Windows 7 battery and screen

[awaj]

I have Windows 7 on my laptop now as well as my desktop (but I am going to be using it more on my laptop then my desktop...) and I noticed a couple of things. The first is that it is saying my battery has a problem. I think I can get it covered by warrenty if it is actually a problem. I've not seen something in XP, Ubuntu mentioned something like this briefly, but I didn't care too much. Is there a way to check what the problem is?

The other thing I have a problem with is the screen flickers kind of. Like when I am typing, I notice something like it's being highlighted for an extremely short ammount of time. has anyone else noticed that? or is it normal?

[SirBob]

Hi,
Windows 7 is a beta, right? So the problems you're seeing could be a bug in the code. You should post these issues on the beta website.

[awaj]

Well, the blinking thing is probably a bug of some sort. I've installed a few things and it went away, so I'm not as concerned about that... The battery how ever I am concerned about. Is there some way I can test it?

[mjc]

Acer?

Is there a diagnostics for the laptop? I'd be willing to trust the manufacturer's diagnostics than whatever Windows comes up with...

[awaj]

It is my Acer Laptop. I'll see if there is a diagnostic utility for it, but if not, do you think I can talk them into what the problem is so I don't have to re-install 7 Beta and everything when they take a look at it?

[mjc]

I'd say that since 7 is still in Beta, that there is a very good chance that something with it is the problem.

[awaj]

I was unable to find any diagnostic tools on Acer's site, I sent them an email earlier today and I am hoping that they respond with a direct link to where a diagnostic tool would be. Ubuntu had said something similar, but I paid it no mind for some reason. It would explain why my battery life is decreased quite a bit though.

[mjc]

Well, if more than one OS is coming up with a battery problem and it is still under warranty...get Acer to replace it.

[SirBob]

What OS did the system come with? You may have voided the warranty by putting a beta on the system.

[mjc]

No...software, 99.99999999999999999% of the time does not void warranties, even operating systems. That is the whole point of most tech-service calls having you restore the system to factory specs, if you've altered it, before they will help you.

[awaj]

well, it's no longer covered by manufacturer's warrenty. I found out that it's not covered by the place I bought it either... So, I am currently trying to figure out whether or not I need to buy a new battery or if I need to do just put up with the degraded battery life...

It is unfortunate, If i take it to be repaired and can't tell them enough about why I think it is hardware, they will wipe my hard drive and put in a new one. (I've lost many programs that way, but it forces me to do a fresh install quite often...)

[mjc]

You take it in and tell them you can now run an hour and a half on battery while six months ago you got two hours.

As to the problem of the shop re-installing the hard drive...just make an image of it before you take it anywhere near a shop. Then when you get it back restore the images.

Or, if the battery has noticeable declined, then just get a new one...

[awaj]

I am going to be getting a new one sometime, probably next year, unless I can justify it sooner... I wish sooner, but my parents would probably try to kill me or something for spending money... (Actually I would rather buy a new laptop, but that won't happen for another year if not more...)

[Ajmukon]

wait:
in XP, wasn't it running on battery when it was at 0%?

[awaj]

It was, but that's a different issue I think... I just got a reply from Acer saying that there is no diagnostic utilities that they provide. They suggested that I drain the battery a couple of times and see if things improve.