kde battery life estimation opensuse 12.1

English Hardware
1

Hi guys, i’m giving opensuse another go and there’s something that annoys me. When i click the battery icon in the kde panel it shows the percentage but it doesn’t show the estimation of how long the battery will last. I’ve found this issue in a few other distros before and have solved it with these instructions.

Right click on the battery and choose “Battery Monitor Settings”
    Enable “Show charge information” and click on “OK”
    Quit plasma-desktop with the command

        kquitapp plasma-desktop

    Open ~/.kde4/share/config/plasma-desktop-appletsrc in your favorite text editor (some distributions use other paths, for example ~/.kde/...)
    Search for the term

        showBatteryString=true

    and add the following line directly below it:

        showRemainingTime=true

    Start plasma-desktop again

        plasma-desktop

You may disable “Show charge information” now if you want.

But this doesn’t work in opensuse 12.1. Does anyone know how to get this to work?

2

Hi…

> knightron wrote:
> Hi guys, i’m giving opensuse another go and there’s something that
> annoys me. When i click the battery icon in the kde panel it shows the
> percentage but it doesn’t show the estimation of how long the battery
> will last. I’ve found this issue in a few other distros before and have
> solved it with these instructions.
>
> Code:
> --------------------
> Right click on the battery and choose “Battery Monitor Settings”
> Enable “Show charge information” and click on “OK”
> Quit plasma-desktop with the command
>
> kquitapp plasma-desktop
>
> Open ~/.kde4/share/config/plasma-desktop-appletsrc in your favorite text
> editor (some distributions use other paths, for example ~/.kde/…)
> Search for the term
>
> showBatteryString=true
>
> and add the following line directly below it:
>
> showRemainingTime=true
>
> Start plasma-desktop again
>
> plasma-desktop
>
> You may disable “Show charge information” now if you want.
>
> --------------------
> But this doesn’t work in opensuse 12.1. Does anyone know how to get
> this to work?

I just tried and:
it DID work for me exactly as described.
So thanks for the hint, and I guess you should try it again…

–
arkascha

3

lol, i’m glad i was able to help you. I have tried this method once again on the opensuse 12.1 partition i have and it still doesn’t work. My computer is a thinkpad x220 if that changes anything. The install was made from an opensuse 12.1 64bit install disc (not upgrade), thought that may make a difference.

4

Knightron, I also thank you for the tip

Dumb question, did you verify the install media?
Good hunting.

5

knightron wrote:

>
> lol, i’m glad i was able to help you. I have tried this method once
> again on the opensuse 12.1 partition i have and it still doesn’t work.
> My computer is a thinkpad x220 if that changes anything. The install was
> made from an opensuse 12.1 64bit install disc (not upgrade), thought
> that may make a difference.

I wonder why so many users don’t upgrade their installation from time to
time. It may come as a surprise to some people, but sometimes upgrades even
fix some problems…

Anyway, I doubt that is the problem you are facing here.
Check again your
~/.kde4/share/config/plasma-desktop-appletsrc
Maybe there are two sections for the battery monitor ? The same option
mentioned twice ?
I also suggest you post that file here via a pastebin link (AFTER having
stripped it of any usernames and passwords some stupid plasmoids may have
stored in there).

–
arkascha

6

Gday guys, no i don’t think i did check the mdsum before install; i know i should have but; laziness probably got the better of me.
arkascha, What i meant by, not upgrade, is that i did the install as a frsh install, and that it wasn’t an upgrade from an older version. I do, do updates. Just had to clear that misunderstanding up. Thanks for the tip; here’s my file.


klaye@linux-5a2c:~> cat ~/.kde4/share/config/plasma-desktop-appletsrc
$Version]
update_info=plasma_popupapplet_fix_groups.upd:PlasmaPopupAppletFixGroups1

[ActionPlugins]
RightButton;NoModifier=contextmenu

[AppletGlobals][plasma_applet_pager]
rows=2

[Containments][1]
activity=
activityId=
desktop=-1
formfactor=2
geometry=0,-33,1366,27
immutability=1
lastDesktop=-1
lastScreen=0
location=4
plugin=panel
screen=0
zvalue=0

[Containments][1][ActionPlugins]
RightButton;NoModifier=contextmenu

[Containments][1][Applets][2]
geometry=0,2,25,25
immutability=2
plugin=launcher
zvalue=0

