Basic Power saving techniques for Notebooks and especially the COMPAQ 615 and the MSI EX630

 

Well,here are the basic tips to improve the battery life of your laptop:

1- Predetermine what you’ll want to do with the laptop in battery mode. --- This will help you determine how aggressive can you be in your pursuit to extend your battery life.

2- Keep your display dimmed as much as possible, because it’s one of the biggest power-hogs in you laptop. For example,you can get up to 2:30 hrs of DVD playback on the Compaq 615 and up to 2hrs on the MSI EX630 by keeping your display to the 30% Brightness setting.

3- Forget using most Linux distributions as an alternative OS, which will help you “open that one facebook page” more on battery. It is true that some Linux distributions could last out a bit more than Windows or MacOs, but to be able to reach that level of efficiency, you’ve got to have quite a bit knowledge how to debug your Linux.

4- Keep your WLAN card off when running on DC unless you need it! This way you could get some 20-30 minutes more in Ms Word or 15 mins of the new House MD eppy.

4.5- When you are using it, check in Power Options that it’s running in Maximum Powersaving mode. HOWEVER, if you are experiencing connectivity issues, use the next highest powersaving method until you get one that will keep you online,while still skimping on the battery usage

5- If you are able to do so, don’t leave both the WLAN and the Bluetooth module working at the same time (valid for at least the Compaq and the MSI)

6- Remove any idle accessories from the ‘book when' you’re using it on DC. Whenever possible, remove USB dongles,Hubs, Memory cards, Keyboards or Mice. Everything uses a bit of the battery, especially the firewire and USB accessories!

7- For the love of God, throttle your CPU if you’re just using you ‘book for web browsing or Standard Definition video watching on DC power. In the power options menu choose 5% minimum processor state and 50% maximum (ON BATTERY)!

8- Always use the latest drivers and BIOS available for your system. A nice touch would be to tweak the time to stand-by on battery for the sound card – around 30-60 seconds is a nice idea, because it will save you some 20-30 minutes of battery time on the MSI.

9- Avoid using a floppy(if you own one) or DVD/CD/BR when on DC power whenever possible!

10- Whenever applicable leave the ‘book in sleep mode or at least with a turned-down screen (like when you’re using it to listen to music)

11- Respect your battery – Don’t let it get too cold or too cold. Try not overusing it( Valid mostly for NiCd and NiMH, but also of some consideration for the Lithium ones)

12- And finally, try not overworking you lappy on DC, because 4hrs of Internet are equal to only about 90-120mins of World In Conflict or Modern Warfare 2.

bk109 out to finally flush it down the can! :D