Most laptops have a built-in battery that allows you to work on the device for some time without being connected to the network. Often such equipment is configured incorrectly, which leads to inefficient use of charge. You can also optimize all settings and set up a suitable power plan manually using the built-in tools operating system. However, it is much more convenient and more correct to perform this process through specialized software. Several representatives similar programs we will consider in this article.
The main purpose of Battery Eater is to test battery performance. It has a built-in unique test algorithm that will determine the approximate discharge rate, stability and condition of the battery in a short time. Such diagnostics are carried out automatically, and the user can only observe the process itself, and after that, get acquainted with the results obtained and, based on them, adjust the power supply.
From additional features and tools, I would like to note the presence of a general summary of the components installed in the laptop. In addition, there is also a test that allows you to determine the condition of the equipment, the speed of work and the load on it. You can also find more detailed information about the battery in the system information window. Battery Eater - free program and is available for download on the official website of the developer.
BatteryCare
Immediately after launching BatteryCare, the main window opens in front of the user, which displays basic data on the state of the laptop's battery. There is a scale of operating time and the exact percentage of battery charge. Below is the temperature of the CPU and hard drive. Additional Information about the installed battery is in a separate tab. The declared capacity, voltage and power are displayed here.
The settings menu contains a power control panel, which helps each user to set the necessary parameters that would be suitable for the battery installed in the device and maximize its operation without connecting to the network. In addition, BatteryCare has a well-implemented notification system, which allows you to always be aware of various events and battery level.
Battery Optimizer
The last representative on our list is Battery Optimizer. This program automatically diagnoses the battery status, and then displays detailed information about it and allows you to set up a power plan. The user is prompted to manually disable certain hardware and features in order to prolong the operation of the laptop without connecting to the network.
Battery Optimizer allows you to save multiple profiles, making it possible to instantly switch power plans to work in different conditions. In the software in question, all the actions performed are saved in a separate window. Not only their monitoring is available here, but also rollback. The notification system will allow you to receive messages about low battery or remaining time without connecting to the network. Battery Optimizer is freely available on the official website of the developer.
Above, we looked at several programs for calibrating a laptop battery. All of them work according to unique algorithms, provide a different set of tools and additional features. Choosing the right software is quite simple, you just need to build on its functionality and pay attention to the availability of tools of interest.
Battery calibration is an important milestone for portable laptop users who monitor the health of their devices.
Due to the nature of the operation, this moment, they need periodic adjustment before use so that the current charge is correctly determined
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When is the setup done?
The procedure is mandatory for new devices, which will give the user up-to-date information about the battery status.
The procedure will not eliminate physical wear and tear and defects in the structure of the batteries, but the battery life can be increased. At a certain level of charge, as a rule, by 30% the device goes into standby mode.
And if the controller shows that it has 30% left (and in reality this value is higher) and translates it into , then the current state of the capacity will be displayed.
In newer nickel-based cells, there is a so-called "memory effect".
It sort of remembers the charge level when there is mains power and does not discharge below this value, believing that this level corresponds to a full discharge.
Determine the battery capacity of a laptop computer
Before calibrating the battery, you should make sure that the operation is necessary, especially if there are no problems in determining the amount of charge.
- We launch it with administrator privileges, for example, by entering "cmd" in the "Run" window (Win + R) or through the search in Windows 10.
- Execute code in it "powercfg.exe -energy -output disk:\path\filename.html".
- We are waiting for the completion of the operation (marked by the closing of the window).
- We go to the specified directory and open the created .
To do this, you need a browser, and the functionality of IE or the built-in top ten is enough.
- We look through the report and find the capacity calculated by the controller and its value after the last full charge.
Calibration is carried out when the peak capacity of the battery is tens or more percent higher than the real one obtained as a result of its last charge.
Battery tuning techniques
There are two ways to make the controller work correctly:
Manual setting
It is performed in three simple steps and does not require third-party software.
1 We charge to the maximum value of 100%.
2 Disconnect the cable from the network and wait until its charge drops to zero.
3 We connect again(as soon as possible) and charge to the maximum.
It seems simple, but there is one caveat: when it drops to a certain level (about 30%), it goes into sleep mode, and therefore it will not work to achieve the desired effect in this way.
The following chain of actions will help to avoid such a situation (relevant for any Windows):
- We call the applet Power supply .
This is done through the search in Windows 10 or the control panel when visualizing its elements in the form of large icons.
- Click on the menu on the left "Create a power plan".
Here you can both edit the current plan and create a new one. Let's go the second way, so as not to distort standard settings standard plans.
- Create a new power scheme, give it a name and set high performance.