[Containments][1][Applets][2][LayoutInformation]
Order=0

[Containments][1][Applets][2][Shortcuts]
global=Alt+F1

[Containments][1][Applets][5]
geometry=323,2,801,25
immutability=2
plugin=tasks
zvalue=0

[Containments][1][Applets][5][Configuration]
Share=false
forceRows=false
groupWhenFull=true
groupingStrategy=2
highlightWindows=false
maxRows=2
showOnlyCurrentActivity=true
showOnlyCurrentDesktop=true
showOnlyCurrentScreen=false
showOnlyMinimized=false
showTooltip=true
sortingStrategy=2

[Containments][1][Applets][5][LayoutInformation]
Order=13

[Containments][1][Applets][6]
geometry=1128,2,184,25
immutability=2
plugin=systemtray
zvalue=0

[Containments][1][Applets][6][Configuration]
DefaultAppletsAdded=true

[Containments][1][Applets][6][Configuration][Applets][51]
geometry=0,0.5,24,24
immutability=1
plugin=notifications
zvalue=0

[Containments][1][Applets][6][Configuration][Applets][51][Configuration]
customPosition=-15,11
customPositionAffinityHoriz=r
customPositionAffinityVert=b

[Containments][1][Applets][6][Configuration][Applets][51][Configuration][ExtenderItems][2]
extenderIconName=dialog-information
extenderItemName=jobGroup
extenderItemPosition=0
extenderTitle=Jobs
isCollapsed=true
isGroup=true
sourceAppletId=51
sourceAppletPluginName=notifications

[Containments][1][Applets][6][Configuration][Applets][51][PopupApplet]
DialogHeight=98
DialogWidth=214

[Containments][1][Applets][6][Configuration][Applets][52]
geometry=139,0.5,24,24
immutability=1
plugin=org.kde.networkmanagement
zvalue=0

[Containments][1][Applets][6][Configuration][Applets][52][PopupApplet]
DialogHeight=407
DialogWidth=657

[Containments][1][Applets][6][Configuration][Applets][53]
geometry=4,4,24,24
immutability=1
plugin=notifier
zvalue=0

[Containments][1][Applets][6][Configuration][Applets][54]
geometry=111,0.5,24,24
immutability=1
plugin=battery
zvalue=0

[Containments][1][Applets][6][Configuration][Applets][54][Configuration]
Share=false
showBatteryString=false
showRemainingTime=true

[Containments][1][Applets][6][Configuration][Shortcuts]
Systemtray-Klipper-6=Ctrl+Alt+V

[Containments][1][Applets][6][LayoutInformation]
Order=14

[Containments][1][Applets][6][PopupApplet]
DialogHeight=88
DialogWidth=192

[Containments][1][Applets][61]
geometry=49,2,25,25
immutability=2
plugin=icon
zvalue=2

[Containments][1][Applets][61][Configuration]
Url=file:///usr/share/applications/kde4/konsole.desktop

[Containments][1][Applets][61][LayoutInformation]
Order=2

[Containments][1][Applets][62]
geometry=196,2,25,25
immutability=2
plugin=icon
zvalue=3

[Containments][1][Applets][62][Configuration]
Url=file:///usr/share/applications/firefox.desktop

[Containments][1][Applets][62][LayoutInformation]
Order=8

[Containments][1][Applets][63]
geometry=98,2,25,25
immutability=2
plugin=folderview
zvalue=1

[Containments][1][Applets][63][Configuration]
Share=false
blankLabel=false
customLabel=
filter=0
filterFiles=*
geometry=98,2,25,25
immutability=2
mimeFilter=
plugin=folderview
sortDirsFirst=true
url=file:///home/klaye/data
zvalue=1

[Containments][1][Applets][63][LayoutInformation]
Order=4

[Containments][1][Applets][64]
geometry=29,2,16,25
immutability=2
plugin=panelspacer_internal
zvalue=5

[Containments][1][Applets][64][Configuration]
FixedSize=true

[Containments][1][Applets][64][LayoutInformation]
Order=1

[Containments][1][Applets][65]
geometry=78,2,16,25
immutability=2
plugin=panelspacer_internal
zvalue=7

