power schemes what should they be set on

Settings would depend on just how you will be using the laptop...ie.

As an 'always on' powered mainly from the mains machine or as it was intended, a portable computer running on its batteries with the occasional trip to the mains for a re-charge.

Personally, I use mine at University and travel daily to uni from home therefore it is a 'portable' machine.

My settings are-

TYPE...portable/laptop computer

Monitor power off set at 15 minutes ..HARD drive power off set at NEVER.

The system itself is set to maximise the PERFORMANCE rather than maximise the battery useage (hey I take the power adapter with me so I can 'plug in' if the battery gets too low)

On the 'flip side' when at home I set it to ALWAYS ON the rest of the settings are as before and I tend to remove the battery and run on mains power alone...if I'm 'gaming' then I use http://www.blackviper.com recommended Services settings to make sure there is sufficient 'oomph' to run the games smoothly. These are of course the settings that suit ME..they may not suit you so I suggest a little experimentation in this department to see what floats yer boat.

Dell BobT's link is a good 'aide memoire' but for an 'always on' machine the use of HIBERNATE and STANDBY isn't IMHO neccessary as you are running on mains power anyways so why choose to save batery life? Given all the problems experienced by posters on these boards when using these functions the simplest solution would be to POWER OFF the machine if it's not being used...takes only a minute or so to reboot no big inconvenience methinks.

 

Message Edited by bluetracker on 01-02-2004 04:15 PM

Thanks Bob and Bluetracker for replying. I mostly use the AC adapter.What would be the best power scheme. I am new at this laptop stuff . Thanks

Littlechief

As I said b4 it's really up to the individual as to what settings to use; but seeing as you asked and taking your comments on board I would suggest the ALWAYS ON configuration might be the wtg. After which any other settings are really upto you.

Just remember to spare a thought for your poor battery tho'..USE it now and again WITHOUT being hooked up to your mains supply then when it's 50-75% give it a good recharge WITHOUT USING THE COMPUTER AT ALL a'la plugging the adapter into the machine with the battery inserted and without booting the computer. After it's fully charged up remove the battery and carry on using the machine mains power alone. Keep the battery somewhere cool (not near the central heating boiler cool) until you next wish to use it. I'd hate to see you posting in a few weeks complaining that the battery isn't charging or some such because you hadn't 'cycled' it now and again and the trickle charge it is getting whilst running on mains has ruined it beyond all redemption.

"The Li-ion does not like prolonged storage. Irreversible capacity loss occurs after 6 to 12 months, especially if the battery is stored at full charge and at warm temperatures. It is often necessary to keep a battery fully charged as in the case of emergency response, public safety and defense. Running a laptop (or other portable device) continuously on an external power source with the battery engaged will have the same effect."(from one of BobT's links on battery care) 

Just one other thing; when storing batteries that have been fully charged, when you next use them expect to see a drop in the charge..this 'leakage' is normal and can be kept to a minimum by using the battery and recharging at regular intervals.

Message Edited by bluetracker on 01-02-2004 06:50 PM

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@bluetracker wrote:

"The Li-ion does not like prolonged storage. Irreversible capacity loss occurs after 6 to 12 months, especially if the battery is stored at full charge and at warm temperatures. It is often necessary to keep a battery fully charged as in the case of emergency response, public safety and defense. Running a laptop (or other portable device) continuously on an external power source with the battery engaged will have the same effect."(from one of BobT's links on battery care) 

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Users:

I want to provide the links that bluetracker is quoting from:

• Caring for Your Batteries from Birth to Retirement.
• Battery storage ideas.

Might I say BobT that was one of your more useful postings. Some VERY good advice in them thar links peeps should take time out to read through them before they complain that their battery has 'died' at a young age.

Perhaps Dell could include a comprehensive 'BATTERY CARE' guide with every laptop they sell and e-mail exsisting customers with the info to make sure everyone gets the message on caring for a laptop battery?

That would be what I'd call "Customer care". But even then I suspect *some* will totally ignore it all and we'll still get peeps complaining of premature battery death.

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@bluetracker wrote:

Might I say BobT that was one of your more useful postings. Some VERY good advice in them thar links peeps should take time out to read through them before they complain that their battery has 'died' at a young age.

Perhaps Dell could include a comprehensive 'BATTERY CARE' guide with every laptop they sell and e-mail exsisting customers with the info to make sure everyone gets the message on caring for a laptop battery?

That would be what I'd call "Customer care". But even then I suspect *some* will totally ignore it all and we'll still get peeps complaining of premature battery death.

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bluetracker,

Actually, another customer had a link to one of these pages and I now include the information in some of my posts.  I will pass along your suggestion.