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Old 10-17-2003, 03:33 PM   #1
Alex Housley
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Registered: Oct 2003
Posts: 8

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Question Battery life not displaying on Sony PCG-Z1RSP.

Dear Linux Users,

I've scrapped the XP installation that came with this great new Sony PCG-Z1RSP laptop, and installed SuSE 8.2 Professional. Looks fantastic and works like a dream - I'm a true convert.

One small problem though, I am having difficulty monitoring my battery life in KDE (well any window manager). When I right click on the battery monitor (KLaptop) icon and click Configure, I get the message :

"Your computer seems to have partial ACPI installation. ACPI was probably enabled, but some of the sub options were not - you need to enable at least 'AC Adaptor' and 'Control Method Battery' and then rebuild your kernel."

I am pretty sure I have done this, but to no avail.

Wondering if anyone here would have any suggestions that could help me out... I'll be sure to post if I find a solution until then.

Many Thanks,

Alex Housley
 
Old 10-17-2003, 03:51 PM   #2
ceedeedoos
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THIS IS A GUESS

modprobe battery
modprobe ac

ps -ax | grep acpid

if the last doesn't show you anything, you'll need to fire up acpid

if you get errors on the first two, you either have those things compiled in and not working, or you don't have them compiled at all and need to find a kernel that does, or make one of your own I think...
 
Old 10-17-2003, 04:17 PM   #3
Alex Housley
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Registered: Oct 2003
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The first two commands seem to work without error, still the battery monitor isn't working properly, although the error I reported earlier no longer occurs. Although when I click on the icon it does say power manager not found. I'll do a quick reboot and see if that makes a difference.

ps -ax | grep acpid causes the following error:

"Bad systax, perhaps a bogus '-'? <--- am i being fundamentally stupid here :-)

Anyway, ps -ax on its own produces the following in case this is useful:


