I have a Sony VAIO & have been using the larger battery (extended life) since I purchased it bout 3 years ago. I was always able to automatically switch from AC power to battery power by simply unplugging, or plugging computer into ac out let. And, I was always able to see the battery icon on left bottom of screen (taskbar) & it would show % battery left. Now, suddenly, as soon as the power cord is unlugged the laptop shuts totally off, no reserve power at all & I cant find the battery info. anywhere on the computer. Icon no longer appears in lower left corner & when I go into power settings, the "Battery 1" icon is greyed out, so it looks like computer is not finding any battery. This happened so suddenly. Could the battery have just basically lost all power & become non-existent to the computer, or is it a computer problem, not recognizing battery. Not sure if this is some setting I can fix somewhere, or if i need to have a computer repair person fix the actual computer. PLEASE HELP, I am desperate to fix this, as a laptop does not really serve its intended purpose if it has to be plugged in to hard power all the time! TX in advance for an help, suggestions.1 person got this answerI do too