HP BP02XL (internal) battery error "601" on HP Pavilion 15-au106TU Notebook

[4joeyirosh1]

Hi!I own a HP Pavilion 15-au106TU Notebook running on Debian 10.5 Linux 64 bit OS.

The notebook has a HP BP02XL rechargeable battery which has been working relatively ok keeping battery charge for about 2-3 hours when not connected to AC Power Adapter.

Unfortunately,just suddenly today when I switched on my computer,I found the following error

HP Battery Alert The system has detected the storage capacity of the battery stated below to be very low. For optimal performance, this battery may need to be replaced. Primary (internal) Battery (601) ENTER - Continue Startup For more information, please visit: www.hp.com/go/techcenter

That lasts for about 15 seconds when it loads the Operating System.

I have tried the 3 methods stated below and also as shown on the webpage https://windowsreport.com/fix-pc-error-code-601/

Method 1: Re-insert Battery

The simplest way of fixing PC error code 601 is to remove the battery and insert it again on your PC. Here’s how to do this:

1. Turn off your PC

2. Unplug your laptop from the power supply and remove your battery

3. After removing the battery, press and hold the power button down for at least 25 seconds.

4. Insert your battery back into your PC and plug in your power cord.

5. Now, turn on your laptop.
   
   After turning on your laptop, you can check if the error message still occurs; if not, proceed to the next fix.
   
   This step did not work as the 601 error still persisted when I turned on my laptop

Method 2: Run Battery test

Battery test is a process in the System diagnostics which enables HP users to check their PC for battery performance in order to optimize usage. Here’s how to run battery test:

1. Turn off your HP computer.

2. Now, turn on your PC and hit the “esc” key to open the “Startup Menu”.

3. In the “Startup Menu” display”, hit the “F2” key to launch the “Battery Test” option.

4. Follow the wizard to manage your computer’s battery

5. Finally, boot your PC and check if the issue still persists.
   
   For this step 2 when I press F2 I only see run memory and hard disk diagnostics and no battery test so I could not perform this test

   Method 3: Run PC without battery

   Another method of clearing PC error code 601 in HP computers is to run your PC without the battery. Here’s how to do this:

   1. Firstly, shut down your PC

   2. Unplug your laptop from the power supply and remove your battery

   3. After removing the battery, press and hold the power button down for 20 seconds.

   4. Now, plug in the power cord into your PC without the battery.

   5. Finally, boot your PC and check if the issue still persists.
      
      
      

      For this Step 3 the machine boots with the power supply but with no battery though I still need the battery to be functional when I dont have the power supply.
      
      Moreover,if I boot the notebook with the battery and not connected to power supply,it shows the 601 error attempts to load the Operating System but the Debian OS Desktop doesnt load.
      
      Furthermore HP BP02XL battery is swollen on the right side.I had a similar situation one year ago when my previous HP BP02XL was swollen on both the left and the right side and I decided to replace this with the current battery thats giving me the 601 error.
      
      Is there a way of resolving this without buying a new battery?Its annoying and costly to keep replacing batteries every year.I have owned this laptop since early 2018 and I replaced the first battery that was swollen on both sides as explained above in mid 2019 and the current battery that has lasted only a year is also giving me challenges as above.How can battery life be prolonged as I think a battery should be able to last more than one year?
      
      Also,whats the best way to maintain battery life?Should I leave the AC Power Adapter permanently connected to the notebook even if the battery is fully charged to 100% or should one allow the battery to be charged by adapter and once battery charge reaches 100%,disconnect the power adapter and allow the battery to drain then reconnect the power adapter again for a repeat cycle?Also after how long should one allow the battery to drain without connecting to the power adapter.Some people say drain the battery at least once a month.Please advise on your expert opinion on this. Moreover please respond as to why when I boot and press F2 as explained earlier,I cannot see Battery Test Diagnostics Option.
      
      Thanks in advance.
      
      
      
      
      
      

[Dragon-Fur]

@4joeyirosh1 

It is unfortunate.

"Fat" Battery / Bloated Battery / Swollen Battery

• If the battery is in a swollen or bloated condition, the battery must be removed from the computer and replaced.
• There are no other remedies, tests, or useful options.

Thank you for participating in our HP Community.

We are a world community of volunteers dedicated to supporting HP technology

[4joey1]

Also please advise on the question I posed earlier ie

Also,whats the best way to maintain battery life?Should I leave the AC Power Adapter permanently connected to the notebook even if the battery is fully charged to 100% or should one allow the battery to be charged by adapter and once battery charge reaches 100%,disconnect the power adapter and allow the battery to drain then reconnect the power adapter again for a repeat cycle?Also after how long should one allow the battery to drain without connecting to the power adapter.Some people say drain the battery at least once a month.

Please advise on your expert opinion on this.

Thanks in advance.

[Dragon-Fur]

@4joey1 

Ah, I did miss that part.  I think I stopped reading at the part where you asked if the battery can be "saved" or used in a swollen or bloated state.

Observations

Batteries, particularly some types, tend to last about as long as the guarantee.  One year sounds about right if that is the warranty period. 

Not all batteries are manufactured to the same level of excellence - some manufactures do better than others, I think.   In general, any battery can last for years or fail utterly at any time.

My opinion, based on the many notebooks and workstations I've had over the years, is that leaving the computer connected to AC power does the battery no harm, reducing the number of times the battery is charged / discharged might allow the battery to last longer.  The environment is important - the battery does better if the computer is not generating too much heat.

Personally I think battery technology is wanting is several areas.   This is not an opinion directed at HP.  I don't care for the state of the technology across the board:  it is primitive, overly sensitive, eco-damaging, and generally only "mostly reliable".  The batteries themselves are necessary but the industry is years away from solving some of the important problems.

Tips for extending / improving battery service

Microsoft - Battery saving tips

and

HP Notebook PCs - Improving Battery Performance (Windows)

Includes Battery Health management for Business notebooks

Thank you for participating in our HP Community .

We are a world community of volunteers dedicated to supporting HP technology.