Post-update battery weirdness

bingle · 02-16-2007, 01:32 AM

So I updated my Reader when the new firmware came out, of course, and recently I noticed something odd. My battery meter was down to one-half, so I plugged it in and let it charge more than 24 hours. When I went to use it, however, the battery meter was *still* at one-half. I thought I must have not plugged it in fully, or something, but having just done the same thing again, the problem still persists.

However, I can't tell if it's actually the battery life that's been affected... the meter hasn't gone down, either. Plugging the reader in causes the meter to go to full, the "lightning" icon to appear, and the charging LED to illuminate.

Has anyone else seen something like this?

Edit: Hmm, after plugging it in with the screen *on*, the battery seems to be stable at full, again... Perhaps.

HarryT · 02-16-2007, 02:47 AM

Perhaps the firmware had just lost its "reference point" for the meter? Happens occasionally. Might be an idea to let it run pretty "flat" and then charge again.

Mitchll · 02-16-2007, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingle

So I updated my Reader when the new firmware came out, of course, and recently I noticed something odd. My battery meter was down to one-half, so I plugged it in and let it charge more than 24 hours. When I went to use it, however, the battery meter was *still* at one-half. I thought I must have not plugged it in fully, or something, but having just done the same thing again, the problem still persists.

However, I can't tell if it's actually the battery life that's been affected... the meter hasn't gone down, either. Plugging the reader in causes the meter to go to full, the "lightning" icon to appear, and the charging LED to illuminate.

Has anyone else seen something like this?

Edit: Hmm, after plugging it in with the screen *on*, the battery seems to be stable at full, again... Perhaps.

I've had the exact problem ater the update.and was concerned that it was mechanical!!! I watched it when I plug it in to recharge...the red light goes on and then turns off in about 5 minutes. Now we know the source was the update and can look for a solution.
Mitcll

Aprilbeginnings · 02-16-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingle

So I updated my Reader when the new firmware came out, of course, and recently I noticed something odd. My battery meter was down to one-half, so I plugged it in and let it charge more than 24 hours. When I went to use it, however, the battery meter was *still* at one-half. I thought I must have not plugged it in fully, or something, but having just done the same thing again, the problem still persists.

However, I can't tell if it's actually the battery life that's been affected... the meter hasn't gone down, either. Plugging the reader in causes the meter to go to full, the "lightning" icon to appear, and the charging LED to illuminate.

Has anyone else seen something like this?

Edit: Hmm, after plugging it in with the screen *on*, the battery seems to be stable at full, again... Perhaps.

Mine did the same thing, had one bar left of power.... charged it up, red light went out, removed it from the charger....... it was still reading low....... plugged it back in, light went out pretty quickly and then the meter was reading correctly.....

now it seems fine.......I am still full metered since the update..... of course I haven't looked at it yet this morning, LOL

NormB · 02-16-2007, 11:51 AM

I had the same problem, with the meter stuck on one segment(the lowest one). I charged over-night last night and still had only one segment. I did a reset and the problem was fixed. Now I have to work up enough courage to snap the cover back on.

NatCh · 02-16-2007, 12:05 PM

Steady, Norm, steady. You can do it. We're all pulling for you! Now, just take a deep breath, and apply precisely 5.4387lbs of pressure in an exactly vertical direction.

Bob Russell · 02-16-2007, 12:13 PM

Don't forget the proper technique Norm... place the Sony Reader face down on a safe flat surface, and then press the cover onto the back of the Reader. It puts a lot less strain on the screen that way.

Mitchll · 02-16-2007, 12:28 PM

I called Sony support and they were befuddled. Then I consulted the only people who seem to know anything about this....the folks at this forum. I hit reset and WHAM BAM it is HEALED.

THANKS TO ALL FOR THIS AND ALL YOUR HELP ON EVERYTHING

Mitch

HarryT · 02-18-2007, 08:45 AM

Identical issue here - battery gauge stuck on three bars, even though the "charging" light was out. Soft reset has fixed it.

ultim8fury · 02-18-2007, 09:09 AM

I thought my battery was lasting an unusual amount of time on 3 bars.

I'll have to try a reset.

RWood · 02-18-2007, 10:05 AM

I have a tool that looks like a mini Allen wrench (hex wrench) except smooth on the outside. It came with an old TDK CD-R drive years ago to open the tray without electrical power. It allowed me to perform a reset without removing the case!

Mine was stuck at 3/4; but, now all is well. Thanks.

Michele · 02-18-2007, 11:24 AM

To add weight to this complaint, I'll chime in with the same problem. Reset fixed it. Thanks, guys.

See that, Sony?!

Laurens · 02-18-2007, 12:04 PM

Yep, my battery indicator is confused as well. Even though I performed a reset, it's still stuck at 1 bar after several hours of charging via USB. (Which used to work fine.) Now trying to charge it directly.

Laurens · 02-18-2007, 05:28 PM

Nope, after charging it directly for hours it's still stuck at 1 bar. Charge light is off. I'm going to drain it fully with an MP3 on repeat and will try again in the morning.

