Windows 7 i can't play movies properly on my laptop when my AC charger isn't plugged in. worked fine on Vista

[jimmy44]

when my laptop is plugged in i can play movies, games, everything fine. however when the laptop isn't plugged in, movie playback is terrible- all jumpy and broken, no matter what video player i use. usually, movies will play fine until the battery drops to around the 50% level. i've played around with different power management settings, but nothing seems to make a difference.

also (not sure if these two issues are related), occasionally (because my laptop is almost always plugged in) the laptop won't charge when plugged in. this only happens sometimes, and not every time the laptop is off the charger. hovering over the power management icon, i get (for example) '69% available, Plugged in, not charging' even though the AC charger is plugged in. it takes a few hours before it starts charging.

because my laptop is mostly plugged in, neither of these are big issues. however it does suck immensely sitting in an airport after having had a flight delayed, with a HD full of quality video, but not being able to watch anything.

this problem has persisted even though i've replaced the charger. i know it seems like a battery issue, but because i never had this problem on Vista, i'm thinking it may be related to win7 somehow?

any thoughts?

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're experiencing two separate issues with your laptop:

1. Poor Video Playback on Battery Power: When your laptop is not plugged in, video playback becomes choppy and broken, regardless of the video player used. This issue typically occurs when the battery level drops to around 50%.
2. Intermittent Charging Issue: Occasionally, when your laptop is plugged in, the battery does not charge. The power management icon shows a message like 'Plugged in, not charging' even though the AC charger is connected. This problem resolves after a few hours. Let's address these issues individually:
   

   Poor Video Playback on Battery Power:​

   • Power Settings: Since you've already tried adjusting power management settings without success, there may be a different underlying cause.
   • Battery Performance: The battery may not be delivering enough power consistently under load, causing the video playback issues. This could be due to battery degradation or a faulty battery.
   • Driver Update: Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers can sometimes cause performance issues.

   Intermittent Charging Issue:​

   • Battery Calibration: It's possible that the battery calibration is off. Try calibrating the battery to help the system accurately detect its charge level.
   • Charger Connection: Check the charger cable and the charging port for any damage or debris. A faulty connection can lead to charging issues.
   • BIOS Update: Updating the BIOS to the latest version can sometimes resolve charging problems.
   • Battery Health: Even though you've replaced the charger, if the issue persists, it could be related to the battery health or the laptop's charging circuitry.

   Windows 7 Compatibility:​

   • Compatibility Mode: Windows 7 is older, and there might be compatibility issues with newer hardware or drivers. You can try running certain programs in compatibility mode to see if that helps. While you didn't have these issues on Vista, it's worth considering that hardware and software components evolve, and issues may arise due to new configurations or updates. It might also be worth checking the battery health and considering a replacement if it's significantly degraded. These steps can help diagnose and potentially resolve the issues you're facing with video playback and charging. Let me know if you need further assistance!