Since the release of J.C. Sullins latest experimental CM10 rom dated 20130304 in which he tried to correct the battery drain issue while the TouchPad is asleep, a whole new situation has arisen that some folks are experiencing really great battery drain, around -3 to -4ma, while others are seeing in the range of -20mA or so. J.C. recently posted this about it:
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(Posted by J.C. Sullins in the "How to install CM10 thread)
"I've been developing/testing the low battery drain for several weeks now with minimum drain as mentioned elsewhere. Then, a few days ago, all of sudden, it wouldn't drop below 18-22mA. After checking several things, I decided to check in webOS. Same thing in webOS.
So, on a hunch, I decided to reflash the A6 firmware (see tpdebrick-v004 thread).
Back to normal now.
My explanation: The A6 firmware is a bit flakey and reflashing it's firmware resets some of it's non-volatile memory to a known-good state.
BTW, if you follow the tpdebrick-v004 process, please send me the "typescript" file obtained when you do so."
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All of this has created a whole new set of questions and concerns about battery drain and how it is going to be addressed.
I've created this thread to give everyone a place to discuss this and not clog up other threads.
UPDATE:
New methods of flashing the A6 firmware have been found and forum member RolandDeschain79 has been working overtime to create a written guide and two videos on how to flash the A6 firmware. First the videos:
Flashing A6 firmware, method 1:
https://www.youtube....h?v=3T2Apdc15uY
Flashing A6 firmware, method 2:
https://www.youtube....h?v=5lOGY94RRDs
Flashing A6 firmware method 3:
If you prefer a written guide read on:
HP TouchPad Battery Drain issues during sleep (Important):
The Problem:
Developer James Sullins, Aka Jcsullins, has informed HP TouchPads users that there is a problem with our tablets A6 Firmware. This issue can cause an usually high battery drain during sleep. This problem occurs overtime while running both CyanogeMod and WebOS, on the HP TouchPad. As a result the Touchpads battery drains more quickly with daily use and the overall life span is reduced.
The Solution:
Reflashing the A6 Firmware effectively fixes the problem but may need to be repeated as a part of regular HP TouchPad maintenance.
How to test:
How to monitor your battery
To monitor your battery drain history during sleep install the free app Battery Monitor Widget:
-Once installed open the app and go to history to see a log of your devices sleep history.
-To setup the Battery Calibration correctly for the HP TouchPad, this is based on the capacity of the installed battery in your
TouchPad. The next instruction tells you how.
-go to BMW settings/calibration/Battery capacity/ and set it to 6300 (*f29c), 6000 (*i29c) or 5800 (*s29c) and tap OK
-Note* See the Battery p/n # on the original packaging. Based on the p/n of your battery, set the capacity as described above.
-Note* after setting the calibration, users will have to allow several hours to pass while battery history in being accumulated.
Or
You can also use Cool-Tools to monitor your battery drain in real time.
-Watch the instructional video Here.
A6 Firmware Threads & Info:
Battery Drain issues on HP TouchPad (This thread you are reading)
[Fix Guide] How to Reflash the A6 Firmware XDA
How to Reflash the A6 Firmware Method 1:
[Video] How to fix the A6 firmware Battery Drain Problem on the HP TouchPad Method 1
1) Boot to WebOs and in the "Just Type" box enter the following: webos20090606 or upupdowndownleftrightleftrightbastart
-Tap the developer mode icon and slide the toggle to on, then press submit.
-WARNING: Do not enter a password. Just tap submit.
-Plug the USB cable into the HP TouchPad and your PC.
2)Install Java and the Novacom software*
- Note* If you have already previously installed Android with, Java and Novacom drivers, then proceed to step 3.
a]Download Java:
b]Download Novacom Universal Installer:
3)Open windows explorer and go to C:\Program Files\Palm, Inc\Terminal
-Now run the Terminal.bat*
-Note* if you are using a 64 bit OS and get the Error "Windows cannot find Javaw..." you will need to copy the Javaw.eve from C:\Windows\SysWOW64 and paste it into C:\Windows\System32.
4)In the open Novaterm window, select file\connect\Ok
-Now copy and paste the following line into Novaterm and press enter*
PmA6Updater -f -d 0 /lib/firmware/a6_firmware.txt.00
-Note* Do Not! disconnect the TouchPad After starting this procedure.