NatCh · 02-18-2007, 05:31 PM

Mine just stayed at 2 bars after a couple of hours' charging, a soft reset seems to have fixed it right up, though. You did do the reset after the charge, right, Laurens? Just checking.

Laurens · 02-18-2007, 05:45 PM

Did a reset and now it gives me 4 bars again... Strange, though. 'Cause earlier I charged it fully through USB (as indicated by the charging light turning off), then performed a soft reset and it was still stuck at 1 bar. Let's see how it goes now.

NatCh · 02-18-2007, 10:50 PM

Glad it seems to be behaving itself now. Hope it keeps it up.

HarryT · 02-19-2007, 03:06 AM

I think we can reasonably form the conclusion that this is a generic problem with the upgrade. I suspect that what may be happening is that, following the upgrade, the battery meter is regarding its charge state at that time as being "fully charged" and refusing to go any higher. Certainly seems that a soft reset is required to sort it out.

jakeluck · 02-20-2007, 06:25 AM

ditto. I did a full recharge/reset right before the update, now the bar remains where it is. soft reset seemed to have fixed the battery meter here too. how many of you charge with the usb cable and how many of you charge with the ac adaptor?

HarryT · 02-20-2007, 07:09 AM

Let's have a poll on it, shall we?

I'll put one in the main conference.

WilliamG · 02-20-2007, 08:50 AM

Same problem here on both my Readers. How very odd. Charged them both over night - both still had 2 bars in the morning. Weiiiird.

HarryT · 02-20-2007, 10:00 AM

Have you done a soft reset, WilliamG? That should fix the problem.

Aprilbeginnings · 02-20-2007, 11:01 AM

I was curious, I was back down to 2 bars...... so I plugged in for charging, light went out..... was still down to 2 bars............. uggggggggg, anyway, did a soft reset for mine as well and now it's reading full.
Sure takes a long time for the thing to boot up, I was starting to think it was frozen there for a second!!!

NatCh · 02-20-2007, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aprilbeginnings

Sure takes a long time for the thing to boot up....

Aren't you glad you don't have to do that boot up thing every time you want to read?

Aprilbeginnings · 02-20-2007, 11:50 AM

YES!

WilliamG · 02-20-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Have you done a soft reset, WilliamG? That should fix the problem.

Not yet. No doubt it will fix the problem. Was just adding that I experienced the problem, too. Yay Sony! :P

HarryT · 02-20-2007, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

Aren't you glad you don't have to do that boot up thing every time you want to read?

That's why I'd never buy something like a Tablet PC for reading - imagine having to go through the lengthy Windows boot cycle every time you wanted to read something

. I know there's a "suspend" feature but I've never really trusted that - when I use it with my laptop it always seems to break things.

Aprilbeginnings · 02-21-2007, 11:20 AM

I wonder if we have to do a soft reset with each update they give us? Actually that might be something we have to do once an update is received. What do you guys think?

HarryT · 02-21-2007, 11:28 AM

Probably just as well to do one just to be on the safe side. Only takes a minute to do.

Aprilbeginnings · 02-21-2007, 11:36 AM

well that boot yesterday sure felt like a loooooooong time....

02-16-2007, 01:32 AM	#1
bingle Addict Posts: 273 Karma: 499 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Francisco Device: Sony Reader	Post-update battery weirdness So I updated my Reader when the new firmware came out, of course, and recently I noticed something odd. My battery meter was down to one-half, so I plugged it in and let it charge more than 24 hours. When I went to use it, however, the battery meter was still at one-half. I thought I must have not plugged it in fully, or something, but having just done the same thing again, the problem still persists. However, I can't tell if it's actually the battery life that's been affected... the meter hasn't gone down, either. Plugging the reader in causes the meter to go to full, the "lightning" icon to appear, and the charging LED to illuminate. Has anyone else seen something like this? Edit: Hmm, after plugging it in with the screen on, the battery seems to be stable at full, again... Perhaps. Last edited by bingle; 02-16-2007 at 01:40 AM.

02-16-2007, 12:28 PM	#8
Mitchll Cave Dweller Posts: 220 Karma: 1986 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Ipad Sony reader prs-505 prs-900	I called Sony support and they were befuddled. Then I consulted the only people who seem to know anything about this....the folks at this forum. I hit reset and WHAM BAM it is HEALED. THANKS TO ALL FOR THIS AND ALL YOUR HELP ON EVERYTHING Mitch Last edited by Mitchll; 02-16-2007 at 01:34 PM.

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02-16-2007, 02:47 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,556 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Perhaps the firmware had just lost its "reference point" for the meter? Happens occasionally. Might be an idea to let it run pretty "flat" and then charge again.

02-16-2007, 11:51 AM	#5
NormB Definately Senior Posts: 29 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sierra Foothills Device: eBookman,Dell Axim,PRS-500	I had the same problem, with the meter stuck on one segment(the lowest one). I charged over-night last night and still had only one segment. I did a reset and the problem was fixed. Now I have to work up enough courage to snap the cover back on.

