Is Windows 7 killing laptop/notebook batteries? Windows 7 was supposed to enhance mobile computing by maximising battery life. It boasted loads of power saving features and enhancements.

However, it has been widely reported in recent weeks that Windows 7 is actually draining battery life much quicker than the user expects and it also displays the following message:

“Consider replacing your battery. There is a problem with your battery, so your computer might shut down suddenly.”

According to Microsoft, Windows 7 uses firmware information of the laptop battery to determine whether it requires to be replaced and is currently working with it’s hardware partners to resolve this issue.

There’s a very long thread on Microsoft TechNet forum on this issue. The problem also seems to affect a wide range of laptop manufacturers including, Acer, Dell, HP, Sony and Toshiba.

If you are considering getting a spare laptop battery, just to get a little bit more out of your Windows 7 laptop, then don’t forget DuracellDirect carries an extensive range of laptop batteries. However, the universal external battery pack may be a better solution as it plugs into the laptops power socket with one of several special tips supplied. So, even if you change your laptop or have an old one gathering dust, the external battery pack may still work and keep you powered up for longer.

Microsoft has revealed it is investigating battery problems apparently plaguing Windows 7 laptops.

Users have complained of battery issues – including premature warnings that the power is exhausted, as well as more dire demands to replace the battery – for months, long before Windows 7 went final.

Microsoft claimed that the problem was in the Windows 7 tool that decided when the battery had been drained, or was unable to hold a charge.

“We are investigating this issue in conjunction with our hardware partners, which appears to be related to system firmware (BIOS),” a Microsoft spokeswoman said, referring to the firmware that boots the PC and initialises the hardware components.

“The warning received in Windows 7 uses firmware information to determine if battery replacement is needed.”

A very long thread on Microsoft’s support site dedicated to Windows 7 battery problems kicked off in early June 2009, and remains active; more than a dozen new messages were posted on this week, for example.

While some users on that thread agree with Microsoft that the warnings are spurious, others believe that the new operating system has permanently crippled their batteries.

“I have tried charging the battery while the computer is off or in another OS, and it does not work,” said someone identified as ‘DanLee81′.

“It will charge for a few minutes, then stop. The battery will say it’s full when it actually only has a few minutes of charge, and when you take out the A/C, it will either last for a few minutes, or completely shut off your laptop. This behavior happens in all [OSes] after Windows 7 damages the battery, not just within Windows 7.”

Others reported that their batteries underperformed, even after they abandoned Windows 7 and returned their laptops to running Windows XP or Vista, or switched to Linux .

“Rolling back does not work either,” said “Dreklia” in another message. “I feel rip[ped] off!”

In some cases, Windows 7 claimed that brand new laptops were unable to hold a charge.

“Until yesterday it used [to] state that I had 7 hours battery life after a full charge; today after a full charge, it states that I have 4 hours left,” said ‘tigger1962′ of a three-week-old Toshiba Satellite T110.

“I’ve only had it on now 15 minutes and my charge has now gone down to 2 hours 24 minutes.”

Users reported a wide variety of affected makes and models, including laptops from HP F1742A Battery,Dell 312-0461 Battery.

Laptop owners are not the only ones who have noticed battery irregularities in Windows 7. Last summer, reviewers for several publications and sites said that Windows 7 slashed ACER BT.3506.001 battery life by almost a third when compared to XP.

That ran counter to Microsoft’s promise that Windows 7 would actually increase battery endurance .

Microsoft said it was looking for a common cause to the battery complaints.

“We are working with our partners to determine the root cause and will update the [support] forum with information and guidance as it becomes available,” the spokeswoman said.

From Lenovo, HP’s consumer laptops built-in one button to resume watching, household notebook and battery laptop battery has begun to draw on the advantages of business notebook and batterys, but security has been strengthened consumer notebook and batterys can also be used on notebook and battery reliability requirements are not too high occasions. Commercial domestic tilapia notebook and battery both at work as working with machines, but they can go home from work as a tool for entertainment, is very convenient.

Shenzhou 4 new Centrino notebook and battery platform, whether from the elegant workmanship and configuration aspects to meet the needs of working families and office workers; Lenovo F41 stylish without losing its poise, Centrino 4 platform performance, while also raising a lot; Hewlett-Packard Centrino 4 Platform DV series notebook and batterys after a full upgrade, but the price than 10000, if you do not want to spend too much money, dv2408 Core Duo version is also an option. Here we take a look at the following paragraphs rather than frivolous fashion notebook and GD761 battery.

