Time Left Counting Up instead of Down?

[mrcoates]

I have a dual battery computer, and BatteryBar seems to be displaying the appropriate amount of time left while the first battery drains. However, once the laptop switches over to the second battery, the time left actually begins going back up while the second battery drains.

For instance, once the first battery is dead and the second battery is almost dead, the time left has gone all the way back up to about 2 hours.

Has anyone else experienced this behavior and/or know how to fix it?

Thank you.

[Chris]

Please generate a log file so I can see what's happening. The instructions are here: http://osirisdevelopment.com/wiki/Submit_a_bug_report

[mrcoates]

Thanks, Chris. Once the batteries are charged back up, I will enable logging and unplug. I'll submit the log file after it discharges.

[mrcoates]

Log file has been submitted.

[Chris]

Thanks. I got the log file and I'm reviewing it. Once thing I see right away is that you are in the unfortunate situation of having a BIOS that discharges your secondary battery to 0% before switching batteries. That's really, really bad for the battery. I highly recommend that you run only plug in your second battery when the primary is at about 30%. Otherwise, you're going to kill your battery by running it to 0% all the time.

[mrcoates]

Yeah, it's unfortunate. I'm on my third Ultrabay battery in just over two years. I just replaced it, so the one in the log file still shows 0% wear.

[Chris]

Like I said, the best thing to do is only run one battery at a time. I, personally, pull out my bay battery, let the computer run on the main battery until it hits about 30% then I plug in the bay battery and let it run to about 30%. Luckily on Dell's it's really easy to pull the bay battery.