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    Need a program that tells if on batt power

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by alavena, Apr 7, 2009.

  1. alavena

    alavena Notebook Guru

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    Hello all.

    I need a program that tells in a noticeable way that the laptop has become unplugged and is running on battery. Such as a popup or a reminder. I'm running Windows XP.

    I have it configured so that the batt/mains icon appears in the tray, but it sometimes disappears completely. The only way I have to notice it has become unplugged is that the screensaver pops up much earlier (I have configured it that way) and the screen dims. Both things my wife usually doesn't notice and keeps running the laptop out of batt.

    I have it plugged into an outlet that depends on a wall switch that's adjacent to that of the lights at my room. Thus, my wife or son may turn off the lights along with the outlet, leaving the laptop on battery though it's physically plugged in.

    Thanks.
     
    alavena, Apr 7, 2009
    #1
  2. Persnickety

    Persnickety Notebook Evangelist

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    You could use a piece of gaffer tape on the switch. I'm half serious here, so don't dismiss it entirely.

    Edit: The benefits of gaffer tape would be two-fold: It would stop the accidental switching off, and it would teach your wife and son to be more accurate when switching things off (muscle memory) so, in time, it can be taken off again (yes, that's me being half serious).
     
    Persnickety, Apr 7, 2009
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  3. Convoluted

    Convoluted Notebook Evangelist

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    Convoluted, Apr 7, 2009
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  4. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    Agree..I use battery bar as well
    You just need to install net framework v2 and above as it requires it to run

    Alex
     
    Alex, Apr 7, 2009
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  5. crash

    crash NBR Assassin

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    crash, Apr 7, 2009
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  6. Persnickety

    Persnickety Notebook Evangelist

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    Oh, well, I guess not that many people believe in the "If it moves and it shouldn't, use gaffer tape, if it should move and doesn't, use WD40"

    :D
     
    Persnickety, Apr 7, 2009
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  7. alavena

    alavena Notebook Guru

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    The easiest way would be to disable the switch, which was intended to control a floorlamp. But it won't help if the kid unplugs the adapter or the laptop (he's 2). I notice when the laptop is unplugged (screen brightness, loses speed, less fan noise, etc.) but she doesn't and keeps running it till it sends the 10% alarm.

    I'll try battery bar, though it looks like the battery bar of a Thinkpad and doesn't signal when the PC is uplugged.
     
    alavena, Apr 7, 2009
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  8. kobe

    kobe Notebook Virtuoso

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    Same here, use Battery Bar, once you use it, you will never go back. :)
     
    kobe, Apr 7, 2009
    #8
    alavena likes this.