Invalid Battery

[markdavid570]

I just got a Droid X about two weeks ago.  Basically, through work, I pay for the phone and my employer pays for the plan.  I guess that's not completely relevant, but just in case...there it is.  I had looked around online and found some issues that other users had with the 2.2 update and I decided to wait to see if there was a fix on the way.  I didn't have any issues with the phone, but I figured if there was an update with no issues, then it would be best to install it.  I looked and found the 2.3.340 update and it was showed as the available update when I checked the phone.  That was earlier this week (it is now Friday).  On Thursday, I noticed that the phone wouldn't go to "sleep mode" from the home screen.  I had to manually black out the screen.  This morning, before work, I plugged in the stock battery charger to make sure I had a full charge before work.  When I was getting ready to leave, I noticed that the battery indicator was not doing anything, and when I unplugged the charger, it showed the "Invalid Battery" message that said I needed to install a Motorola battery.  The battery indicator was then showing a darkened battery symbol with a question mark in it.  I was confused, since it was the stock battery that came with the phone from Verizon.  During my lunch break, I headed to the local Verizon store and found that the sleep mode was working properly again.  When I spoke with a representative, they said that it could either be a bad battery or a bad phone.  They asked if I had pulled the batter and I told them I had not.  They put a brand new battery in the phone and they said it was working fine again and that if I continued to have issues, to bring it back.  Everything seemed to work fine until I got home from work and plugged it in to charge the battery back up.  When I checked it after awhile, it was giving me the same message as this morning and telling me that it was an "Invalid Battery" and that I need to install a Motorola battery (which is what I'm assuming the Verizon rep installed earlier today).

I'm planning to go back to the store tomorrow, but a quick online search gave me the impression that other users have had a similar issues since installing the last update.  I'm wondering if this is an issue with the specific phone I got, or if it's a general issue with these phones as a whole.  I'm really questioning staying with this phone, or with Verizon in general because of the problem.  If it's just a bad unit, and the problem can be resolved with a replacement, then great.  But if not, then I have a problem with having to constantly replace the battery when I want to make sure I have a full charge.

Anyone else having the same issue or have any thoughts on this?

[nolafire]

So far your problem seems to be somewhat unique compared to others on here. I have noticed an extreme drain on my battery since the update, but nothing like you have going on. I would opt to maybe look into another phone. The X is a great phone, but that being said this update is horrible. Hopefully we don't have to wait too long for the next update, but that still seems to be months away. Just some food for thought, while deciding what to do.

[markdavid570]

I was kind of afraid of that.  I'm wondering if it can be replaced with a new unit?  Since it came through my employer, our IT guy should be able to get a new replacement; however, I haven't ruled out the possibility of switching to the HTC Incredible, or...if it comes to it...maybe a different carrier all together.  I'd rather not do that, but if I'm going to pay so much for a phone, I want it to work the way it should, and I want to know that Verizon is going to make sure it is taken care of when there is an issue.  I guess I'll wait to see what happens tomorrow.  I'm also planning to try out the HTC Incredible tomorrow to see if I like it.  I like that it doesn't have the "bump" that the X has, but with big hands, I don't mind the size of the X.  Since I use it mostly for work and email, I want to be comfortable typing on it (I don't like "hard" keys).  Any thoughts on the reliability or "stability" of one over the other?

[dirkbonn]

Looks to me like a bad battery charger.  It's screwing up your batteries and then the phone gives you the invalid battery message.

[mortb]

I agree totally with dirkboon. It sounds like your charger is bad. This does happen. Have you tried charging it on your computer? Try tethering your phone with your computer and see if you get the charging icon. If you do, then you know for certain that it is your charger. As for the upgrade draining your battery, I doubt that. I, mjyself, find that my battery last a bit longer without charging with the latest upgrade.

[TaeSong]

With the Droid X, I found this problem to be intermittent.

"Invalid Battery" might actually mean "Invalid Battery Recharger".  The Droid X has some issues with recharging (or recognizing the recharger) either on PC/USB or even with the stock USB recharger.  I have one recharger I borrowed from a cousin for his mobile phone and it works 100% of the time.

It looks like Motorola tried to put in some kind of overly complicated 'intelligent' recharging circuitry... which prevents some 'unauthorized' USB rechargers from being used with Motorola mobile phones.  Also locking out 3rd party vendors from providing  less expensive solutions.

[markdavid570]

Well...I turned the phone off and then restarted it.  After that, I haven't had any problems.  It seems to be charging fine and not giving me the "Invalid Battery" message anymore.  I tried plugging it back in this morning, but nothing happened, but I'm assuming that's because it was turned off all night after being charged yesterday.  I plan to use it today and then try to charge it either tonight or tomorrow morning before work.  Hopefully everything is fine, but I don't know that I'm completely trusting that it won't happen again.

[dogwalker]

Not sure if this is the same issue. Plugged my phone in the charger last night (charging from the computer). This morning I have a screen saying Disconnected Unplug your charger from the outlet to conserve energy, also a small flower pot with a green leaf is on this notice.  Also noticed that it did not charge. I unplugged the charger from the phone but the only way I can get rid of the notice is by turning off the phone. I have tried a couple times to recharge and I get the same message. Can someone tell me what is going on. My verizon store is  busy and I don't really have the time to sit on hold or in the store for an hour.

Thanks for any and all help that anyone can send me.

[crb79]

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dogwalker wrote:

Not sure if this is the same issue. Plugged my phone in the charger last night (charging from the computer). This morning I have a screen saying Disconnected Unplug your charger from the outlet to conserve energy, also a small flower pot with a green leaf is on this notice.  Also noticed that it did not charge. I unplugged the charger from the phone but the only way I can get rid of the notice is by turning off the phone. I have tried a couple times to recharge and I get the same message. Can someone tell me what is going on. My verizon store is  busy and I don't really have the time to sit on hold or in the store for an hour.

Thanks for any and all help that anyone can send me.

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Sounds like your computer is dropping the connection.  It could be due to power saving settings or the battery on your phone being to low.  Try giving it a full charge with the wall charger.  If the power is connecting/disconnecting rapidly it will keep that unplug message up continuously.

[gerio]

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dogwalker wrote:

Not sure if this is the same issue. Plugged my phone in the charger last night (charging from the computer). This morning I have a screen saying Disconnected Unplug your charger from the outlet to conserve energy, also a small flower pot with a green leaf is on this notice.  Also noticed that it did not charge. I unplugged the charger from the phone but the only way I can get rid of the notice is by turning off the phone. I have tried a couple times to recharge and I get the same message. Can someone tell me what is going on. My verizon store is  busy and I don't really have the time to sit on hold or in the store for an hour.

Thanks for any and all help that anyone can send me.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

FIrst, don't bother with trying to charge the X from the computer's USB port. It just doesn't supply enough current to properly charge the X. If that makes you hate the phone or want to get something else so you can charge from a computer, then so be it. But that's just how it is with the X. And I'd rather shut down my computers and use the wall charger anyway (actually, that IS what I do...) 

I don't know what's causing the goofy message issue, but try giving the X a full charge from the wall charger and go from there...

Geri O