PDA

View Full Version : Solution for increased battery usage under new iMate rom


Bagpuss
17-04-2006, 12:32 AM
My friend and I have both starting using the new AKU2 iMate rom recently.

We both had exactly the same software installed, live in the same place, and use the same network. The only problem being, his battery life was dramatically reduced, whereas mine was just the same as with the old o2 software.

For him, reverting back to the o2 software fixed the battery drain problem, so it was definitely a software issue.

After much head scratching, and comparing we've discovered the problem.

It all comes down to the fact that he uses WiFi at least once a day to check for traffic information on our route home. This in itself isn't the cause of the problem, but his use of WiFi is.

We've discovered that the new Comm Manager application does not properly turn off radio comms, even though it claims that it has.

To see the problem, try the following:

1) Fully charge your XDA.
2) Before you go to bed, turn on WiFi using Comm Manager and connect to your access point.
3) Turn WiFi off using Comm Manager.
4) Leave XDA in standby.

Leave the XDA overnight, and the battery will probably be completely discharged by morning.

It appears that the Comm Manager does not properly turn WiFi (or any of the other radios) off, even though it says it has.

WiFi causes the problem to manifest most obviously, as it consumes the most power, but the same is true for all of the other wireless in the XDA.

We tried another test where we fully charged the XDA, switched on all the radios (GSM, bluetooth and WiFi). We then switched them all off, and left the XDA overnight. By morning, the unit was completely dead.

We then repeated the same experiment, but did a soft reset after switching the radios off. When we came back to the XDA in the morning, the battery was still showing 99%.

If he never turns the WiFi on, then his battery performance is the same as with the current o2 rom.

This seems like a major bug, especially as this seems to indicate that putting the unit into 'flight mode', doesn't actually turn the radios off.

We've also tried reverting back to the 1.06 radio rom, and this doesn't fix the problem.

If anyone else out there can test this, please let us know if you see the same thing.

Bagpuss.

Anton.Valleyman
17-04-2006, 01:03 AM
Hmm

Can't say categorically on this, but for example the other night (with a battery of around 85%) :

- Just before going to bed, wanted to check my work webmail (sad I know)
- Turned on wifi and connected to wireless router, checked email.
- Turned off wifi, put into flight mode and went to sleep

Got up in the morning, and though I can't remember the exact percentage it certainly wasn't at a level causing concern...probably in the late 70s to early 80s else I would have noticed.

Using the iMate ROM that came out a month or so back.

ROM: 1.30.76WWE (dated 20/02/06)
Radio: 1.09
ExtROM (though most of it was taken off, put back only what was needed and hard reset): 1.30.164WWE

HTH

Cheers
Ant

jwzg
17-04-2006, 04:17 AM
This has been an issue with the Wizard line as well. I have also noticed that the Comm Manager refuses to turn off even when using Space Reclaimer. The program actually has to be forced to close. The funny thing is that I woke up to a battery charge of 96% on my Wizard this morning, checked my email via wifi, shut off the wifi, and now (2 hours later) the battery is showing 83% charge. If I don't use wifi, regardless of whter I switch it off, I could get approximately 3 days out of a charge. I'm not sure what the issue is, but more than one type of device has it.

simon_darley
17-04-2006, 04:29 AM
I dont notice this problem as I dont use the Comm Manager. I use the Antennae on the today screen to turn wifi on or off. I rarely use bluetooth, but supect that this may cause a battery drain as I use the Comm Manager for this, I could try it using the long way, settings, connections, bluetooth.

jwzg
17-04-2006, 06:37 AM
I wish that "one-button" wifi was an option for us Wizard users, but it's not at the moment without an aftermarket program.

Biso007
17-04-2006, 11:22 AM
quite interesting observation, but up to my knowledge the left side led doesn't work according to s/w instructions ... it will blink only based on the h/w status for both BT and WiFi ... so if you turn off the WiFi using CommMngr and the led went off .. I think it would be impossible to say that the WiFi is still on ... I faced this problem after flashing the radio to 1.09 before AKU2 and also after AKU2 ... then after a one hard reset this issue was solved by itself ... I tend to believe it's related to some s/w that work in the bacj ground ... like calls filters and traffic monitors