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    T61, Windows 7, and Power Manager

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by MEA707, Nov 4, 2009.

  1. MEA707

    MEA707 Notebook Consultant

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    I recently did a clean install of Windows 7 Professional 64-bit on my T61. I like to keep processes to a bare minimum and thus I don't like to install unnecessary software.

    I used the Power Manager on Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit, but now that I've upgraded to Windows 7, I have not reinstalled the Power Manager and am relying on the Windows Mobility Center.

    What are the benefits for running Power Manager on a T61 with Windows 7 over using the Windows Mobility Center? The T61 doesn't have switchable graphics like on the new T400/T500s, so is there any real advantage to using the Power Manager besides determining battery health?

    Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
     
    MEA707, Nov 4, 2009
    #1
  2. chorpeac

    chorpeac Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am interested to hear the responses to this as well. I am still trying to figure out if the power manager is not working correctly on Win 7 or if it is my non-lenovo replacement battery. When i wake from sleep, the battery may say 30%, but then the computer will hard power off at 10%. It is like I lost some major accuracy in the battery meter. I tried Battery Mon as well, and it is showing the same thing.... Maybe a driver?
     
    chorpeac, Nov 4, 2009
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  3. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    Power manager works just fine for me on windows 7.
     
    jaredy, Nov 4, 2009
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  4. chorpeac

    chorpeac Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am starting to think it is the generic battery, which I am trying to get an RMA... :\
     
    chorpeac, Nov 4, 2009
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  5. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    The power manager is one thing I do not add because I don't see any reason too.

    Howver, the accurcy of the terminal driver leaves much to be desired. It not nearly as good as the one we had for Vista.

    Renee
     
    Renee, Nov 4, 2009
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  6. drjohn

    drjohn Notebook Consultant

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    Lenovo's Power Manager seems to work well on my R61 running win7. The main advantage of using the Lenovo utility, as I see it, is the ability to set charging thresholds, which the built-in windows utilities doesn't appear to have.

    On my 32-bit win7, the ThinkPad power management uses only 548k, according to Task Manager. So it doesn't appear to waste much RAM, in any event.

    ~john
     
    drjohn, Nov 4, 2009
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  7. MEA707

    MEA707 Notebook Consultant

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    I've decided to install Power Manager, it's definitely much more extensive than the Windows 7 power management system.
     
    MEA707, Nov 4, 2009
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  8. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    John,
    After having read everything on batteries, I've decided that I'd rather have the disease than that fix.
    Renee
     
    Renee, Nov 4, 2009
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  9. Needmore4less

    Needmore4less Notebook aficionado

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    I also did a clean install of W7 (32 bit) and downloaded the Lenovo Update Manager for W7 and it works fine.

    I was debating if whether install it or not, but as drjohn stated it's very useful if you are thinking in setting charge threshold for the battery.

    The only thing I want to know if how to put the blue button to work again lol
     
    Needmore4less, Nov 4, 2009
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  10. MEA707

    MEA707 Notebook Consultant

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    Install ThinkVantage Toolbox.
     
    MEA707, Nov 4, 2009
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  11. Needmore4less

    Needmore4less Notebook aficionado

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    Thanks, I'm kinda dummy for this techie things lol

    One more thing though, (don't want to hijack the thread either), I installed the latest drivers for my GPU (nvidia NVS 140M) and the current temps according to gpu-z are between 57 C - 59 C just browsing the web.

    Are this readings normal for a GPU or are a little bit high?
     
    Needmore4less, Nov 4, 2009
    #11