[sumyunguy]

I just finished installing and upgrading to 10.5.7 via the mechdrew method (thanks!)

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations on how to save battery juice?!

I have already disabled dashboard. Don't know if that will help much. But will definitely help reduce RAM usage.

[TheDoctah]

Originally Posted by sumyunguy

I just finished installing and upgrading to 10.5.7 via the mechdrew method (thanks!)

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations on how to save battery juice?!

I have already disabled dashboard. Don't know if that will help much. But will definitely help reduce RAM usage.

Dim your screen to about ~50% or less if you're comfortable with it.
Disable the ethernet port if you are running wireless.
Disable bluetooth when not in use.
Disable wireless when not in use.
Any programs that load on boot that you dont need, remove.
Use VoodooPower kext for added speedstep settings (read DellEFI 1.2a5 thread)

You're guaranteed 4+ hours of battery life with the above settings.

I get currently get 4+hours of battery life leaving WiFi on all the time and screen at 50% with 10.5.7 and DellEFI 1.2a5. I do not use the VoodooPower though as it makes the unit whine when in low power, i found it too annoying for an extra ~20mins of battery life. I also still use Dashboard, i like that too much to give it up.

[sumyunguy]

how do i dim the screen?

[elfboy]

Dim screen: (I use 10.5.6) Fn + 9. Bright screen: Fn + 0.

It still follows the icons on the mini 9 keyboard on mine.

If that doesn't work, I think on Mac it's Fn + F1 to dim, Fn + F2 to bright.

[Project37]

Originally Posted by TheDoctah

Disable the ethernet port if you are running wireless.

How do I do this? I'm new to messing around with BIOS, so I wasn't sure which option to disable (Bluetooth was pretty obvious, though ;-) ).

[TheDoctah]

Originally Posted by Project37

How do I do this? I'm new to messing around with BIOS, so I wasn't sure which option to disable (Bluetooth was pretty obvious, though ;-) ).

You can't disable the ethernet in the bios, but you can disable it in leopard.

1) System Preferences
2) Network
3) Highlight Ethernet
4) Select the 3rd button next to the + and - buttons below the Ethernet selection box and select "Make service inactive"

This will prevent the OS from constantly checking for activity on the port.....minimal savings...but savings!

[simsin]

Disable bluetooth when not in use.
Disable wireless when not in use.
Any programs that load on boot that you dont need, remove.

I am curious to know if there is a way to make the bluetooth and wireless automatically turn off when not in use? and if so how?
What programs would you suggest removing from start up and how?

Thanks if I can get 4 hrs from this BadBoy would be amazing!

[Project37]

Originally Posted by TheDoctah

You can't disable the ethernet in the bios, but you can disable it in leopard.

1) System Preferences
2) Network
3) Highlight Ethernet
4) Select the 3rd button next to the + and - buttons below the Ethernet selection box and select "Make service inactive"

This will prevent the OS from constantly checking for activity on the port.....minimal savings...but savings!

Cool, thank you very much!

[TitusCooker]

Ive had a lot less battery since 10.5.7. I've even tried to update the DellEFI to 1.2a5. It loses battery at an enormous rate and I have NEVER gotten 4 hours out of it, but it was better in 10.5.6. Last night, it was in sleep mode starting at 100% and this morning it was at 75%. Any ideas?
titus

[Jujube]

Originally Posted by TheDoctah

I do not use the VoodooPower though as it makes the unit whine when in low power, i found it too annoying for an extra ~20mins of battery life.

Lol i didn't notice the high pitch whine until you mentioned it and I put the laptop next to my ear. What is up with that!?!?

oh and for the Ethernet, if you turn if off from bios setting, you can get much faster WIFI and bluetooth load up when you are waking from sleep.

Since I don't use ethernet often at all, I have it turned off from bios.