Batteries and Power

[MrMGA]

I'm thinking of using my M55 laptop as a phone (MagicJack) and fax server in my home office. That requires 24x7 powering by the AC adapter. The Users Guide says this will burn out the battery. The battery is already shot (holds a charge for 15 minutes) so that isn't an issue. 95% of the time, the laptop will be in Standby mode. I found that opening up MagicJack or receiving a fax automaticallly awakens the M55 out of Standby, thereby making it the perfect (I think) computer for the job. My question is, are there other reasons (besides the battery) why I wouldn't want the AC adapter plugged in round-the-clock with the computer in Standby mode? Will something else get burned out?     

[MrMGA]

No replies to date, but it's a moot point. I got my facts wrong. A MagicJack will not awaken the M55 from Standby mode. On the contrary, an active installed MagicJack will not allow the laptop to go into Standby mode in the first place. I'm not sure why, but it probably has something to do with MagicJack's use of AutoRun/AutoPlay (i.e., emulating a CD-ROM drive.) In any case, it means my idea of using the M55 as a "telephone and fax server" will not work. By the way, the fax software does work in Standby mode.

[Seneca]

I've run my A205 on AC for prolonged periods, both in Standby and not, without adverse effects.  Probably not the best idea for my battery, but shouldn't damage anything else in the machine.  With your already deceased battery, you could just disable Standby mode, although MagicJack apparently already does this - laptops draw so little power anyways that you shouldn't see much of an impact on your Power Bill.  I've considered using my A205 as an Internet Web server in the same vein.

... Why won't your idea work?  Just don't use Standby...

[MrMGA]

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Seneca wrote:

I've run my A205 on AC for prolonged periods, both in Standby and not, without adverse effects.  Probably not the best idea for my battery, but shouldn't damage anything else in the machine.  With your already deceased battery, you could just disable Standby mode, although MagicJack apparently already does this - laptops draw so little power anyways that you shouldn't see much of an impact on your Power Bill.  I've considered using my A205 as an Internet Web server in the same vein.

... Why won't your idea work?  Just don't use Standby...

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I understand your suggestion. Just leave the M55 in "On" mode full time. My concern is over the durability of the laptop. A good desktop is designed to run 24x7, but is a laptop? It would be in full "on" mode for days at a time. Even when it is "idling" the fan expels warm air from inside the machine. It gets noticeably warm. Can the CPU and other internals stand the heat? I need the M55 for occasional traveling; I don't want to burn it out.