Any known issues installing in a laptop with the battery removed? (self.debian)

submitted 1 year ago by Benjamin to c/debian@lemmy.ml

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I've been fighting an install of the latest Gnome iso. Got a working install now, but the CPU is always chugging, even at idle on the desktop. I know that previously this machine was buttery smooth. But now my cursor can't even smoothly move across the screen.

Occasionally, the task tray button area will acknowledge my screen can flip.

More often though, it doesn't show the rotation option.

My Wi-Fi card works, but cuts out if Bluetooth is active. I know this is a sign it isn't using the correct drivers, as this issue didn't exist prior.

Ath10k needs to be loaded, and no amount of installing it via Synpatic puts it where it needs to be.

I'm wondering if since the machine no longer has a battery... can that screw up something in the detection of hardware? Is it possible I'm missing something on a deeper level?

I know this machine was far quicker and smoother on the prior Debian release... and the battery was still present when it was installed... but it became a spicy pillow in the meantime and had to be disposed of.

Still losing my mind over this.

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[-] Karubi1234@feddit.nl 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Sounds quite complicated issues. Did you try with any other distro?

Your battery removal doesn't cause any of your problems. I've used multiple laptops without batteries long-term (even for years) with zero issues.

If any other distro doesn't resolve your problems, I suspect your motherboard is either corroded or has broken components on it.

[-] Benjamin 1 points 1 year ago

Corroded... that's something I hadn't considered...

This is my "outside" laptop... been using it in places I wouldn't want to risk a more expensive machine... 🤔 think I'll disassemble it and check for corrosion...

Could be something in the process of breaking... could explain the erratic behaviors, I guess?

I haven't tried any other distro yet. I've been with Debian my whole Linux life. But I might try XFCE again... that was my preferred desktop for years, only the new update triggered me to try Gnome properly.

[-] unix_joe@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 year ago

Some laptop manufacturers disable functions and stay in low performance throttle if there is no battery present, and remain that way until a new one is installed. Apple does this.

Some laptop manufacturers disable features if their operating system is not installed. Apple disables integrated Intel graphics, for example, and forces amd graphics on Linux and OpenBSD.

So its not impossible that your laptop is crippled by design without the battery.

[-] Benjamin 1 points 1 year ago

With your information, and realizing I still have made virtually no progress...

Ugh. This is ridiculous. I was aware Apple did shiesty stuff, but never heard of anyone else.

The difference is staggering, and I have to believe something similar has happened.

This laptop was previously my test bed for Linux itself. Old Faithful, if you know what I mean. Got me confident enough to actually use Linux. Compile stuff. Tinker. 🥰

Got me to acquire another, newer laptop for Linux. Confidence, even if only a drop.

Thank you for replying and sharing. I can't think of anything else being the issue.

this post was submitted on 04 Oct 2023

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