Battery not charging and greyed out menus

**collapsing wave** · June 2nd, 2011

Can't get my battery to charge, it reads that it may be broken (about 20%).
It reads that it is charged but when I go to details it reads charged but no watts.

Also the time and menu commands at the top of the screen are not readable.they seem to be black on black text. This may be something stupid I have done...

Toshiba Satellite pro L300 running natty

Any help appreciated. Ta

**johngreth** · June 2nd, 2011

I would try the other indicator applets in the "add to panel" thing you can get when you right click on the panel. That may fix the blacked out clock problem. As for the battery, you probably just need a new battery. Does it charge when it isn't turned on?

**collapsing wave** · June 11th, 2011

Thanks for your reply. The battery was charging in windows and holding a short charge. The battery charging indicator light isn't on when the computer is off and plugged in. It isn't on when the computer is on and (obviously) plugged in.

This laptop hasn't handled ubuntu that well in the past (neither did I to be honest. The latest release is really user friendly) and I don't want to buy a new battery until I can be sure that I can get it to charge.

It isn't just the clock but also the firefox menu bar that is not visible. Weirdly If I right click the menu / panel at the top of the screen then I don't get a the add to panel thing. Nothing happens.
The menus are there I just have to click on them and they become visible ish. but it's annoying not being able to see them.