[Containments][1][Applets][65][Configuration]
FixedSize=true

[Containments][1][Applets][65][LayoutInformation]
Order=3

[Containments][1][Applets][66]
geometry=127,2,16,25
immutability=2
plugin=panelspacer_internal
zvalue=9

[Containments][1][Applets][66][Configuration]
FixedSize=true

[Containments][1][Applets][66][LayoutInformation]
Order=5

[Containments][1][Applets][67]
geometry=176,2,16,25
immutability=2
plugin=panelspacer_internal
zvalue=11

[Containments][1][Applets][67][Configuration]
FixedSize=true

[Containments][1][Applets][67][LayoutInformation]
Order=7

[Containments][1][Applets][68]
geometry=274,2,16,25
immutability=2
plugin=panelspacer_internal
zvalue=13

[Containments][1][Applets][68][Configuration]
FixedSize=true

[Containments][1][Applets][68][LayoutInformation]
Order=11

[Containments][1][Applets][69]
geometry=225,2,16,25
immutability=2
plugin=panelspacer_internal
zvalue=15

[Containments][1][Applets][69][Configuration]
FixedSize=true

[Containments][1][Applets][69][LayoutInformation]
Order=9

[Containments][1][Applets][7]
geometry=1316,2,50,25
immutability=2
plugin=digital-clock
zvalue=0

[Containments][1][Applets][7][Configuration][ExtenderItems][1]
extenderIconName=view-pim-calendar
extenderItemName=calendar
extenderItemPosition=0
extenderTitle=Calendar
isCollapsed=false
sourceAppletId=7
sourceAppletPluginName=digital-clock

[Containments][1][Applets][7][LayoutInformation]
Order=15

[Containments][1][Applets][7][PopupApplet]
DialogHeight=284
DialogWidth=468

[Containments][1][Applets][72]
geometry=245,2,25,25
immutability=2
plugin=icon
zvalue=16

[Containments][1][Applets][72][Configuration]
Url=file:///usr/share/applications/opera-browser.desktop

[Containments][1][Applets][72][LayoutInformation]
Order=10

[Containments][1][Applets][73]
geometry=147,2,25,25
immutability=2
plugin=icon
zvalue=17

[Containments][1][Applets][73][Configuration]
Url=file:///usr/share/applications/clementine.desktop

[Containments][1][Applets][73][LayoutInformation]
Order=6

[Containments][1][Applets][74]
geometry=294,2,25,25
immutability=2
plugin=icon
zvalue=0

[Containments][1][Applets][74][Configuration]
Url=file:///usr/share/applications/thunderbird.desktop

[Containments][1][Applets][74][LayoutInformation]
Order=12

[Containments][1][Configuration]
maximumSize=1366,27
minimumSize=1366,27

[Containments][10]
ActionPluginsSource=Global
activity=Desktop Icons
activityId=7c5d473a-0a6c-412a-99ea-dfdc243a49bc
alignToGrid=true
blankLabel=false
customLabel=
desktop=-1
formfactor=0
geometry=0,0,1366,768
immutability=1
lastDesktop=-1
lastScreen=0
location=0
plugin=folderview
savedPositions=1,8,gimp.desktop,108,108,Office.desktop,108,10,Home,10,108,Trash,10,206,YaST.desktop,10,304,myComputer.desktop,10,10,Windows 7.desktop,10,402,Debian Squeeze.desktop,10,500
screen=0
sortColumn=-1
wallpaperplugin=image
wallpaperpluginmode=SingleImage
zvalue=0

[Containments][10][Applets][75]
geometry=921,45,400,300
immutability=2
plugin=weather
zvalue=20

[Containments][10][Applets][75][Configuration]
Share=false
pressureUnit=5007
source=wettercom|weather|Maryborough, State of Victoria, AU|AU0VI0026;Maryborough
speedUnit=9001
temperatureUnit=6001
updateInterval=30
visibilityUnit=2007

[Containments][10][Applets][76]
geometry=1000,550,277,180
immutability=2
plugin=sm_cpu
zvalue=21

