Battery - how to make it reach a good pensionable age

[Lizzie]

Have this puter since Feb '04. Just bought a new battery as the one I have doesn't last long and it generally just doesn't act healthy at the best of times.

Though i don't think i'll use the new one yet (had to get it shipped from California, Vaio don't stock them anymore), any hints, clues etc to make the new one last.



:smileygrin:

[tonybeard]

For all those Las Vagas style notebook users (operators relying solely on the mains without a battery in the bay) here is a link for youPower conditioners

[kee-lo_]

LOL get your point Tony

[diecerll]

Hi, a good gadget to avoid spikes and lighting dangers is a notebook surge arrester like this from APC:

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=PNOTEPROC8%2DEC

I have one.

[kee-lo_]

I have a surge protector which protects the incoming phone line but I think I'll get one of the new media ones where it protects RJ-45, TV, USB and power

[Lizzie]

hi guys, you getting all techie on me, heh.


Ok, I charged up the new battery and was using it today. The option to view the battery meter is turned on in power options but nothing shows in the taskbar, so i was going into control panel, power options and clicking on the tab to see how it was running. It was doing well until I ran a program (forgot about the battery only power ), i checked and the battery was down to 6%. I've it set to give me a warning at 30% and then another at 15%, so I'm thinking (and hoping) that I didn't get the warning because the program i ran just ate all the battery and the puter hadn't time to warn me.

Anyway, any one any idea why the meter won't show on the taskbar so I can keep a proper eye on it in the future?

as always :smileygrin:



edit i searched microsoft and they said to activate the option to view meter when i start up the puter. it worked!

[kee-lo_]

I remember this set of WAVs a friend had from Simposns that he used as battery warnings