No Battery Detected on Very Old Laptop

[QuantumPrimus]

I have received a pretty old Dell laptop(had windows XP, 80 GB HDD and 512 mb!) from a Co-worker. I have put windows 8 on it for temporary use at the moment, but I will be putting windows 7 32 bit home on it.
TO THE QUESTION
Down by the volume and internet access, it says "No Battery Detected" even though there is a battery in it, but it stays turned on when I unplug it, it stays turned on.
Any Idea why this happens?

 

[webworkings]

It could be a combination these three things.

1. It may well need a new battery. Even though you get power from the old one.
2. Try reinstalling the drivers.
3. Get a new power cord.

These things, individually, or in combo with each other, can cause your problem. I would start with the drivers first though.

 

[hang-the-9]

How long does it run on the battery? Is the battery a Dell brand?

 

[jsmithepa]

After you have re-installed Windows, correct procedure is, follow up by installing all vendor's Applets that is (hopefully still, and works for win7) available for this laptop. Those Applets are specific to this laptop and would include the correct battery meter.

If you are unable or the proper applets are no longer available, you will just have to live with it.