Performance problems on laptops

Bartm85 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-04-2005, 03:21 PM

Hi,

I installed DS2 on my laptop, (AMD Sempron 2800+, 512MB RAM, ATI Mobility X600) and with the settings on lowest quality, the game still suffers from ridiculously long load times for in-game menus etc.
I noticed a small icon in de lower right corner, above the game map, of a green battery that sais: "percentage of battery life remaining: 100 percent".
So I suspect that the game "thinks" that my computer is running on its battery (but actually it isn't) what causes the computer to decrease the performance dramatically.
Does anyone know how to fix this problem, because the game is virtually unplayable now.

Thanks in advance!

Bart

Frodo1 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-05-2005, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bartm85

Hi,

I installed DS2 on my laptop, (AMD Sempron 2800+, 512MB RAM, ATI Mobility X600) and with the settings on lowest quality, the game still suffers from ridiculously long load times for in-game menus etc.
I noticed a small icon in de lower right corner, above the game map, of a green battery that sais: "percentage of battery life remaining: 100 percent".
So I suspect that the game "thinks" that my computer is running on its battery (but actually it isn't) what causes the computer to decrease the performance dramatically.
Does anyone know how to fix this problem, because the game is virtually unplayable now.

Thanks in advance!

Bart

I've been playing the game on my laptop also. I too get the battery icon whenever I play. However, the game plays fine for me and there is no difference in performance whether I use the battery or plug it in. Once, my battery ran down to critical and there was still no problem with performance. So, maybe there is something else wrong.

Good luck.

Bartm85 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-05-2005, 09:23 AM

Maybe the energy managment on my laptop is set to a configuration where the battery lives long, so it goes a lot slower. However, I don't know where to change that, or what to change... But it's weird that the game acts the same whether it's on battery or not.

Frodo1 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-05-2005, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bartm85

Maybe the energy managment on my laptop is set to a configuration where the battery lives long, so it goes a lot slower. However, I don't know where to change that, or what to change... But it's weird that the game acts the same whether it's on battery or not.

Just in case, here is how to get to power management: You should be able to get to your power management properties in either of 2 ways. One is the right click on the power management icon in your systems tray on your desktop. Or, click on start>settings>control panel>performance/maintenance>power options. At least, that is how I do it using Windows XP Home Edition.

When there, the only thing I can figure that might help is to check the power scheme menu in the Power Schemes window. Make sure it's set for portable/laptop and not for "minimal power management".

Hope that helps.

Bartm85 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-05-2005, 12:29 PM

Strange, there is nothing like "performance/maintenance" in my control panel. I've searched the rest of my control panel, but didn't found anything like "power options". I use Windows XP Home SP2.

Ravager · #6 (**permalink**) 09-05-2005, 01:12 PM

Make sure the Control Panel is set to Classic View (you should be able to see the option after you open the Control Panel), then look for an icon like a battery and power cord. Probably labelled 'Power Management'.

If there isn't anything like Power Management the options may be under the option accessed by clicking on the System icon.

Bartm85 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-06-2005, 10:59 AM

I can find "power management" but it only handles the time delays of shutdowns of your screen, HD, etc... or when to get a warning (for example: when your battery is 10% full) or what to do when pressing the power/sleep button. Whether the processor will run at full capacity or not when my pc is on battery is nowhere an option...