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    X201 battery time fluctuates

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Strategy, Aug 12, 2010.

  1. Strategy

    Strategy Notebook Enthusiast

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    X201 3249-CTO

    The battery gauge at the bottom right always changes vastly, for example: from 5:00 to 4:30 or so.

    Sometimes it goes all the way down to 1 hour and then up to 6 hours again... it's strange.

    Anyone else have this problem or knows how to fix it?

    edit: I did a clean install with an SSD with Windows 7. I have the newest Power Management drivers and Power Manager program installed, if that makes a difference.
     
    Strategy, Aug 12, 2010
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  2. kevinf

    kevinf Notebook Evangelist

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    i'm thinking it's changing based on the tasks that you are doing. for example if you go from idle of 8 hours to watching videos, it might go from 8 hours to 4 hours since it is using more power
     
    kevinf, Aug 12, 2010
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  3. Strategy

    Strategy Notebook Enthusiast

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    This is different though. I agree with what you're saying, but even when I am doing the same task it changes from 5 hours to 6 hours for example. And its constant too, not just sometimes.
     
    Strategy, Aug 12, 2010
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  4. AlbuquerqueFX

    AlbuquerqueFX Notebook Consultant

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    He's still right though -- the power draw changed (whether you know it or not) which then changes the expected lifespan of the battery.

    The TRUE root cause is the battery meter needs some sort of averaging algorithm to smooth out the display. Instead, it's using the "instantaneous" battery draw to project total battery life, which is stupid at best.

    I'd suggest removing Lenovo's battery meter, and use an aftermarket one like BatteryBar. It's freeware (there is a 'pro' version that has a small fee, but the free one has no irritating popups or messages) and it generally gets an idea of your usage pattern and will build a battery life indicator that's far more accurate over the span of several days.
     
    AlbuquerqueFX, Aug 12, 2010
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  5. Strategy

    Strategy Notebook Enthusiast

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    But does everyone else have this problem or is it just me? Can't be just me.. if it is, then something is wrong.
     
    Strategy, Aug 12, 2010
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  6. kevinf

    kevinf Notebook Evangelist

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    yeah it does happen to me. wish it would be a bit more stable thugh
     
    kevinf, Aug 12, 2010
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