tp_smapi strange behaviour on Manjaro

[Neil]

I've installed tp_smapi on Manjaro, an Arch based disto, and while I'm able to edit the start_charge_threshold as root, whenever I try to open the stop charge config file I get this error:

Code: Select all

Failed to read from file '/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/stop_charge_thresh': Operation not supported

I've never run into this on other (Debian) installs. Anyone know what's up with this on Manjaro (Arch)?

[jonzilla]

Hi Neil, what model is it? I am experiencing the same thing from my T42, which I unfortunately expected. According to the wiki, some models don't have a working stop_charge_thresh under Linux. I have tried echoing a value anyway, which of course fails. I'm using Debian/LXDE BTW.

There does appear to be a workaround though, for models other than the T42p, which is discussed here. I haven't tried that yet on my T42, but I do have it in a temporary (time limited) holding pattern right now by watching the battery charge manually and echoing a value into the inhibit_charge_minutes file (which could likely be exploited by a small script, in conjunction with remaining_percent if one was clever enough to write such a thing).

[Neil]

Didn't notice that I had not mentioned which ThinkPad this was on...it's an X40.

I've since managed to totally break the Manjaro install, and moved one X40 to AntiX, and the other (that was running Manjaro) to LMDE. Have not had this issue with tp_smapi on either. Debian based distros seem easiest to manage on ThinkPads to me.

[jonzilla]

Hey right on, yeah it looks like the X40 is listed as having a functional stop_charge_thresh with tp-smapi, must have been a quirk with manjaro or something. You're right about Debian, I'm pretty happy with the way mine is runnin on it (using LXDE as my DE).