Introduction of the name and plan of the scheme
After the scheme will be automatically activated.
If it suits you, after charging and disconnecting from the network, you can restart and wait for the device to turn off by entering the BIOS menu, but you will have to wait longer, because the processor load in this case is minimal.
Automatic setting
Many developers ship their laptops with power management utilities. , for example, come with the Energy Management utility.
- Run the software and click on the gear icon to start the process.
- Click "Start", closing all third-party programs.
- We connect the power cord to the network, if it is not connected, and click "Continue".
The battery will be charged, discharged to zero, and charged again. It is not necessary to remove and connect the cable, and it is strictly not recommended to interrupt the process, as well as use the device.
Only then is success guaranteed.
BIOS
Those laptops that use the Phoenix BIOS I / O system have an integrated function for verification and calibration.
Third party software
If there is no desire / ability to do manipulations in, download applications like Battery Care or Battery Eater or Battery Mark if standard software is not expected to solve the problem.
The last program, after charging, loads the CPU with the task of calculating the never-ending value of Pi.
The utility will additionally allow you to conduct a comprehensive testing of the battery both during and in the event of its downtime.
A special algorithm will allow you to perform a couple of discharge-charge cycles for about an hour (the time depends on the capacity and degree of wear).
Hewlett-Packard ships laptops with HP Support Assistant.
The "My Computer" subsection contains tools for testing and debugging a portable PC.
Proper operation
Extend the time battery life following these tips will help:
Simple rules will also extend the service life.
Laptop battery calibration is an important step for laptop users who monitor the status of their devices.
Due to the peculiarities of functioning, which are currently obsolete, lithium-ion batteries, they need periodic adjustment before use so that the current charge is correctly determined
When is the setup done?
The procedure is mandatory for new devices, which will give the user up-to-date information about the battery status.
From time to time, when glitches appear (indicators are determined incorrectly by the controller) or the laptop does not work on battery power for very long, it is also recommended to tune its battery.
The procedure will not eliminate physical wear and tear and defects in the structure of the batteries, but the battery life can be increased. At a certain level of charge, as a rule, by 30% the device goes into standby mode.
And if the controller shows that it has 30% left (and in reality this value is higher) and puts it into sleep mode, then the current state of the capacity will be displayed.
In newer nickel-based cells, there is a so-called “memory effect” - it sort of remembers the charge level when there is mains power and does not discharge below this value, believing that this level corresponds to a full discharge.
Determine the battery capacity of a laptop computer
Before calibrating the battery, you should make sure that the operation is necessary, especially if there are no problems in determining the amount of charge. This is done through command line.
- We launch it with administrator privileges, for example, by entering "cmd" in the "Run" window (Win + R) or through the search in Windows 10.
- We execute the code “powercfg.exe -energy –output disk:\path\file_name.html” in it.
- We are waiting for the completion of the operation (marked by the closing of the window).
- We go to the specified directory and open the created in html format report.
To do this, you need a browser, and the functionality of IE or Edge built into the top ten is enough.
- We look through the report and find the capacity calculated by the controller and its value after the last full charge.
Calibration is carried out when the peak capacity of the battery is tens or more percent higher than the real one obtained as a result of its last charge.
Battery tuning techniques
There are two ways to make the controller work correctly:
- manually - more reliable and fast way;
- in automatic mode– through the BIOS or special programs.
Manual setting
It is performed in three simple steps and does not require third-party software.
1. Charge up to the maximum value of 100%.
2. Disconnect the cable from the network and wait until its charge drops to zero.
3. Connect again (as soon as possible) and charge to the maximum.
It seems simple, but there is one caveat: when it drops to a certain level (about 30%), the laptop goes into sleep mode, and therefore it will not work to achieve the desired effect in this way.
The following chain of actions will help to avoid such a situation (relevant for any Windows):
- Call the Power applet.
This is done through the search in Windows 10 or the control panel when visualizing its elements in the form of large icons.
- Click "Create a power plan" in the menu on the left.
Here you can both edit the current plan and create a new one. Let's go the second way, so as not to distort the standard settings of standard plans.
- Create a new power scheme, give it a name, and set it to high performance.
Introduction of the name and plan of the scheme
- Open advanced power options.
- We prohibit turning off the display and sending the laptop to sleep.
After the scheme will be automatically activated.
If it suits you, after charging and disconnecting from the network, you can restart and wait for the device to turn off by entering the BIOS menu, but you will have to wait longer, because the processor load in this case is minimal.
Automatic setting
Many developers ship their laptops with power management utilities. Lenovo, for example, comes with the Energy Management utility.