02-16-2007, 12:05 PM	#6
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Steady, Norm, steady. You can do it. We're all pulling for you! Now, just take a deep breath, and apply precisely 5.4387lbs of pressure in an exactly vertical direction.

02-16-2007, 12:13 PM	#7
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Don't forget the proper technique Norm... place the Sony Reader face down on a safe flat surface, and then press the cover onto the back of the Reader. It puts a lot less strain on the screen that way.

02-18-2007, 08:45 AM	#9
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,556 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Identical issue here - battery gauge stuck on three bars, even though the "charging" light was out. Soft reset has fixed it.

02-18-2007, 09:09 AM	#10
ultim8fury Addict Posts: 219 Karma: 368 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK Device: PRS500, Looking at 700	I thought my battery was lasting an unusual amount of time on 3 bars. I'll have to try a reset.

02-18-2007, 10:05 AM	#11
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	I have a tool that looks like a mini Allen wrench (hex wrench) except smooth on the outside. It came with an old TDK CD-R drive years ago to open the tray without electrical power. It allowed me to perform a reset without removing the case! Mine was stuck at 3/4; but, now all is well. Thanks.

02-18-2007, 11:24 AM	#12
Michele Addict Posts: 209 Karma: 999496 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Device: Kindle 3	To add weight to this complaint, I'll chime in with the same problem. Reset fixed it. Thanks, guys. See that, Sony?!

02-18-2007, 12:04 PM	#13
Laurens Jah Blessed Posts: 1,295 Karma: 1373 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The Netherlands Device: iPod Touch	Yep, my battery indicator is confused as well. Even though I performed a reset, it's still stuck at 1 bar after several hours of charging via USB. (Which used to work fine.) Now trying to charge it directly.

02-18-2007, 05:28 PM	#14
Laurens Jah Blessed Posts: 1,295 Karma: 1373 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The Netherlands Device: iPod Touch	Nope, after charging it directly for hours it's still stuck at 1 bar. Charge light is off. I'm going to drain it fully with an MP3 on repeat and will try again in the morning.

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02-18-2007, 05:31 PM	#15
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Mine just stayed at 2 bars after a couple of hours' charging, a soft reset seems to have fixed it right up, though. You did do the reset after the charge, right, Laurens? Just checking.

02-18-2007, 05:45 PM	#16
Laurens Jah Blessed Posts: 1,295 Karma: 1373 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The Netherlands Device: iPod Touch	Did a reset and now it gives me 4 bars again... Strange, though. 'Cause earlier I charged it fully through USB (as indicated by the charging light turning off), then performed a soft reset and it was still stuck at 1 bar. Let's see how it goes now.

02-18-2007, 10:50 PM	#17
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Glad it seems to be behaving itself now. Hope it keeps it up.

02-19-2007, 03:06 AM	#18
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,556 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I think we can reasonably form the conclusion that this is a generic problem with the upgrade. I suspect that what may be happening is that, following the upgrade, the battery meter is regarding its charge state at that time as being "fully charged" and refusing to go any higher. Certainly seems that a soft reset is required to sort it out.

02-20-2007, 06:25 AM	#19
jakeluck Groupie Posts: 193 Karma: 3252 Join Date: Dec 2004	ditto. I did a full recharge/reset right before the update, now the bar remains where it is. soft reset seemed to have fixed the battery meter here too. how many of you charge with the usb cable and how many of you charge with the ac adaptor?

02-20-2007, 07:09 AM	#20
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,556 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Let's have a poll on it, shall we? I'll put one in the main conference.

02-20-2007, 08:50 AM	#21
WilliamG Addict Posts: 307 Karma: 60998 Join Date: Sep 2006	Same problem here on both my Readers. How very odd. Charged them both over night - both still had 2 bars in the morning. Weiiiird.

02-20-2007, 10:00 AM	#22
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,556 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Have you done a soft reset, WilliamG? That should fix the problem.

02-20-2007, 11:01 AM	#23
Aprilbeginnings Guru Posts: 632 Karma: 404 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern CA Device: Sony PRS-500 /prs 650 soon	I was curious, I was back down to 2 bars...... so I plugged in for charging, light went out..... was still down to 2 bars............. uggggggggg, anyway, did a soft reset for mine as well and now it's reading full. Sure takes a long time for the thing to boot up, I was starting to think it was frozen there for a second!!!

02-20-2007, 11:50 AM	#25
Aprilbeginnings Guru Posts: 632 Karma: 404 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern CA Device: Sony PRS-500 /prs 650 soon	YES!

02-21-2007, 11:20 AM	#28
Aprilbeginnings Guru Posts: 632 Karma: 404 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern CA Device: Sony PRS-500 /prs 650 soon	I wonder if we have to do a soft reset with each update they give us? Actually that might be something we have to do once an update is received. What do you guys think?

02-21-2007, 11:28 AM	#29
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,556 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Probably just as well to do one just to be on the safe side. Only takes a minute to do.

02-21-2007, 11:36 AM	#30
Aprilbeginnings Guru Posts: 632 Karma: 404 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern CA Device: Sony PRS-500 /prs 650 soon	well that boot yesterday sure felt like a loooooooong time....