Microsoft KB Archive/938961

= Error message when you start a Windows XP Embedded-based computer that is running on AC power or that has a fully charged battery: &quot;Critical Battery&quot; or &quot;Low Battery&quot; =

Article ID: 938961

Article Last Modified on 11/27/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 2

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SYMPTOMS
When you start a portable computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 2 (SP2), you may receive an error message that resembles one of the following.

Error message 1
Critical Battery

You should change your battery or switch to outlet power immediately to keep from losing your work.

Error message 2
Low Battery

You should change your battery or switch to outlet power immediately to keep from losing your work.

You receive the message even though the battery is fully charged or the system is running on AC power.



CAUSE
This problem may occur on a system that uses a high-speed flash disk to speed up the startup process. This problem occurs because the Windows XP composite battery driver (Compbatt.sys) does not correctly recognize the battery status. This problem occurs when the system starts faster than the composite battery driver expects.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about how hotfix packages are named, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

816915 New file naming schema for Microsoft Windows software update packages

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Keywords: kbbug kbfix kberrmsg kbexpertiseadvanced kbqfe kbhotfixserver KB938961

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