Run the software and click on the gear icon to start the process.
Click "Start", closing all third-party programs.
Connect the power cord to the network, if it is not connected, and click "Continue".
The battery will be charged, discharged to zero, and charged again. It is not necessary to remove and connect the cable, and it is strictly not recommended to interrupt the process, as well as use the device. Only then is success guaranteed.
BIOS
Those laptops that use the Phoenix BIOS I / O system have an integrated function for verification and calibration.
1. If there is such a BIOS, we enter it using F2, Esc or Del while restarting the PC.
2. Go to the "Boot" tab.
3. We call the item "Smart Battery Calibration"
4. We confirm the start of the process by clicking "Yes".
5. At the end of the operation, exit the BIOS.
Advice! It is important that the battery is fully charged during the calibration process, and the laptop is unplugged, otherwise an error will be displayed.
Third party software
If there is no desire / ability to do manipulations in the BIOS / UEFI, download applications like Battery Care or Battery Eater or Battery Mark if standard software is not expected to solve the problem.
The last program, after charging, loads the CPU with the task of calculating the never-ending value of Pi.
The utility will additionally allow you to conduct a comprehensive testing of the battery both at peak loads on the hardware, and in case of its downtime.
A special algorithm will allow you to perform a couple of discharge-charge cycles for about an hour (the time depends on the capacity and degree of wear).
Hewlett-Packard ships laptops with HP Support Assistant.
The "My Computer" subsection contains tools for testing and debugging a portable PC.
Proper operation
To extend battery life, follow these tips:
- End unnecessary tasks and processes, each of which consumes a battery.
- Reduce the display brightness level to the lowest possible without affecting the operation of the device.
- Keep an eye on the list of software that runs with Windows.
- Do not overheat it above the specified temperature limit.
- Remove the battery when not in use for a long time.
- Try not to use in the cold.
- Bring the battery to full discharge as rarely as possible.
- Perform a full discharge and charge cycle a couple of times a year.
Simple rules will also extend the service life.
Each of us has faced the problem of reducing the life of portable devices. If before your mobile phone or the laptop worked for 2-3 days, now you need to charge it every day, have you noticed? It's all about the battery, or rather, in its volume. In this article, we will look at the principles of calibrating modern lithium-ion batteries, it's a simple process, you can do it.
During operation, the volume of the battery decreases, this is due to the gradual knocking down of the battery controller. A downed controller can indicate that the battery is charged when it is only 70% full, thus significantly reducing the duration of your device.
As mentioned above, modern lithium-ion batteries consist of a controller and battery cells. The controller monitors the voltage in each of the cells, so the voltage is maximum, which is equal to 100% battery charge or 4.2 volts of voltage in the battery cells.
In order to return the device to its former working life, the battery is calibrated, this is a simple process and following simple instructions below, anyone can do it.
Battery calibration consists of three items:
1. We charge the battery up to 100%.
2. We discharge the battery to 0.
3. We charge the battery up to 100%.
Only 3 short points, now let's figure out how to do it right. After you charge the battery to the maximum, it will need to be discharged to full zero, while the values \u200b\u200bof the charge level of the battery cells on the controller will equalize, at which point they will all be equal to 0%. After that, the battery can be called calibrated, in order to consolidate success, it is necessary to charge the battery again to 100%.
Now about the pitfalls of the process, in order to discharge the device, it must be disconnected from the power supply, but as soon as you do this, the laptop will change the power consumption mode to a more economical one and turn off the display without your long attention, and then go into sleep mode.
Thus, you will need more than one day to discharge the battery completely. But you and I are practical people and value our time, so we need to discharge the battery quickly, and, therefore, prohibit the device from falling asleep. For a ban automatic shutdown laptop when the mains power is off, you need to change the power plan, you can do it like this:
Go to Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options
In the menu on the left, select the item Create a power plan. Set the switch to high performance, this will allow the computer to use all its power and drain the battery faster, enter the name of the power plan. Battery calibration- would be a reasonable name.
In power plan settings we forbid turning off the display or switching to sleep mode by selecting the appropriate values in the opening windows.
A plan for a quick battery calibration has been created, select it and wait for the result.
If you do not have a strong desire to create new power plans, or for some reason this is not possible, use another method, go to BIOS.
In order to enter the BIOS, when you turn on the laptop, but before the operating system starts loading, press the key Del, this is the most common key, but there may be options, such as: F2, F10, Esc.
A reasonable option would be to quickly press these 4 keys immediately after turning on the device. While in BIOS, the laptop will not be able to turn off the screen or go to sleep, it will work until the last.