Shenzhou elegant T500N

From the appearance and workmanship we can see the progress of the Shenzhou, while this magnificent notebook and battery screen also committed to no bright spots.

Shenzhou elegant T500N using the full Santa Rosa platform, processor Core 2 Duo T5250, upgrading front-side bus 800MHz, 2 cache of 2MB. 1GB memory and 120GB hard drive combination of a higher level so that overall system performance. And the NVidia GeForce 8400M GS 256MB graphics card supports DirectX 10 graphics interface, perfect, game performance, outstanding. The same time, genuine vista Home Premium operating system pre-installed in this configuration under Vista has a better combination of hardware KD476 platform.

T500N for a new generation of Shenzhou elegant notebook and battery, 15.4-inch screen and unique design can cope with most of the explicit entertainment requirements. At the same time configured Core 2 T5250 processor, while the 1GB memory and 120GB hard drive can meet the needs of the office environment a variety of applications on the system performance requirements.
Lenovo F41G

Reference Price: 7500 yuan

Configuration, this model uses Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 processor (clocked at 1.5GHz, FSB 667MHz, with 2MB secondary cache) and 965-series chipsets. The CPU uses Socket P interface, has a 2MB secondary cache and support for 64-bit computing. In addition, this notebook and battery comes with a bright 14.1-inch XGA TFT screen, 2GB RAM, 120GB hard drive, Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics, built-in RAMBO drive.

Interface connection, the Lenovo Tianyi F41 has three USB2.0 interface, PCMCIA interface, a VGA port, 1 RJ11 interface, one RJ45 interface, microphone, headphone / audio TD347 output, an S-Video port, notebook and battery keyhole , DC power supply interface, a 1394 interface, three in one card reader, PCMCIA interface. Wireless network, using the Intel 3945ABG wireless network module to meet your mobile needs.

Lenovo’s laptop line transmission of the German concept of car upgrades, while maintaining the fine traditions of previous generations they find change in the details. F41 makes a will recognize this is a Tin Yat F Series notebook and batterys, while Santa Rosa platform upgrade, after more than 15% performance increase.

HP Pavilion dv2408TX

Reference Price: 8300 yuan

HP Pavilion dv2304TX application of an advanced “HP HP Imprint Ying (HP Imprint) technology to its notebook and battery computer design, using a new material called Nissha, the material has a bright metallic-like luster, but not would have produced Inspiron 1000 a strong light reflection, and are not afraid of climate change and anti-UV, In addition, its dirt and anti-wear performance of a very prominent, and this advantage in a notebook and battery design is especially important.

Configuration with Hewlett-Packard Pavilion dv2408TX Intel Core Duo processor T2450, this processor with 2M 2 cache, 533MHz front side bus, clocked at 2.0GHz. Motherboard Intel 945PM + ICH7M chipset, graphics are still using the NVIDIA Geforce Go7200 graphics card.

The notebook and battery memory 1024M DDR2 memory, maximum support 2GB of memory, hard drives are 120GB (5400 transfer) SATA hard drives. At the same time built-in DVD burner. Bright 14.1-inch screen display with a bright mirror HP Bright View Screen Technology. Built-in 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN cards, wireless hotspots for your convenience in a place where wireless Inspiron 2200 Internet access. All cover design uses a suction-formed non-locking technology, the screen above the built-in 1.3 million pixel camera.

HP Pavilion dv2408TX using a high frequency of the Core Duo processor, 800MHz front-side bus processors, although not efficient, but there is still a very good performance, but a lot cheaper prices.

