Battery Latch Open Error

Aximsurfer · #1 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 10:00 AM

I was getting a "Battery Latch was opened" error message box that was continuously appearing - but the latch seemed secure. . . ?

Anyone experience this?

Drifter · #2 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 10:29 AM

I have seen this problem posted before.

Sometime it can be cleared by operating teh catch a few times and making sure their is nothing trapoped in the latch.

I have also seen reports that this can be play between the battery cover and latch which can be cured by b=packing some paper between the battery and cover.

What I have also known is people getting a replacement from Dell for this problem.

Mahstah · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 07:03 PM

I had this problem with the X51v myself. What I did was crumble up a piece of scotch tape about half the size of a BB (.177mm projectile) and shoved it into the left hand side hole that locks the rear cover onto the unit. Inside the left hand latch hole you will see the switch that triggers the "Battery latch was opened" message. By forcing the switch closed with the tape ball the problem went away permanently.

Aximsurfer · #4 (**permalink**) 03-21-2006, 02:36 PM

Thanks Mahstah and Drifter - I read your postings regularily.
I've returned my Axim as I broke the glass (great skiing wipeout!).
I suspected the switch or loose cover also - they both have some play in them. I'll see what the new replacement does and do an inspection when I receive it. I will be looking for the cover hooks to push a mini-switch. This would create the error if the cover shifts. Also, the slide lock may be suspect as it has some play also.
Thanks for the clues! In the meantime, I'm tracking just how long Dell really takes to replace my Axim. Watch for my post!

- Aximsurfer

Aximsurfer · #5 (**permalink**) 04-21-2006, 10:58 AM

My replacement Axim x51v has a "loose" switch also, and I closely examined the battery "holes" for the switch. I thought I'd clarify this "switch" as this seems to be an inadequate design for the battery latch cover and it may be hard for everyone to detect. The underside of the latch cover prongs are tapered. The closure of the latches in the holes will force the prongs down into the unit. The switch is vertically operated by a very small "tab" that gets pushed down. If you push down with the tip of a pen on the left hand side hole (while looking at the rear of the unit with the "holes" nearest you), you'll see that it depresses ever so slightly. That is the switch action.

I used a 3" square "post it" note, and trimmed off a 3/64" (less than 1/8") wide strip of the adhesive part. I removed 1/4 of the length. Then I folded it on top of itself in 1/8" lengths, leaving 1/4" overhang. I tucked it down into the hold, flat, on top of the switch and tab. The overhang, or extra length was left to hang up and out of the hole, towards the right hand side hole, so I could remove it and to keep it from "floating" into the unit.

I immediately noticed the latch worked much tighter than at first, and I don't expect any more problems. What an annoyance that was!!

geeky_grammy · #6 (**permalink**) 06-13-2006, 03:18 PM

At first your measurements made me nervous. Too small for these old eyes. But I finally got it done and it worked like a charm.
The 1/4 inch overhang was a great idea too. The first time I tried it, I didn't leave quite enough and I could see how the paper could have easily slipped into the unit.
Thanks a bunch. That message was getting very tiresome.

Skata · #7 (**permalink**) 06-14-2006, 07:38 AM

A picture is worth hundreds of words. Anyone???

Mahstah · #8 (**permalink**) 08-20-2006, 02:02 PM

I posted this on another battery latch open error thread but it might be worth a repost here...

Axim X51v Battery Latch Sensor.jpg

Here you can see the clumsily wadded up tape I stuck onto the latch sensor.

REDNEK · #9 (**permalink**) 08-20-2006, 02:44 PM

I like that better I'm going to try that Thanks

REDNEK

Skata · #10 (**permalink**) 08-20-2006, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahstah

I posted this on another battery latch open error thread but it might be worth a repost here...

Here you can see the clumsily wadded up tape I stuck onto the latch sensor.

Mahstah, is the wadded up tape for pushing down or pushing to the right? Or, both?

I have only experienced this problem a couple of times on my X51v, but was going to take some preventive measures in case the latch starts getting loose.

Thanks.