Come on, an errant battery message? Is this all Windows 7 users can come up with to complain about?

OK, in all seriousness, Microsoft says it's investigating reports that some Windows 7 users have been getting alerts telling them that their batteries are depleted, or broken, when in fact the batteries seem to be full, or at least fine. It may pale in comparison to the widespread problems experienced by users after Windows Vista's launch, but based on the reports from users in the TechNet forums, it sounds like a pretty annoying bug.

"I know for a fact that the battery is good," one user wrote. "It works fine in Vista, its only about 4 months old, it lasts 2 hours +, and even in Windows 7, it will last for the same time period as it did in Vista."

Here's the latest from the company, as of this morning.

Microsoft has been made aware that some computers running Windows 7 receive a warning that the battery needs to be replaced when the battery is new or in good health. In conjunction with our hardware partners, we are investigating this issue. The warning received on some computers using Windows 7 uses firmware information (information about hardware status provided by the PC itself) to determine if battery replacement is needed. We are working with our partners to determine the root cause of what appear to be erroneous warnings and will update the TechNet forum with information and guidance as it becomes available.

The battery notification is new functionality in Windows 7, so the notification itself should not be an indication that customers are having this issue. Windows Vista and Windows XP did not display notifications when it was time to replace the battery. Customers who have already confirmed their battery is fine should contact Microsoft technical assistance for help.

Stay tuned for more as it's available. Also see posts by CRN, ComputerWorld, Paul Thurrott, Ina Fried and Mary Jo Foley.