maemo.org - Talk - Battery Drains Way Too Fast (No Wifi/Skype/Email on at all)

maemo.org - Talk (https://talk.maemo.org/index.php)

- Nokia N900 (https://talk.maemo.org/forumdisplay.php?f=44)

- - Battery Drains Way Too Fast (No Wifi/Skype/Email on at all) (https://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=35912)

Re: Battery Drains Way Too Fast (No Wifi/Skype/Email on at all)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheUnlockr.com (Post 413103)

Thanks for the suggestion!
I actually turned mine off soon as I got the phone, not too mention though that this OS is similar to Symbian in how it uses GPS and Wifi. With my old Nokia 5800, you could leave GPS on without an issue because the phone was smart enough to only actually turn it on when an application called for it (like Maps) and that phones battery life was awesome for me (and little sidenote, had the EXACT same battery our N900s do lol).

Anything else guys? Im willing to try whatever, anyone know how to use powertop? Does that help? Tried to bring it up with sudo powertop but it asks for a password...

I haven't got my N900 yet (should be tomorrow) but can you turn of GSM all together? Or would taking out the SIM card, stop the N900 from trying to search for a network?

I know that this wouldn't help in the long run but if you still have massive power drain with GSM, then it's something else running on the phone (some process somewhere). If your battery life is much improved, it could be what some said about your signal.

Might help?! Hope you get it sorted (and I don't have the same problem because that'd really annoy the hell out of me!)

Re: Battery Drains Way Too Fast (No Wifi/Skype/Email on at all)

I am wondering how many on here will return their device after the 14 Day return policy cos of appalling battery life......

Re: Battery Drains Way Too Fast (No Wifi/Skype/Email on at all)

loving n900 but it disappointed me on battrey..it doesnt last for more than 4hrs. i am only just only using facebook n other web sites not even a youtube..i end up carrying charger all time same as with n96..

Re: Battery Drains Way Too Fast (No Wifi/Skype/Email on at all)

I can't be sure yet (because every day's use is different), but I seem to have greatly improved my battery life by switching from "WiFi Power Saving On (Maximum)" to "Wifi Power Saving On (Intermediate)".

This seems counter-intuitive, but there was some talk about a bug related to the Maximum setting which might explain it.

Even so, I'm not up to a full day's battery life yet.

Regards,
Roger

Re: Battery Drains Way Too Fast (No Wifi/Skype/Email on at all)

Have you all considered that it might just be a bad battery batch from the manufacturer of the batteries?

I know, after spending $600 US or more on one, you'll say "but I shouldn't have to buy a new battery", and I don't disagree. But maybe you should try another battery and see how it holds up?

The BL-5J batteries can be had for a relatively cheap price.

Re: Battery Drains Way Too Fast (No Wifi/Skype/Email on at all)

Sorry for the double post...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dexter1759 (Post 415283)

Or would taking out the SIM card, stop the N900 from trying to search for a network?

If you pull the SIM card, you'll have a nice internet tablet. Won't be able to use the n900 as a cell phone.

If that's what you're after, there is an "offline" setting that takes radios offline.

Re: Battery Drains Way Too Fast (No Wifi/Skype/Email on at all)

Quote:

Originally Posted by big_zippy (Post 414450)

I don't know whether to laugh or cry over this! I got my N900 last week and I think it is a brilliant piece of technology. The fact that you can write perl scripts to monitor the battery life is brilliant. The fact that such script, when run, will substantially eat into the already ridiculous battery life is a travesty.

The N900 is a Nokia device which has cellular technology built in. As such, Joe public (even the Linux nerdy ones) will expect this to encompass all Nokia knows about mobile phone technology. In my view this would imply that the phone would last at least a day on a single charge. It is sold as lasting 2-4 days (yes, read the pre-release garb and listen to the guys in the Nokia store).

I have stripped my phone down - no e-mail update, GSM only (no 3G), 10 second backlight, no widgets (none added, maybe I should remove the calendar too), no background applications running. It still only lasts about 4-5 hours!!!! (after 15+ charge cycles). This is just not acceptable, and almost certainly makes it "not fit for purpose".

I'm hoping that something can be done soon in a firmware update. If they had been straight and said 5 hours battery life I would have walked away. Instead I've been teased with brilliant technology but can't use it, unless I carry a phone charger/USB lead around with me all day and stay near a power point/desktop computer! Well hey, I don't want to make phone calls with a USB lead in my ear.

Rant over

BZ

have you done this?

- wifi only when you use it
- wifi to 10 mw
- mobile internet only when you use it
- bluetooth only when you use it
- tap-vibration off
- dont leave windows running when idle
- brightness on 1/2
- 10 seconds to standby
- no widgets at all
- gps off
- energy save modus screen
- not logged in to not used accounts unnecessary
- fm transmitter off
- energy save modus wifi
- no automatic mail updating
- no automatic wifi checking

Re: Battery Drains Way Too Fast (No Wifi/Skype/Email on at all)

Quote:

Originally Posted by That One Guy (Post 415443)

Sorry for the double post...

If you pull the SIM card, you'll have a nice internet tablet. Won't be able to use the n900 as a cell phone.

If that's what you're after, there is an "offline" setting that takes radios offline.

Yeh, I know. But I was just suggesting it to try an elliminate an possible problem for the OP.

Re: Battery Drains Way Too Fast (No Wifi/Skype/Email on at all)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dexter1759 (Post 415502)

Yeh, I know. But I was just suggesting it to try an elliminate an possible problem for the OP.

Not to mention that I seem to recall a bug in which there was an inordinate amount of power draw when no SIM card is present. I'm not sure if that got fixed or not, but if it's still present that would definitely work to defeat the purpose.

Re: Battery Drains Way Too Fast (No Wifi/Skype/Email on at all)

Quote:

Originally Posted by texaslabrat (Post 415521)

Ah, so perhaps just switching off the GSM radio (or Offline mode) would do the trick?!