when running on battery, screen goes black,but laptop is still running

I've got an odd problem here. On my Compaq Presario CQ60-615DX, it runs fine as long as it's plugged in. Once I unplug it and run it on the battery, once it gets down to about 87-88% or so, the screen just goes black, but doesn't shutdown and I'm unable to do anything except remove the battery and restart. My first thought was a battery problem, but the fact that it keeps running even though the screen is black makes me wonder if that's the case or not. Anyone else experience this or any ideas to help?

You laptop is due to the power plan settings, refer to point 1.
Normally, the laptop can return to display mode upon moving the cursor &or keyboard being press.

1. Go to Control Panel, select Hardware & Sound; select Power Options.
Select the Power plan with button marked, and Change Plan settings to view on the options.

2. If you are using main power, best is to remove &or unplugged the battery.
If the battery is always plugged in, while using main power, this cause the battery to failed in the long run.
Unless you need to charge battery, then plug in the main power.
If battery is almost 100% then remove it if you use main power.
I had one laptop (from my bro) who always battery was plugged in and also use main power.
The battery was now useless, cannot hold charge.

Eric3742 said:

You laptop is due to the power plan settings, refer to point 1.
Normally, the laptop can return to display mode upon moving the cursor &or keyboard being press.

1. Go to Control Panel, select Hardware & Sound; select Power Options.
Select the Power plan with button marked, and Change Plan settings to view on the options.

2. If you are using main power, best is to remove &or unplugged the battery.
If the battery is always plugged in, while using main power, this cause the battery to failed in the long run.
Unless you need to charge battery, then plug in the main power.
If battery is almost 100% then remove it if you use main power.
I had one laptop (from my bro) who always battery was plugged in and also use main power.
The battery was now useless, cannot hold charge.

The power options don't show anything unusual, nothing's changed from before I had this problem to now. My fear is what you said in the second part of your post. I am the type of person to just keep it plugged in almost all the time, so I'm guessing the battery can no longer hold much of a charge. Looks like it might just be time for a new battery.

There is one more thing you need to consider.
If you are using main power for your laptop and did not use the battery.
It is better to use at least once a month.
Meaning, to plug in the battery and use it without the main power.
And after using for some time, then plug in the main power and let it charged.
Once charged, you can remove the battery and continue to use main power.
This is to ensure the battery do not wear off, if not in use for some time.

mitchell65 said:

This might help you make a decision about renewing the battery:
Windows 7: How to check your laptop battery health in Windows 7 - HelpWithWindows.com

Design Capacity 47520
Last Full Charge 32195

Looks like it's time for a new battery. Thanks for the tip!