-Novaterm will tell you "firmware update complete"
- In the open Novaterm window, select file\disconnect\Ok
-Congratulations you have now refashed the A6 Firmware using method 1 and can safely disconnect your HP TouchPad from the USB cable.
How to Reflash the A6 Firmware Method 2:
[Video] How to fix the A6 firmware Battery Drain Problem on the HP TouchPad Method 2
1) Boot to WebOs and in the "Just Type" box enter the following: webos20090606 or upupdowndownleftrightleftrightbastart
-Tap the developer mode icon and slide the toggle to on, then press submit.
-WARNING: Do not enter a password. Just tap submit.
-Plug the USB cable into the HP TouchPad and your PC.
2)On your PC Install Java, Novacom and the WebOSQuickInstall-4.5.0 software*
- Note* If you have already previously installed Android with Java and Novacom, then proceed to step 3.
a]Download Java:
b]Download Novacom Universal Installer:
c]Download WebOSQuickInstall-4.5.0:
3)Run the WebOSQuickInstall-4.5.0 software, note your TouchPad must be connected with the USB cable.
-Click on the Small globe icon located under the plus minus buttons.
-This will take us to a new menu where we will search "preware"
-Click the install button and the Preware app will be installed.
-You may now unplug the USB cable.
4)On the tablet while booted into WebOS navigate to downloads and select Preware.
-scroll down until you see a button appear to continue
-Search for "wterm" and install the app.
-Run wterm, and set a password to give the app Root permissions.
- You can set or change the password by looking for the wterm menu in the upper left corner and select setup.
-Click on New password and enter a simple password like "0000"
-Confirm the password and press "Set Password" button, now hit done and exit.
-Note you can increase the font size by going to wterm preference settings.
5) Now in wterm enter one of the following commands:
PmA6Updater -f -d 0 /lib/firmware/a6_firmware.txt.00
PmA6Updater -a (Note this shorter command flashes two firmwares)
-It should take about 20-30 seconds to complete and will inform you upon completion.
-Congratulations you have now reflashed the A6 Firmware using method 2 and can safely close the terminal and reboot your HP TouchPad.
**************************************************************************************************************
(Posted by J.C. Sullins in the "How to install CM10 thread)
"I've been developing/testing the low battery drain for several weeks now with minimum drain as mentioned elsewhere. Then, a few days ago, all of sudden, it wouldn't drop below 18-22mA. After checking several things, I decided to check in webOS. Same thing in webOS.
So, on a hunch, I decided to reflash the A6 firmware (see tpdebrick-v004 thread).
Back to normal now.
My explanation: The A6 firmware is a bit flakey and reflashing it's firmware resets some of it's non-volatile memory to a known-good state.
BTW, if you follow the tpdebrick-v004 process, please send me the "typescript" file obtained when you do so."
*********************************************************************************************************
All of this has created a whole new set of questions and concerns about battery drain and how it is going to be addressed.
I've created this thread to give everyone a place to discuss this and not clog up other threads.
UPDATE:
New methods of flashing the A6 firmware have been found and forum member RolandDeschain79 has been working overtime to create a written guide and two videos on how to flash the A6 firmware. First the videos:
Flashing A6 firmware, method 1:
https://www.youtube....h?v=3T2Apdc15uY
Flashing A6 firmware, method 2:
https://www.youtube....h?v=5lOGY94RRDs
Flashing A6 firmware method 3:
If you prefer a written guide read on:
HP TouchPad Battery Drain issues during sleep (Important):
The Problem:
Developer James Sullins, Aka Jcsullins, has informed HP TouchPads users that there is a problem with our tablets A6 Firmware. This issue can cause an usually high battery drain during sleep. This problem occurs overtime while running both CyanogeMod and WebOS, on the HP TouchPad. As a result the Touchpads battery drains more quickly with daily use and the overall life span is reduced.
The Solution:
Reflashing the A6 Firmware effectively fixes the problem but may need to be repeated as a part of regular HP TouchPad maintenance.
How to test:
How to monitor your battery
To monitor your battery drain history during sleep install the free app Battery Monitor Widget:
-Once installed open the app and go to history to see a log of your devices sleep history.
