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    Windows XP Laptop Battery Drain Problem Fix

    Discussion in 'Notebook News and Reviews' started by touradg, May 18, 2006.

  1. touradg

    touradg Notebook Enthusiast

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    Microsoft released a fix for laptops running with Intel Core Duo and Windows XP with the battery drain issue.The issue stems from Windows XP not able to enter idle mode when the processor clocks down in sleep or C-states, the battery drains faster than expected. Laptops with USB controllers will never turn off is another issue relating to this.

    From Microsoft:

    This problem may occur if one of the following conditions is true:

    • The portable computer cannot enter the deeper Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) processor idle sleep states.

    This occurs when the USB 2.0 driver leaves the asynchronous scheduler component running continuously. This prevents the processor from entering the deeper ACPI processor idle sleep states, or C-states. C-states save power when the processor is not busy. These states range from C0 to C3 or C4. Typically, an idle portable computer uses the C3 and C4 states to preserve battery power. If an idle portable computer cannot enter or maintain the C3 or C4 states, the battery power drains more quickly. This problem is fixed by installing the download that is available in this article.

    • The USB host controller is unable to turn off.

    This typically occurs when devices are removed from a nested USB hub that is attached to the host controller. The host controller does not recognize the device removal. Therefore, the controller is never turned off. This prevents the processor from entering the ACPI processor idle sleep states. This problem is not fixed by installing the download that is available in this article.

    • The USB host controller uses the periodic scheduler for USB 2.0 devices.

    This typically occurs when devices that rely on the periodic scheduler are attached to the host controller. These may be isochronous (Isoch) devices such as audio devices. Alternatively, they may be interrupt devices such as mouse or keyboard. This problem is not fixed by installing the download that is available in this article.

    Download the fix from Microsoft:
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918005?

    news from laptoplogic.com

    regards
    Touradg
     
    touradg, May 18, 2006
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  2. digital8doug

    digital8doug Notebook Consultant

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    Note: Only the ACPI idle to C3 or C4 is fixed by this.
    The USB Host controller problems (2nd & 3rd) still remain! Are there any fixes for USB Host yet that work? Many link to download 918005, but fail to read the last line.
     
    digital8doug, May 18, 2006
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