (non-fujitsu)
>>and blowing out the hot air discharge vents every once in a while when
>>the temperature gets above normal. all this was no thanks to fujitsu
>>who insisted that there was no problem and provided no help is solving
>>it. so i guess i also can't recommend fujitsu due to their lack of
>>support of their products, even when their is a design flaw!)
>>
>>(btw, the letter "I" key on my keyboard has stopped working does
>>anyone know how it might be fixed? i hate to think what fujitsu would
>>want for that)
>>
>>(i guess that i should mention that the hard drive failed as well but
>>replacing that was straight forward and with a disk image back up i
>>had made. i was going again very quickly for about $100 and my labor)
>>
>>would apple do this kind of thing to their customers? i am thinking of
>>switching to a macbook pro and i am hoping that i will get a better
>>product and better support then fujitsu provided, and easier CMOS
>>backup battery replacement. comments?
>
> Dream on. I've never seen a laptop with a cmos battery that a user
> could find.

I've got one. It's right under a removeable cover that conceals the memory.

Chris Hill wrote:
>
> Dream on. I've never seen a laptop with a cmos battery that a user
> could find.

Then you haven't seen very many laptops.
--
James

Visit the Thinkpad Forums
http://forum.thinkpads.com

On 1 Feb 2007 12:42:24 -0800, "ken10254" <kwolfdds******.com> wrote:

>
>Older Dell Latitudes were easy to find and replace; Dell even told you
>how in the service manual.

I've owned mostly Toshibas, along with a couple acers. None of them
had the cmos batttery user accesible.

On Feb 2, 8:58 am, Chris Hill <chill_mapsfree_...@centurytel.net>
wrote:
> On 1 Feb 2007 12:42:24 -0800, "ken10254" <kwolf...******.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> >Older Dell Latitudes were easy to find and replace; Dell even told you
> >how in the service manual.
>
> I've owned mostly Toshibas, along with a couple acers. None of them
> had the cmos batttery user accesible.

Chris;
If that is the case, you shouldn't make a blanket statement like you
did; it just invites flamers! Be specific. There are people on this
board with a lot more experience than either of us and they can refute
a comment like yours in a nanosecond! As you have seen, Dell's, IBM's
and other laptop brands can have their cmos batteries easily replaced,
if you know how!
Ken

On 2 Feb 2007 13:10:39 -0800, "ken10254" <kwolfdds******.com> wrote:

>On Feb 2, 8:58 am, Chris Hill <chill_mapsfree_...@centurytel.net>
>wrote:
>> On 1 Feb 2007 12:42:24 -0800, "ken10254" <kwolf...******.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> >Older Dell Latitudes were easy to find and replace; Dell even told you
>> >how in the service manual.
>>
>> I've owned mostly Toshibas, along with a couple acers. None of them
>> had the cmos batttery user accesible.
>
>Chris;
>If that is the case, you shouldn't make a blanket statement like you
>did; it just invites flamers! Be specific. There are people on this
>board with a lot more experience than either of us and they can refute
>a comment like yours in a nanosecond! As you have seen, Dell's, IBM's
>and other laptop brands can have their cmos batteries easily replaced,
>if you know how!

I think the best answer to that is some can. I had an IBM and the
cmos battery was pretty deep in the guts of the thing; not what I'd
consider user replaceable. I suspect if one wants to make a purchase
decision based on an easily replaceable cmos battery, they won't have
much to choose from.

Chris Hill wrote:

> Dream on. I've never seen a laptop with a cmos battery that a user
> could find.

My Presario X1000 has an easily accessibly CMOS battery. No screws, just
a small snap off panel with the battery behind it.