PID TTY STAT TIME COMMAND
1 ? S 0:05 init
2 ? SW 0:01 [keventd]
3 ? SWN 0:00 [ksoftirqd_CPU0]
4 ? SW 0:02 [kswapd]
5 ? SW 0:00 [bdflush]
6 ? SW 0:00 [kupdated]
7 ? SW 0:00 [kinoded]
9 ? SW 0:00 [mdrecoveryd]
12 ? SW 0:00 [kreiserfsd]
772 ? S 0:00 /sbin/dhcpcd -H -D -N -t 999999 -h linux eth0
802 ? S 0:00 /sbin/syslogd -a /var/lib/dhcp/dev/log -a /var/lib/na
805 ? S 0:00 /sbin/klogd -c 1 -2
840 ? SW 0:00 [knodemgrd]
866 ? SW 0:00 [khubd]
1275 ? SW 0:00 [usb-storage-0]
1276 ? SW 0:00 [scsi_eh_1]
1561 ? S 0:00 /sbin/cardmgr -m /lib/modules/2.4.20-4GB/ -n pcmcia
1586 ? S 0:00 /sbin/resmgrd
1611 ? S 0:00 /sbin/portmap
1806 ? S 0:00 /usr/sbin/cupsd
1813 ? S 0:00 /usr/sbin/sshd -o PidFile /var/run/sshd.init.pid
2126 ? S 0:00 /usr/lib/postfix/master
2188 ? S 0:00 /opt/kde3/bin/kdm
2218 ? S 0:00 /usr/sbin/smpppd
2219 ? S 0:00 /usr/sbin/atd
2249 ? S 0:00 /usr/sbin/cron
2279 ? S 0:00 /usr/sbin/nscd
2319 ? S 0:00 /usr/sbin/nscd
2321 tty1 S 0:00 /sbin/mingetty --noclear tty1
2322 tty2 S 0:00 /sbin/mingetty tty2
2323 tty3 S 0:00 /sbin/mingetty tty3
2324 tty4 S 0:00 /sbin/mingetty tty4
2325 tty5 S 0:00 /sbin/mingetty tty5
2326 tty6 S 0:00 /sbin/mingetty tty6
2327 ? S 0:00 /usr/sbin/nscd
2328 ? S 0:00 /usr/sbin/nscd
2329 ? S 0:00 /usr/sbin/nscd
2330 ? S 0:00 /usr/sbin/nscd
2331 ? S 0:00 /usr/sbin/nscd
4718 ? S 0:00 SCREEN
4721 ? S 0:00 SCREEN
4722 pts/5 S 0:00 /bin/bash
4723 pts/6 S 0:00 /bin/bash
4734 ? S 0:00 SCREEN
4735 pts/8 S 0:00 /bin/bash
16924 ? S 0:00 qmgr -l -t fifo -u
1463 ? S 0:00 pickup -l -t fifo -u
1632 ? R 0:11 /usr/X11R6/bin/X vt7 -auth /var/lib/xdm/authdir/authf
1633 ? S 0:00 -:0
1662 ? S 0:00 /bin/sh /usr/X11R6/bin/kde
1678 ? S 0:00 /opt/gnome/bin/medusa-idled
1691 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: Running...
1694 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: dcopserver --nosid
1697 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: klauncher
1700 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: kded
1707 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: klaptopdaemon
1709 ? S 0:00 /opt/kde3/bin/artsd -F 10 -S 4096 -s 5 -m artsmessage
1715 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: knotify
1716 ? S 0:00 kwrapper ksmserver
1718 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: ksmserver
1719 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: kwin -session 117f00000200010661263670000015
1721 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: kwrited
1723 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: kdesktop
1726 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: kicker
1728 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: kio_file file /tmp/ksocket-root/klauncheryKw
1730 ? S 0:00 appletproxy --configfile taskbar_panelappletrc --call
1731 ? S 0:00 appletproxy --configfile sysguard_panelappletrc --cal
1732 ? S 0:00 appletproxy --configfile lockout_panelapplet_sjewt42n
1733 ? S 0:00 ksysguardd
1734 ? S 0:00 appletproxy --configfile systemtray_panelappletrc --c
1735 ? S 0:00 appletproxy --configfile clock_panelapplet_b3oupwvtnu
1738 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: klipper
1739 ? S 0:00 kgpg
1742 ? S 0:00 kinternet -caption Kinternet -icon kinternet.png -min
1745 ? S 0:00 susewatcher -caption SuSE Update Checker -icon kinter
1755 ? S 0:01 kdeinit: konqueror --preload
1757 ? S 0:00 kalarmd --login
1827 ? R 0:00 kdeinit: konsole
1828 pts/1 S 0:00 /bin/bash
1890 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: kio_http http /tmp/ksocket-root/klauncheryKw
1891 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: kio_http http /tmp/ksocket-root/klauncheryKw
1892 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: kio_http http /tmp/ksocket-root/klauncheryKw
1893 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: kio_http http /tmp/ksocket-root/klauncheryKw
1894 ? S 0:00 kdeinit: kio_http http /tmp/ksocket-root/klauncheryKw
1897 pts/1 T 0:00 man ps
1901 pts/1 T 0:00 sh -c { export MAN_PN LESS; MAN_PN='ps(1)'; LESS="-Pm
1902 pts/1 T 0:00 less
1922 pts/1 R 0:00 ps -ax

I'll let you know what happens after this reboot.

Many Thanks,

Alex Housley
 
Old 10-17-2003, 04:31 PM   #4
ceedeedoos
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try this:
/usr/sbin/acpid -a -d /proc/acpi

I hope it works ... it's what's in my startup script for acpid

oh and ps -ax | grep acpid works here
Last edited by ceedeedoos; 10-17-2003 at 04:32 PM.
 
Old 10-17-2003, 04:32 PM   #5
Alex Housley
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Registered: Oct 2003
Posts: 8

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 0
Just restarted and it doesn't work! Same error as in the first post. I think the modprobe commands work to some extent (i.e. no errors and allows me to open the battery icon). However they have no persistence when rebooting the laptop. How can I make modprobe ac and modprobe battery work on bootup?

Any help would be much apprecitated - I'm still searching looking for answers, and as ever I'll post if I find anything as I am sure the next man with this laptop could run into this prob.

Thanks,

Alex
 
Old 10-17-2003, 04:38 PM   #6
Alex Housley
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Registered: Oct 2003
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linux:~ # /usr/sbin/acpid -a -d /proc/acpi
/usr/sbin/acpid: invalid option -- a
Usage: acpid [OPTIONS]
-c, --confdir Set the configuration directory.
-d, --debug Run daemon in the foreground.
-e, --eventfile Use the specified file for events.
-g, --socketgroup Set the group on the socket file.
-l, --logfile Use the specified log file.
-m, --socketmode Set the permissions on the socket file.
-s, --socketfile Use the specified socket file.
-S, --nosocket Do not listen on a UNIX socket (overrides -s).
-v, --version Print version information.
-h, --help Print this message.