Double your autonomy
Before, your only solution to have a decent battery for your laptop was to buy an extra one. Now, there’s a lighter, more efficient, and cheaper alternative: Battery Doubler! Because it doesn’t use standard techniques (dim screen light, etc.), but finds out what to turns off what isn’t needed, such as, for example, the USB ports, you can get up to twice autonomy without sacrifice comfort.
# Decrease recharge time
Your battery recharges much faster if your computer isn’t turned on. That’s a fact. Let Battery Doubler redefine a few computer facts – with its Turbo Charge technology, increase up to 10% battery recharge speed when your computer is turned on.
# Recalibrate damaged batteries
After using your battery a lot without paying attention to discharge and recharge it fully every time, its performance becomes very low. With Battery Doubler, simply run the recalibration wizard that does the entire job for you – automatically!
# Easy to use
From the configuration window to the battery status indicator, features, Battery Doubler excels at ease-of use. Our interface fully respects Microsoft’s guidelines and is very intuitive. Because you don’t always want to read a 300-pages manual before using a software, you will understand how to use Battery Doubler in no time.
# And much more
Battery Doubler features other great functions, such as telling you in hours:minutes your battery’s autonomy! It is impossible to list all of Battery Doubler’s functions on a single webpage, so why don’t you download it and find out how much better your laptop is with it?

Sony is recalling 90,000 of its Vaio laptop batteries across China and Japan following recent battery recalls from other PC makers.
Rumors are also circulating that Toshiba is set to sue Sony, Sony laptop battery after it was forced to recall 340,000 laptop batteries made by Sony.
Sony said its recall is preemptive, and not a reaction to any particular problem. “There isn’t a problem with the Vaio itself but after the problems with the other manufacturers, we decided (the recall was) something we had to do,” a Sony spokesman said.

Over the past two months, computer makers including Apple Computer, Sony PCGA-BP2S Battery, Sony PCGA-BP2T Battery, Sony PCGA-BP2V Battery, Sony PCGA-BP4V Battery, Dell, Fujitsu, IBM, Lenovo and Hitachi have recalled Sony batteries.

Mark Blowers, an analyst from Butler Group, told Silicon.com that the battery recall has “grown into a huge problem.”

“One moment it’s one or two overheating batteries, now it’s a manufacturing problem,” he said.

The Sony battery recall is isolated within Japan and China but the analyst said he “can’t believe it’s not a global problem.” He added: Sony “(doesn’t) really know what the problem is so can’t restrict recalls to a certain country.”

If Toshiba files suit against Sony, it would be the first company affected by the Sony lithium-ion battery recall to seek compensation.

Blowers said Sony offered to cover the cost of replacing the Toshiba batteries, Sony PCGA-BP2T Battery, as it did with every other company with battery problems.

“Toshiba is worried about its brand being damaged,” he said. “Toshiba may be gesticulating to get a better deal or more recompense with this move.”

Reacting to rumors of the suit, Toshiba said in a statement: “We are studying various possibilities but nothing has been decided at this time and we are not commenting on rumors or speculations.”

Sony delays latest Transmeta notebook
Sony will delay the release of its CIMV PictureBook from the fourth quarter to January 2002 due to shortages of Transmeta’s 5800 Crusoe processor, a Sony representative said Monday. The Crusoe processor has been delayed because of difficulties associated with producing the chip in large volumes. The CIMV will be the third Transmeta notebook from Sony.

Sony loads up ultralight notebooks
Sony unveiled on Monday a trio of ultralight notebooks with bigger hard drives and faster processors than their predecessors.
The models are additions to the Vaio R505 lineup, which has been a retail success for Sony. Prices for the notebooks, which weigh 3.75 pounds and are 1-inch thick, range between $1,599 and $2,599.

The Vaio R505JS features an 850MHz Intel Pentium III, a 12.1-inch screen, 256MB of RAM and a 30GB hard drive. The $2,599 notebook also includes a docking station with a CD-rewritable/DVD combo drive.

The Vaio R505JE offers the same processor and screen but excludes the drive. With 128MB of RAM and a 20GB hard drive, it costs $1,899.

Meanwhile, the new R505JL offers a 750MHz Pentium III, a 12.1-inch screen, Sony PCGA-BP2S Battery, Sony PCGA-BP2T Battery, Sony PCGA-BP2V Battery, Sony PCGA-BP4V Battery,128MB of RAM and a 15GB hard drive. For its $1,599 price tag, the machine also includes a docking station with a DVD drive.

The R505JS and R505JE come with a mail-in rebate for a free Vaio wireless LAN card,Sony PCGA-BP2S Battery, which normally costs $149.

The new R505 notebooks, which will come with either Windows 2000 or Windows XP, will ship next month.