-To setup the Battery Calibration correctly for the HP TouchPad, this is based on the capacity of the installed battery in your
TouchPad. The next instruction tells you how.
-go to BMW settings/calibration/Battery capacity/ and set it to 6300 (*f29c), 6000 (*i29c) or 5800 (*s29c) and tap OK
-Note* See the Battery p/n # on the original packaging. Based on the p/n of your battery, set the capacity as described above.
-Note* after setting the calibration, users will have to allow several hours to pass while battery history in being accumulated.
Or
You can also use Cool-Tools to monitor your battery drain in real time.
-Watch the instructional video Here.
A6 Firmware Threads & Info:
Battery Drain issues on HP TouchPad (This thread you are reading)
[Fix Guide] How to Reflash the A6 Firmware XDA
How to Reflash the A6 Firmware Method 1:
[Video] How to fix the A6 firmware Battery Drain Problem on the HP TouchPad Method 1
1) Boot to WebOs and in the "Just Type" box enter the following: webos20090606 or upupdowndownleftrightleftrightbastart
-Tap the developer mode icon and slide the toggle to on, then press submit.
-WARNING: Do not enter a password. Just tap submit.
-Plug the USB cable into the HP TouchPad and your PC.
2)Install Java and the Novacom software*
- Note* If you have already previously installed Android with, Java and Novacom drivers, then proceed to step 3.
a]Download Java:
b]Download Novacom Universal Installer:
3)Open windows explorer and go to C:\Program Files\Palm, Inc\Terminal
-Now run the Terminal.bat*
-Note* if you are using a 64 bit OS and get the Error "Windows cannot find Javaw..." you will need to copy the Javaw.eve from C:\Windows\SysWOW64 and paste it into C:\Windows\System32.
4)In the open Novaterm window, select file\connect\Ok
-Now copy and paste the following line into Novaterm and press enter*
PmA6Updater -f -d 0 /lib/firmware/a6_firmware.txt.00
-Note* Do Not! disconnect the TouchPad After starting this procedure.
-Novaterm will tell you "firmware update complete"
- In the open Novaterm window, select file\disconnect\Ok
-Congratulations you have now refashed the A6 Firmware using method 1 and can safely disconnect your HP TouchPad from the USB cable.
How to Reflash the A6 Firmware Method 2:
[Video] How to fix the A6 firmware Battery Drain Problem on the HP TouchPad Method 2
1) Boot to WebOs and in the "Just Type" box enter the following: webos20090606 or upupdowndownleftrightleftrightbastart
-Tap the developer mode icon and slide the toggle to on, then press submit.
-WARNING: Do not enter a password. Just tap submit.
-Plug the USB cable into the HP TouchPad and your PC.
2)On your PC Install Java, Novacom and the WebOSQuickInstall-4.5.0 software*
- Note* If you have already previously installed Android with Java and Novacom, then proceed to step 3.
a]Download Java:
b]Download Novacom Universal Installer:
c]Download WebOSQuickInstall-4.5.0:
3)Run the WebOSQuickInstall-4.5.0 software, note your TouchPad must be connected with the USB cable.
-Click on the Small globe icon located under the plus minus buttons.
-This will take us to a new menu where we will search "preware"
-Click the install button and the Preware app will be installed.
-You may now unplug the USB cable.
4)On the tablet while booted into WebOS navigate to downloads and select Preware.
-scroll down until you see a button appear to continue
-Search for "wterm" and install the app.
-Run wterm, and set a password to give the app Root permissions.
- You can set or change the password by looking for the wterm menu in the upper left corner and select setup.
-Click on New password and enter a simple password like "0000"
-Confirm the password and press "Set Password" button, now hit done and exit.
-Note you can increase the font size by going to wterm preference settings.
5) Now in wterm enter one of the following commands:
PmA6Updater -f -d 0 /lib/firmware/a6_firmware.txt.00
PmA6Updater -a (Note this shorter command flashes two firmwares)
-It should take about 20-30 seconds to complete and will inform you upon completion.
-Congratulations you have now reflashed the A6 Firmware using method 2 and can safely close the terminal and reboot your HP TouchPad.