What is your zx5000 BIOS version ?

I just called HP tech support and complaint about my short battery life and she said “I should check my BIOS, and said for zx5000 notebook latest BIOS version is f.25”. I’m at work and my computer at home so I couldn’t check the BIOS version. She said if I have a different version I can download the f.25, it might affect the battery performance. You guys think is this possible or just a smoke screen????
Thanks in advance

 

I really doubt the bios could have been set that badly they it ran down the battery. That dosen't mean anything is wrong with your computer though, What is your system spec's and your average battery life?


Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

My notebook specs:
HP Pavilion zx5000 customize notebook
- Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition
- Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 3.00 GHz w/HT Technology
- 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen(1280x800)
- 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) 9600
- 512MB DDR SDRAM (2x256MB)
- 40 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
- FREE Upgrade from DVD to DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive!!
- 54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM)
- Microsoft(R) Works/Money
- 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Last night I turned down the screen 4 brightness level but I didn’t get any additional battery time, so 2 hours later battery level was 3%.

 

Well I have the same system as you exactly other then my hard drive is the 5,400 rpm. I get an easy 2.5 hours up to 3.25 hours. If you were installing new software or using the hard drive and cpu a lot then I could see it going that fast. For me to use all the power in that time I'd have to play some games. I've heard that lithum battery's have a break in period where they are not getting 100% of there power until they have been used for a month or so. I had a 2 hour class last semester and used my computer everyday. I put my brightness usally on level 5/10 or brighter and I used it the whole class to go on the internet, e-mail, message. After 2 hours I usally had 20-35% left.


Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

If I get 3 hrs I'll be very happy. I'll wait couple of days and calibrete the battery may be performance will improve.
Thank you for help.

 

another thing I thought of I was using the BIOS version that came before F25 I think it was F21? Thats what came with my notebook which I got about 10 weeks ago. I've only had F25 for like 4 days. I don't notice a difference though.


Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

DaGreek, I have BIOS version F24, I want to upgrade to F25. Can you tell me shortly how are you upgrading your BIOS ?. I understand you didn't get any performance difference with your upgrade but I want to try anyway. Last night I use only AOL with regular phone line, my battery run 2hrs 15min.
Thank you for your help

 

i have F.23 as my Bios in my Zx5000,i get about 2 to almost 3 hours of battery life.

 

you have to go the the suppot download site to get the BIOS update.

This should be the link for your notebook for the support downloads site:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?lc=en&dest_page=product&lang=en&cc=us&dlc=en&x=5&product=425541

Here is the link that goes to the BIOS download:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?product=425541&lc=en&dest_page=product&lang=en&cc=us&dlc=en&os=228&x=5&softwareitem=ob-22869-1

Hope this helps.


Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

DaGreek,
thank you for the info, as soon as my roadrunner restored I'll do my BIOS update
Thanx

 

your welcome, let us know if you need anything else.


Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

WOW[:0] My BIOS Version/Date is F.08, 11/26/2003 SMBIOS Version is 2.31.
I think these are the same ones that are on my (slightly older) ze4000.

I pretty much never use batt. power unless I just forget to plug the ac into the back of the unit.

Would I see any benefits by upgraging my BIOS?

 

upgrading your BIOS is always a good thing. It can help in every single area of computing. That dosen't mean you will see a difference but sometimes it helps performance, but sometimes its just for compatabiliy issues. I'd highly recommend it over even windows security updates.


Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115