Sony has traditionally been a strong player in the retail PC market, but the company is also making an effort to sell Vaio notebooks to small and medium-sized business. The company recently inked an agreement with TechData, a distributor associated with those markets.

On Monday, Sony also launched six new full-sized notebooks and split its FX Series into two parts. Sony’s new FXA series notebooks will offer Advanced Micro Devices processors. Its FX series will feature Intel chips.

Sony’s FXA36, for example, offers a 1GHz AMD Athlon 4, a 15-inch screen and a CD-RW/DVD combo drive for $1,800.

If only change some Windows setup, can make the portable PC batteries prolonging 30 to 40 minutes, you think how? Do you like some application may be very power consumption. If mastered the secret, must extend notebook battery life is very easy. Besides learn how to find the great power, and other experts, of course.
Switch to the Windows 98 is most suitable for use Windows system is a journey Windows 98, it provides the latest laptop machine for the power management function, can reduce the consumption of electricity parts to meet the practical needs. Don’t choose Windows NT 4 Workstation, it offers only a limited power saving function.
Power Management mode to use Windows 98 Power Management characteristic, should click Start menu, select Settings menu, select the Control Panel, click on Power Management options. Make sure you choose a Portable/Laptop mode. Many notebook standard chose very power of Home/Office are being or On mode.
Custom power management options to tell a computer in your power set stopped working after system to wait long can close very power applications. Beginning can choose Portable/Laptop, according to your job again on customized Settings. Some people work habits and pause for a very long time. If you are the person, the suspension shall be shorter time. While others in work process used to pause, if often time too short, and will make them feel bored, because when they just want to continue to input, machine is closed. If the notebook too frequently shut, but try Standby System Settings from 5 minutes to 10 minutes, so will set Off from 2 minutes to five minutes. Click on the button, and brings As specified filename, to preserve your personal power management.
To test, to ensure regularly with test were fully charged. Therefore, can let the machine run, until the batteries electricity consumption light. Completely Particular way is: in Power Management dialog box, select a Drain the specific Power mode, its all three Batteries Running on time, all set for options that notebook will continue operation. Choose the model, and then enter Alarms TAB, cancel to Low a warning and a checkbox whose selected mark (so, when the Battery power, machine won’t enter suspended state). Next, let the computer to run a CPU time occupied the missions, such as the complex screensaver.

So now we have everything on the Dell company is one recall on the batteries, which will catch fire and burn alleged butt on laptops or in fact they will most likely burn something else when they catch fire. Now we see that Apple Computers has the problem and has about 1.4 million computers and removed as well. Au?
Yes, it’s a big bummer for laptop produced, it seems all of these units were Sony batteries, bummer for them. But all thisis old news to you I can see, but here’s the kicker. I spoke with a former NSA guy so he claimed in a local coffee shop in Brunswick, GA and he told me that the recall was fake and it’s a trick.
So I thought, that I have heard, so what’s the trick? Now, he said, the new batteries have to follow GPS RFID chips in them to the computers and so if the batteries in those she remembers will know where to go? Who is she, I wondered?
Yes, he said, they were theNSA police and they were working with the aliens pursue the man because all men are always thick and ready for harvest. No wonder that the Americans so fat they fed us were ready for fattening foods, they think I get the slaughter houses? Now it seemed to me that there was this homeless vet, never worked for the NSA, but an excellent storyteller, so I gave him a tip. The FBI is to recruit and here is $ 5.00 to get some more alcohol and refreshed for his workInterview.
“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; Lance is an online writer in retirement.

The laptop battery can operate best when a very little care procedure is absolutely observed. Each laptop computer comes with an in-build battery which is rechargeable; this battery is a cell and can be robust or weak. There are suggested ways in which by that the functionality of laptop battery will be maximized.

There are two basic sorts of laptop batteries: The aftermarket batteries, these are batteries that return from third-party resellers that are sold at a lower price. The other one are complete-name batteries, batteries that the manufacturer sells itself.

If the battery in your laptop could be a nickel metal hydride or a nickel cadmium then it can experience memory degradation over time. To reduce the effects of this, build certain that you run the battery right down to empty every time. Additionally ensure that you fully recharge the battery each time you recharge it.

If you wish a low-cost battery that’s worth your cash then I suggest you search the net. Compare costs and select only the reputable distributors.