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    How do I show the remaining time left on my battery?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by 4fingers97, Mar 8, 2009.

  1. 4fingers97

    4fingers97 Notebook Evangelist

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    on windows vista home preimuim 64 bit I want to know how to display the time left on it and not just the percent left on the battery. Can someone help me?
     
    4fingers97, Mar 8, 2009
    #1
  2. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    After you unplug the laptop, if you wait long enough for the computer to calculate it, the time should be displayed (within 1 or 2% of battery time).
     
    namaiki, Mar 8, 2009
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  3. 4fingers97

    4fingers97 Notebook Evangelist

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    No it just tells me a percent no matter what number. Is there a setting to turn that on or something?
     
    4fingers97, Mar 8, 2009
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  4. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    Did it display the time before?
    Also, did you reinstall Windows?
     
    namaiki, Mar 8, 2009
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  5. 4fingers97

    4fingers97 Notebook Evangelist

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    No Its was preinstalled and it never showed me the remaining time.
     
    4fingers97, Mar 8, 2009
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  6. entropy.cz

    entropy.cz Notebook Evangelist

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    it depends also on the laptop model itself, not only on the operating system. i never made my old travelmate show the remaining battery time, my recent latitude can do that. what laptop do you have?
     
    entropy.cz, Mar 8, 2009
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  7. crash

    crash NBR Assassin

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    crash, Mar 8, 2009
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  8. Deathwinger

    Deathwinger Notebook Virtuoso

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    BatteryBar works, gives you an accurate account of how much life is left. I used it on my system as it only gives me a percentage as well.
     
    Deathwinger, Mar 8, 2009
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  9. jb1007

    jb1007 Full Customization

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    It should show remaining time when you roll over the battery icon in the taskbar with your mouse.

    By the way, that is very unreliable. If you launch 5 programs at the same time and check the time remaining it will be very low, because it calculates time remaining based on the current processing power multiplied by percentage of battery remaining. So if you're completely idle with no programs open, it will give you a very long battery life estimation.

    The percentage remaining combined with your experience of how your battery operates is the best indication of how much time you have left.
     
    jb1007, Mar 8, 2009
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  10. 4fingers97

    4fingers97 Notebook Evangelist

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    I downloaded that battery thing and it works great. thx
     
    4fingers97, Mar 8, 2009
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  11. j-dogg

    j-dogg Notebook Evangelist

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    For some reason hp's never show time remaining, while dells do, not sure about other brands. But that's why some of you have it working while others do not.
     
    j-dogg, Mar 8, 2009
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  12. dannylill1981

    dannylill1981 Notebook Guru

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    my acer gives me a time remaining but the missus laptop (advent) just gives percentage, so it seems to be vendor specific
     
    dannylill1981, Mar 8, 2009
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  13. McGrady

    McGrady Notebook Virtuoso

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    battery bar ftw
     
    McGrady, Mar 8, 2009
    #13