Powersaving [T400s + Win7 64]

[Paul_S]

What are the things to pay attention to?
At the Moment i've only installed "ThinkPad Power Management Driver" but not the Manager.
Is there something this tool can the normal Windows Energy Manager can't?

There are some things i don't like at the normal Windows Energy Manager:
-I can't a new Energy Profiles
-via the tray icon i can only switch between two profiles
-does windows use really all possabilities for saving energy ?
for example I discoverd some energy/performance options in the Menu frome the graphic-chip (Intel Graphics )
does Windows also use them ?

What does the "ThinkPad Energie-Manager" do better than the normal Windows Energy Manager?

[Paul_S]

So after a while I installed the Lenovo energy Manager.
First of all, i think its a bit clutter ...

But it seams it improves the lifetime of my accumulator:
The fingerpint reader is only active if needed (System Logon).
the optical drive also.
Shutting down the System the display back light immediately gets shade/dimmed.


But I don't get everything I want. I only get a accu capacity of less than 4 houers. (about 3 i think)
So i want more: what can I do?
First thing i realised that the display back light is a good point. Put it to a lower LVL is a good chose to save power.
But what can i do also?
->Is there a Way to tell the system that only one netork adapter is needet at a time ?
the other should be shut down.
-> Whats with the ATM and the TPM dose it help deactivating them in BIOS?
-> what is with the VT-Virtualisation of the CPU?
-> are there any other Modules can be switched of ? (cam, micro, speaker, ... ???)


Also i heard that it is not good to charge and uncharge the accumulator all the time not to the limits (0-100%)
so it would bee better to uncarge it complete and charge than again.
so is ith therefor better to set the charge lvl of the accumulator to about 3% ?


Is there a faster way switching the Energy-Profile than opening the Manager?
it should be Like right-klick on the accu-symbol an chose ...

[GrandMasterKhan]

IMO you should use the Lenovo software as it helps to preserve battery life. Can leave on AC without actually using or cycling the battery. The software is not clunky. IMO, the best implementation I've seen in a NB relative to AC/DC power management.

[dr_st]

If I may ask, Paul -

What battery are you using (3-cell or 6-cell), and how much battery life do you get from it (average tasks)?

I've seen a few complaints lately of disappointing battery life in Win7 with T400s (<3 hours with 6-cell, compared to the 5 hours that Lenovo rates it for, and evidently some users did manage to attain).

[Paul_S]

I got a 6 Cell Accu i Think (standard?)
Live time (100%) ~3h (backlight at a high lvl (max))

IMO you should use the Lenovo software as it helps to preserve battery life. Can leave on AC without actually using or cycling the battery. The software is not clunky. IMO, the best implementation I've seen in a NB relative to AC/DC power management.

The first ive seen.
nothing to compare with


Things i don't know

->Is there a Way to tell the system that only one netork adapter is needet at a time ?
the other should be shut down.
-> Whats with the ATM and the TPM dose it help deactivating them in BIOS?
-> what is with the VT-Virtualisation of the CPU?
-> are there any other Modules can be switched of ? (cam, micro, speaker, ... ???)

Is there a way to switch of TrackPoint and TouchPad when using the bluetooth mouse ?

[dr_st]

Thanks for the information.

~3h is a bit less than one would expect, even on max brightness. A few people I know reported similar findings with Win7. Something is not quite right with the power management there I believe.

[SHoTTa35]

For a T400 on max brightness (LED or CCFL?) with a 6 cell, i would say about 3-4hrs is about what's expected with a new battery.

[Paul_S]

For a T400 on max brightness (LED or CCFL?) with a 6 cell, i would say about 3-4hrs is about what's expected with a new battery.

it is a t400s

Thanks for the information.
~3h is a bit less than one would expect, even on max brightness. A few people I know reported similar findings with Win7. Something is not quite right with the power management there I believe.

deactivated the touchpad, Energy Manager set to maximum Power --> about 3:30 h
with my profile --> 4:20 (not shure, is toggling ... 4:11, 4:45, 4:32)

very interesting, i think i have to test a bit more