The disadvantages of this method will be the lack of a battery indicator in the BIOS and the inability to predict when the laptop will turn off. In addition, a discharged battery must be immediately connected to the network, to start the charging process, in order to avoid negative consequences, it is better not to hesitate.
In addition to manual calibration methods, laptop owners Lenovo and HP can use the official utilities from the manufacturer, I will leave links to their downloads at the end of the article.
I would also like to add a few tips regarding the operation of lithium-ion batteries:
1. Batteries feel bad at temperatures from minus 10 to plus 35. At low temperatures, it is significantly is accelerating the battery is discharged, it may fail, at high Celsius values there is a possibility of an explosion, be careful when using batteries and observe temperature conditions.
2. Lithium-ion batteries should not be completely discharged, it will harm them.
3. Manufacturers do not recommend keeping the laptop constantly connected to the power grid, this accelerates battery wear. Lenovo laptops have a special mode that uses only 50% of the battery when powered by the mains, thus extending its life.
That's all, reliable batteries for you.
The laptop is considered by many owners as portable device, which, if necessary, you can take with you on a trip, to the country or just to work in a cafe. In such situations, it is important that the computer can work offline as long as possible - without connecting to the network.
Why calibrate a laptop battery
Laptop batteries have a certain level of charge, which cannot be exceeded due to the chemical processes occurring in the device. Due to incorrect operation of the controller battery, which is a consequence of connecting a laptop to a power source when different levels charge, maximum capacity battery may decrease.
Example: The actual battery charge may be at 90% and the controller will detect it as 50%. When the charge drops to 5-10% according to the controller, the laptop will go into sleep mode. In this case, the actual level of battery capacity will be at the level of 45-50%, but the owner of the computer will not be able to use the remaining energy.
To avoid situations in which the controller incorrectly determines the level of charge of the laptop battery, it is necessary to calibrate the battery from time to time. Its meaning is to "remind" the battery controller of which charge level is the maximum and which is the minimum.
When to calibrate a laptop battery
There are recommendations from battery manufacturers that calibration should be done every 2-3 months, depending on the intensity of work at the computer. However, it is easier to determine the need for battery calibration by checking its parameters by a specific point in time. To find out if a battery needs calibration, do the following:
It is worth noting that calibrating the battery in any case will not make the indicators of full charge and rated capacity identical. This is due to the chemical processes occurring in the battery, which do not allow the battery to be restored to its original state.
How to calibrate laptop battery automatically
Before proceeding with the calibration of the laptop battery, it should be said that this procedure will take several hours. Do not use a laptop during automatic calibration of the battery pack.
Almost every laptop manufacturer installs various software. Among them, most often, there is a utility that is responsible for battery operation. Through it, you can find out about the status of the battery, adjust the power settings, and, among other things, calibrate. Below we will consider the battery calibration option using the example of the Energy Management application that comes with Lenovo laptops, but the principle of operation of such programs is identical.
To calibrate a Lenovo laptop battery through the Energy Management app, you need to:
The calibration process assumes that the laptop is charged to 100%, and then discharged to 0%. During calibration in automatic mode, do not use the computer and do not close the lid of the laptop, since the screen is the main consumer when the battery is low.
Note: If the laptop could not find the "native" application for calibrating the battery, you can use third party solutions. There are dozens free utilities with similar functionality, for example: Battery Eater or BatteryCare.
It is worth noting that some laptop manufacturers do not install a separate application for diagnosing and calibrating the battery, but integrate this functionality into the BIOS. For example, this is what HP does, which embeds in Phoenix BIOS utility to calibrate the battery. It's called Smart Battery Calibration and can be found under the Boot tab.
In others BIOS versions and on other computer models, the location of the utility may differ. Before flattering the BIOS to use the battery calibration feature, it is recommended that you read the information on the computer manufacturer's website and make sure that such functionality is provided.
How to manually calibrate a laptop battery
Since the calibration procedure involves a complete charge-discharge of the battery and no more manipulations, it can be performed without third party applications in manual mode. To do this, you must first change Windows settings, because laptop computers go into sleep mode when the battery charge drops to critically low values, and this will prevent the battery from completely draining. To calibrate the battery in a laptop, set the power supply of the device as follows:
After that, the newly created power plan will be automatically applied. Next, you need to fully charge the laptop battery and pull out the power adapter. After that, you need to wait until the computer is completely discharged, while you can use it, but do not forget to save your work, because the laptop can turn off at any time. When the computer battery is completely discharged, you need to charge it again to 100%, after which you can switch the computer to standard power mode, since the calibration process will come to an end.