Hmmm... funny i'm running as root as well so it looks like the -a isn't supported. Any ideas of files, packages etc... i should search for install?? I'm stuck!

Thanks for your help!

Alex
 
Old 10-17-2003, 04:40 PM   #7
lupin_the_3rd
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create an executable script in /etc called rc.modules

This is what mine looks like.

# Load working ACPI modules (no fan ACPI control for this laptop)
modprobe ac
modprobe battery
modprobe button
modprobe processor
modprobe thermal
modprobe i8k
modprobe speedstep > /dev/null 2>&1 || modprobe speedstep-ich
modprobe snd-card-0

Then, you need acpid scripts to control each of these modules.
 
Old 10-17-2003, 04:41 PM   #8
ceedeedoos
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Quote:
Originally posted by Alex Housley
linux:~ # /usr/sbin/acpid -a -d /proc/acpi
/usr/sbin/acpid: invalid option -- a
Usage: acpid [OPTIONS]
-c, --confdir Set the configuration directory.
-d, --debug Run daemon in the foreground.
-e, --eventfile Use the specified file for events.
-g, --socketgroup Set the group on the socket file.
-l, --logfile Use the specified log file.
-m, --socketmode Set the permissions on the socket file.
-s, --socketfile Use the specified socket file.
-S, --nosocket Do not listen on a UNIX socket (overrides -s).
-v, --version Print version information.
-h, --help Print this message.


Hmmm... funny i'm running as root as well so it looks like the -a isn't supported. Any ideas of files, packages etc... i should search for install?? I'm stuck!

Thanks for your help!

Alex
omit the -a, my mistake
and indeed, a simple script that's executable in rc.d for your modprobing needs
 
Old 10-17-2003, 04:42 PM   #9
lupin_the_3rd
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make sure you have a /proc/acpi dir or acpid will not load...
 
Old 10-17-2003, 05:16 PM   #10
Alex Housley
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Registered: Oct 2003
Posts: 8

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lupin - I did what you said about rc.modules and rebooted... unfortunately no luck.

modprobe battery
modprobe ac

give me access to the KLaptop dialogue, however doesn't update the battery display

ceedeedos - you said:

"/usr/sbin/acpid -a -d /proc/acpi

I hope it works ... it's what's in my startup script for acpid" (i'm ommitting the -a)

What startup script should i put this in?? i run it from the shell with the following result:

"linux:~ # /usr/sbin/acpid -d /proc/acpi
[Fri Oct 17 23:16:23 2003] starting up
[Fri Oct 17 23:16:23 2003] DBG: parsing conf file /etc/acpi/events/default
[Fri Oct 17 23:16:23 2003] 1 rule loaded"

Shell doesn't come back to the prompt though - and no change to the battery monitor.

The quest continues for the answer continues!

Thanks,

Alex
 
Old 10-17-2003, 05:47 PM   #11
ceedeedoos
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you must start with making a reference like this

Code:
# Start the ACPI modules 
if [ -x /etc/rc.d/rc.acpi ]; then
  . /etc/rc.d/rc.acpi start
fi
in /etc/rc.d/rc.M

then I have this script (generated on installation of acpid I think)
Code:
#!/bin/sh
# Start/stop/restart acpid.

# Start acpid:
acpid_start() {
  if [ -x /usr/sbin/acpid -a -d /proc/acpi ]; then
    echo "Starting ACPI daemon:  /usr/sbin/acpid"
    /usr/sbin/acpid
  fi
}

# Stop acpid:
acpid_stop() {
  killall acpid
}

# Restart acpid:
acpid_restart() {
  acpid_stop
  sleep 1
  acpid_start
}

case "$1" in
'start')
  acpid_start
  ;;
'stop')
  acpid_stop
  ;;
'restart')
  acpid_restart
  ;;
*)
  echo "usage $0 start|stop|restart"
esac
maybe a "locate rc.acpid" would find it
Last edited by ceedeedoos; 10-17-2003 at 05:49 PM.
 
Old 10-17-2003, 06:59 PM   #12
lupin_the_3rd
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Have you checked out acpi4linux to make sure that you don't have a blacklisted bios or wonky dsdt?

http://acpi.sourceforge.net/

I didn't see your laptop here but one of the models may be similar to yours

http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/sony.html
 
  


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