Battery info tool

[wsalomon]

I've just purchased some new 41+ (6-cell) and 41++ (9-cell) batteries. They claim to be Lenovo OEMs, we certainly know, there are knockoffs and unauthorized cell replacements that can look fairly similar.

I had an archived copy of PC Doctor ThinkVantage Toolbox (6.0.5849.23). It works with Windows 10 32-bit, but throws many errors for old Windows components (like Disk Defrag, Network Conifg, etc.), but eventually gives the whole System Information, including battery info that looks "real".

If I recall correctly, older versions of Power Manager software included info about the number of battery cycles, etc. that go beyond just FRU #, manufacturer, serial number, charge capacity, working capacity, and charge state.

Any suggestions of tools to find this out?

Thanks!

[rkawakami]

If you are asking about Windows 10 tools to get this information, I can't help. However, Windows XP and 7 offers Power Manager utilities which can return the data you mentioned. If you can't/don't have XP or 7, an alternate may be to use Linux. I understand that there's some programs which can read the battery status.

ref: http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Tp_smapi

[rumbero]

[...] an alternate may be to use Linux. I understand that there's some programs which can read the battery status.

The recommended standard tool in Linux is TLP: linrunner.de/en/tlp/tlp.html. It is included nowadays with the most relevant distributions.

Typical sample output:

Code: Select all

[root]~ # tlp-stat -b
--- TLP 0.8 --------------------------------------------

+++ ThinkPad Extended Battery Functions
tp-smapi   = active
tpacpi-bat = inactive (kernel module 'acpi_call' not installed)

+++ ThinkPad Battery Status: BAT0 (Main / Internal)
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/manufacturer               = Panasonic
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/model                      = 92P1133
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/manufacture_date           = 2007-07-28
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/first_use_date             = 2008-01-12
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/cycle_count                =    305
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/design_capacity            =  84240 [mWh]
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/last_full_capacity         =  67150 [mWh]
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/remaining_capacity         =  43400 [mWh]
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/remaining_percent          =     65 [%]
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/remaining_running_time_now = not_discharging [min]
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/remaining_charging_time    = not_charging [min]
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/power_now                  =      0 [mW]
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/power_avg                  =      0 [mW]
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/state                      = idle

/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/start_charge_thresh        =     65 [%]
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/stop_charge_thresh         =     95 [%]
/sys/devices/platform/smapi/BAT0/force_discharge            =      0

[root]~ #

[wsalomon]

Yes, this is precisely what I was looking for.

If worse comes to worst, I'll try to find my old XP image and try to use that.

Thanks for the thoughts.

- Will

[Johan]

Will:

Another option: Under Windows (XP and upwards, at least incl. 7; don't know about later versions) the freeware program "System Information for Windows" [SIW] will provide all the same information about the battery as Lenovo's Power Management tool does.

If you can find SIW ver. 2011 build 1029 (SIW 2011.10.29) go grab that; it's the free fullblown version as opposed to some of the more recent versions of SIW which are "professional" meaning that they willl do (probably!) essentially the same, but that you'll however have to pay for them!

Yet another (nice and free!) option is HWinfo - it will also provide you all information about "smart" batteries. A very useful tool indeed!

Johan