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How to tell kubuntu which battery is #1?

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    How to tell kubuntu which battery is #1?

    I am using kubuntu 11.04 on a Dell Latitude E6320 (although I can't imagine that the particular machine would matter). This is one of those E-series laptops that has a "bay" for use with various "modules". Essentially it has a DVD player that can be removed and replaced with other stuff. The only "other stuff" I have is an extra battery. This is pretty nice, because it basically doubles the time I can use the machine without plugging in, *but* it is not working the "smart" way.

    The sensible way it should use the battery is to use the additional battery first and then the base battery. This way, if I decide that I want to use the DVD player and one of my batteries is dead, then I could actually do it. In fact, several years ago I had a similar machine (that was a D series, but the same idea) and an earlier release of kubuntu in which it worked this way. Actually, I used to run the machine from battery and when the additional one ran out, I'd remove it anyway to decrease the weight of the machine.

    Anyway, (sorry for the long winded intro), my question is this: How can one tell the system which battery to use first, or in other words, how can I switch the current numbering of the batteries. Currently the base battery is called "battery 0" and the extra one is "battery 1". I imagine that if I could switch those designations, then my problem would be solved. (Well, there is also the issue that the first used battery is only used until it has 10% left at which point the system switches to use the other one instead of running the one battery to 0 first).

    So, could someone enlighten me about where this information is stored and how can one tweak it?

    Thanks a lot!
    Krampusz

    #2
    Re: How to tell kubuntu which battery is #1?

    Here is a condensed version of the question below. Perhaps this way someone will answer... (Please, please, please!!!):

    I have two batteries. I'd like to tell the system which one to use before the other. Any ideas how to do this? In other words, I would like to designate which battery is #0 and which one is #1. THANKS!!!!

    -Krampusz

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      #3
      Re: How to tell kubuntu which battery is #1?

      I assume you have looked in the bios setup?

      Comment


        #4
        Re: How to tell kubuntu which battery is #1?

        Originally posted by The Liquidator
        I assume you have looked in the bios setup?
        Thanks for the reply!

        Yes. The bios distinguishes between them as "primary" and "module bay" batteries. I could not find any settings for controlling the order of the discharge.

        In the KDE battery information widget, the batteries are designated battery 0 (this is the primary) and battery 1 (this is the modular). I was guessing if I could switch this designation virtually then it would result in the desired outcome.

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          #5
          Re: How to tell kubuntu which battery is #1?

          I asked Dell Tech Support and I also pointed out that in the Latitude D series the use of batteries worked in the intelligent way.

          Well, this is what they said:

          >> CLKsmb_Gary_230607
          >> Unfortunately, there is no settings nor option for this model that will allow you change the behavior similar to the other system.

          I wonder if there is a software option to override the basic behavior. (I had already looked at the bios setup and there was nothing there to set. The guy at tech support may have just done the same).

          Comment


            #6
            Re: How to tell kubuntu which battery is #1?

            Hmmmmm........

            So even Dell say it can't be done, even with Windows? That's a tough one.

            Maybe your best place to start will be at the KDE support forum, if only as a feature request.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: How to tell kubuntu which battery is #1?

              what's the output of acpi -V

              Please Read Me

              Comment


                #8
                Re: How to tell kubuntu which battery is #1?

                Originally posted by oshunluvr
                what's the output of acpi -V
                Battery 0 = primary battery
                Battery 1 = bay battery
                (additional comment: I used to have a Dell D630 with the same battery setup and it worked the intelligent way)

                Here is the output of acpi -V (I have just started charging after a long unplugged use):

                $ acpi -V
                Battery 0: Unknown, 1%
                Battery 0: design capacity 2900 mAh, last full capacity 2900 mAh = 100%
                Battery 1: Charging, 38%, 00:46:59 until charged
                Battery 1: design capacity 5600 mAh, last full capacity 5303 mAh = 94%
                Adapter 0: on-line
                Thermal 0: ok, 25.0 degrees C
                Thermal 0: trip point 0 switches to mode critical at temperature 107.0 degrees C
                Cooling 0: LCD 0 of 15
                Cooling 1: Processor 0 of 10
                Cooling 2: Processor 0 of 10
                Cooling 3: Processor 0 of 10
                Cooling 4: Processor 0 of 10


                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: How to tell kubuntu which battery is #1?

                  While not helpful, I think your endeavor here, like Don Quixote, is a 'tilting at windmills' effort. The strongest likelihood is that Dell 'hard coded/wired' the use of the batteries, and as such, you won't find a software solution.
                  Windows no longer obstructs my view.
                  Using Kubuntu Linux since March 23, 2007.
                  "It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data." - Sherlock Holmes

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