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    Windows Battery Time remaining?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by altecxp, Mar 25, 2015.

  1. altecxp

    altecxp Notebook Consultant

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    When I got my laptop it used to show me the time remaining on the battery, but now its stopped and only shows percent.

    Any idea how to get it back?
     
  2. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Mine only shows %

    Download either BatteryBar Pro or BatteryCare. It will give you all the details you need on your battery. BatteryBar is worth the cost of the app IMHO. BatteryCare is free though.
     
  3. killkenny1

    killkenny1 Too weird to live, too rare to die.

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    My shows both on Windows 7.
    [​IMG]

    Forgot what it shows on Windows 8 lol.

    As for OP's situation, really not sure.
    What OS do you have. If Windows 7, when you hit Win+X does it show time remaining there. When did it stopped showing time? Did you install something in that time frame, or maybe you reinstalled your OS? It could be update/driver/software related.

    EDIT: while I was writing this, battery went down from 95%/1:14h to whatever per cent/18min lol, Man, my lappy's battery sure is dead.
     
  4. Falco152

    Falco152 Notebook Demon

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    I went through a few cases where it stops showing the estimate. (Which can affect tools like BatteryBar Pro, but it is far better than the Windows :) )

    Either:
    You updated the bios where it no longer passes sufficient battery info for it to calculate. [Workaround .... Downgrade or Mod it ]

    Or Using a non-"smart" battery (Typically non-OEM, but there are a few custom gaming vender sometimes don't use them like Clevos)

    Or using a nonstandard that requires installation of an OEM special tool that gives battery estimates.

    Or the "smart" chip data path is broken somewhere
     
  5. Mr.Koala

    Mr.Koala Notebook Virtuoso

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    It only shows percentage if the OS can not read battery current info form the standard interface. Those 3rd party apps use extrapolation.
     
  6. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    was about to ask was it still plugged in to mains but ive just checked and it doesnt matter if its on battery or mains mine also only shows % now without the remaining hours and minutes.
    only 10% wear level on mine.

    if you want the above mentioned free battery monitors you can find them both in my link below.
     
  7. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Win 8, 8.1 only shows % and always has.

    Get BatteryCare or BatteryBar for accurate battery information.
     
  8. alexhawker

    alexhawker Spent Gladiator

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    My Win 8.1 shows %-age and time, not sure where you got that info.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Peon likes this.
  9. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    I will try to find the link but there was something that said that only % shows with Win 8.1. I have yet to see a laptop that shows both time and % in Windows 8. Perhaps it's a modded battery app by Dell (assuming you mean your M4800).
     
  10. alexhawker

    alexhawker Spent Gladiator

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    Yes, the M4800.

    This is a clean install with no Dell battery or power utilities. I'm pretty sure Win 8.1 should show both. Sometimes it won't show time just after booting, presumably because it's still gathering data on power consumption in order to make an estimate.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  11. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    My Samsung with Windows 8.1 shows time and percentage in the form of: "2 hr 11 min (66%) remaining" in a tooltip as well as if you click the battery icon above the line "Select a power plan."

    Looks like this, but only a fraction of the time: http://www.viper007bond.com/2013/08/29/battery-life/
     
  12. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Hmm, of the laptops I currently have in my possession, two Asus, two Clevos, Samsung, HP, Lenovo, and Acer with Windows 8.1, none show the battery life. None. Only percent remaining. Are you @alexhawker and @namaiki running Win 8.1 Professional perhaps? None of these laptops are. That might be a difference too.
     
  13. Delta_V

    Delta_V Notebook Consultant

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    Windows 8.1 Pro here, and I only get a %, not a time remaining estimate.
     
  14. alexhawker

    alexhawker Spent Gladiator

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    Yup, 8.1 Pro, but I don't expect that this would be a Pro-only feature.
     
  15. alexhawker

    alexhawker Spent Gladiator

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    Just a thought - mine only shows a %-age while the notebook is plugged in and fully charged. Could that be it?
     
  16. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    I don't think so because all the laptops I mentioned only show % whether running off battery or plugged in. Quite the mystery.
     
  17. alexhawker

    alexhawker Spent Gladiator

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