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27759
April 3rd, 2013 14:00
Dell XPS 14 Ultrabook battery issue
Hi, I got Dell XPS 14 Ultrabook with Intel Core i7 Processor, 8Gb RAM, nVidia Dedicated graphics card specification.
The battery should last at least 8 hours of normal usage (i.e. browsing the web). But the problem is, my system could not get to 4 hours before the battery runs off.
I tweaked the battery meter, enabled both desktop mode and longevity mode, charged it for 100% and still no changes. I disabled them both, charged it for 100% and still no changes.
Is there any one out there having this kind of problem. Is this a hardware problem?
Thanks in advance.
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Khan7
4 Posts
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April 3rd, 2013 18:00
Hi Elijah O,
There is an available BIOS update. I downloaded it and tried to run it. But it has given me an error saying that the Computrace is enabled and could not continue. I tried disabling the Computrace from the BIOS setup but it won't allow me.
Please let me know if you have any idea how to disable Computrace, so that i can update the BIOS.
Thanks for the quick reply.
Kind Regards
Khan7
4 Posts
0
April 4th, 2013 05:00
Update:
I managed to install the new BIOS A13. But I encountered problems. The some drivers doesn't load correctly: driver for touchpad, driver for Intel Rapid Start Technology, and Intel Rapid Storage technology. Once it didn't load the driver for touchpad leaving the touchpad non-functional. I have to revert it back to BIOS A12. This is something Dell should address.
tj2002
7 Posts
0
May 15th, 2013 06:00
I'm having the very same issue. Dell's Indian tech support on the UK forum is suggesting an 8 cell battery should last between 2.5-3 hours. I disagree and will be phoning Dell tech support tonight
sharathcshekhar
6 Posts
0
September 18th, 2013 20:00
I am having the same issue. And the battery is degrading at an alarming rate. It's now only 50% of the original capacity (about 6 months Old). I barely manage to get 2 hours of battery life now.
Regards,
Sharath
Khan7
4 Posts
0
October 15th, 2013 16:00
I would suggest you update the BIOS from A12 to A14. This is the newest BIOS available for XPS Ultrabook 14. You can get it from Dell Support Driver Downloads. I would also suggest that you disable some startup processes that you don't need. To do this, press CTRL + ALT + DEL, click on Task Manager, then click on StartUp tab. You will find processes that will run on startup. Make sure to disable only those you don't need. These processes may run on background and take up resources such as Memory and CPU, which needs more power, degrading your battery capacity.
If you still find this solution not helpful, then you should contact Dell Support before your warranty runs out. It could be a hardware problem itself.
tj2002
7 Posts
0
October 19th, 2013 09:00
Hi, I've successfully updated the BIOS to A14 and have also updated to Windows 8.1. The battery is charged fully and is currently showing as 4hrs49mins @ 94% capacity with bluetooth off and the brightness at minimum. This is lower than it usually displays. Since doing these updates I can no longer change the screen brightness! The slider moves up and down but the brightness doesn't change. I have changed power settings and restarted and it changed from max to min brightness but it is still not adjustable. Is this a common problem with the BIOS/Windows update???