[Containments][10][Wallpaper][image]
slideTimer=10
slidepaths=/usr/share/wallpapers/
userswallpapers=/Data/pictures/wallpapers/fedora_15_lovelock_wallpaper_by_samtate-d3k4e7q.png,/Data/pictures/wallpapers/107259-Robbin Hood.jpg,/Data/pictures/wallpapers/nice_white_flowers_desktop_wallpaper_46787.jpg,/Data/pictures/wallpapers/Nice_wallpaper.jpg,/Data/pictures/wallpapers/nightlights2.jpg,/Data/pictures/wallpapers/Serenity_Enchanted_by_sirpecangum.jpg
wallpaper=/usr/share/wallpapers/stripes.png
wallpapercolor=0,0,0
wallpaperposition=2

[Containments][60]
ActionPluginsSource=Global
EnabledEntries=plasma-sal-bookmarks.desktop,plasma-sal-contacts.desktop,plasma-sal-multimedia.desktop,plasma-sal-internet.desktop,plasma-sal-graphics.desktop,plasma-sal-education.desktop,plasma-sal-games.desktop,plasma-sal-office.desktop
activity=Search and Launch
activityId=c3a29c57-0d11-496c-8282-a690f0542534
desktop=-1
formfactor=2
geometry=1372,0,1366,768
immutability=1
lastDesktop=-1
lastScreen=0
location=0
orientation=2
plugin=sal
screen=-1
wallpaperplugin=image
wallpaperpluginmode=SingleImage
zvalue=0

[Containments][60][Wallpaper][image]
slideTimer=10
slidepaths=/usr/share/wallpapers/
userswallpapers=
wallpaper=/usr/share/wallpapers/Blue_Curl/
wallpapercolor=0,0,0
wallpaperposition=0

[General]
immutability=2
7

Hi,

> knightron wrote:
> Thanks for the tip; here’s my file.

looks all fine to me, sorry.

Just one more thing:

  • the remaining ime is only shown when the laptop is actually running on
    battery and recognized that.
  • funny enough, but that line also is only shown in the popup after clicking
    on the battery applet, not in the tooltip when hovering.

Apart from that I could imaging that the availability of the feature depends
on the combination of kernel and hardware. Quite a few of such options are
silently disabled in KDE when the hardware support does not exist. So you
might have to check:

  • kernel driver support on your hardware
  • the applets source code to find out what is missing

Good luck…
arkascha

8

Same here on a netbook w/ oS 12.1 KDE 4.8.1, except that when on charge it shows the remaining time to 100% charge.

This worked also after the original installation, with KDE 4.7.x, but from what I read 4.8.0/1 had some power management improvements, perhaps you might want to try it, it’s much faster than 4.7.x.

9

Ok guys, i never removed that line in my ~/.kde4/share/config/plasma-desktop-appletsrc after putting it there despite it not working. Today i upgraded kde to 4.8.1. I’m very impressed. It has cleared up this issue for me :slight_smile: so thanks for the tip brunomcl. I was also having freeze issues when connecting to my mobile broadband. I read in the change log that they fixed a bug with modem manager, and sure enough, i’m no longer suffering the issue anymore. A+ for kde4.8

10

Ok guys, i hate to revive this little issue again, but i’ve done a clean install of 12.2 today, and once again, i can no longer view remaining time. I’ve tried my usual trick i displayed on the opening of this thread but still nothing. Any suggestions? I do not want to upgrade kde to 4.9. Opensuse is the only distro i’ve experienced this in.

11

I know in KDE 4.9 the feature has been removed. https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=304510

12

Well that sucks. Thanks for the info. I’ll just hide it away and install batti then. Thank you

13

For others that aren’t happy with kdes battery monitor for removing this feature, i just wanted to inform you all of what i have done. batti, the program i mentioned earlier is not in the repos, and before compiling, i decided to look for alternatives, and i found one. I have installed the ‘unstable’ ‘ptbatterysystemtray’ package, from here;
software.opensuse.org:
ptbatterysystemtray is the battery monitor for the razor-qt desktop environment. I just downloaded and installed it from the rpm, and it worked with out any dependency errors straight away on my system. I had to tell it to start on boot, and i’ve now hidden the kde battery monitor away. I’t’s working well and i recomend it to anyone else who wants this feature back.
Thankyou, to the guys maintaining the X11:QtDesktop repo (-:

As a side note, in the Opensuse package search there is a package called ‘plasmoid-battery’. This package claims to add the ability to turn the ‘remaining time’ feature on and off. I installed this first and sure enough there is a place to turn it on and off, but alas whether it’s on or off, remaining time is never present.

hth