The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Battery Wear Level

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by EnTg888, Jan 4, 2009.

  1. EnTg888

    EnTg888 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    31
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    So I've been searching for this information everywhere, but I can't find it...
    Anyways, my Sony Vaio FE690 only lasts around 30 min on battery (I tried calibrating, still same life) but every utility that I try (Battery Eater, Notebook control, Everest, etc.) reports a wear level of 0% and a full charge capacity that is the same as the original capacity.

    Can anyone confirm that the Sony battery firmware does not report the wear level? I'm wondering if it has something to do with my BIOS upgrade. Thanks!
     
    EnTg888, Jan 4, 2009
    #1
  2. outie

    outie Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    195
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    It means you need a new battery. I had Sony batteries that charged up to 100% but would drain in 30min. A new battery was the solution.
     
    outie, Jan 5, 2009
    #2
  3. EnTg888

    EnTg888 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    31
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's the only solution. But on other brands of computer, utilities can detect how worn the battery is... does anyone know how to get this info on a Sony?
     
    EnTg888, Jan 5, 2009
    #3
  4. DNkG

    DNkG Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    When i turn on my FW285 from full charge, it says 93% battery life. Is this normal?
     
    DNkG, Jan 5, 2009
    #4
  5. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    RMClock can tell you the battery wear.

    Fully charged capacity / designed capacity * 100%.
     
    Phil, Jan 6, 2009
    #5
  6. hamud

    hamud Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    31
    Messages:
    353
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    31

    No , but it's a problem with all sony new laptops
     
    hamud, Jan 6, 2009
    #6
  7. jam12

    jam12 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    105
    Messages:
    1,202
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Not only new laptops, I had the same problem to. To solve it you need basically re-calibrate the battery. You need to get the battery down to litterally 0% so you're computer no longer starts up on battery when you push the power button. Then charge up and it should go upto 100%.

    Oh crap :D. I'm talking about something completly different aren't I. Am I? :confused: Do you mean that when you charge up your battery it only reaches 93%? If so, then the solution is as written.
     
    jam12, Jan 6, 2009
    #7
  8. EnTg888

    EnTg888 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    31
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I tried RMClock, but Fully charged capacity and designed capacity are the same. 53280 mWh, which obviously is not right since this computer is about 2 years old and is losing a lot of its battery life. Does this work on other VAIOs or is it just mine?

    As for the 93%, I think it's normal since the computer takes a bit (a lot) of battery to boot up... mine starts at about 89% after booting but charges to 100 if plugged in.
     
    EnTg888, Jan 6, 2009
    #8
  9. suwannee79

    suwannee79 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I just got an FW 2 days ago and no matter how long the battery charges it seems to only get to 80%. I've had it plugged in for hours and it says "80% available (plugged in, not charging)" - why would it stop charging before reaching 100%?
     
    suwannee79, Jan 7, 2009
    #9
  10. jam12

    jam12 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    105
    Messages:
    1,202
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Follow my routine in my previous post. That should fix it.
     
    jam12, Jan 7, 2009
    #10
  11. DNkG

    DNkG Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    oh sorry i meant after being fully charged and turned on without the ac adapter it shows between 90-93%. It does get to 100 when plugged in, but that seems like it looses a nice bit just starting up.
     
    DNkG, Jan 7, 2009
    #11
  12. wakie

    wakie Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi, I need help. I bought my FZ in 2007. As it is always on my desk, I removed the battery for a few months and used the a/c adapter instead. Now, when I fully charge the battery, it drains completely in 15mins! I tested it using another battery at the sony service centre and the same thing happended.

    Anyone has this experience before? Should I leave it at sony service centre to have it checked out or should I just buy a new battery?
     
    wakie, Jan 8, 2009
    #12