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powertop

Posted: 05 Jun 2011, 19:54
by nik256
I use powertop to look what is going on with power on my computer and I have some suggestions from powertop what to do to save some energy.
It would be a good idea to insert it in distribution.

for example:

Suggestion: Enable USB autosuspend for non-input devices by pressing the U key

Suggestion: Enable the CONFIG_PM_RUNTIME kernel configuration option.
This option enables the kernel to manage power for various devices in your compu
ter.

Suggestion: Enable the CONFIG_NO_HZ kernel configuration option.
This option is required to get any kind of longer sleep times in the CPU.

Suggestion: Enable the CONFIG_PCIEASPM kernel configuration option.
PCI Link Powermanagement (ASPM) allows the hardware to go to low power mode
automatically when a PCI-E device is idle.

Re: powertop

Posted: 06 Jun 2011, 13:07
by brokenman
Suggestion: Enable the CONFIG_PM_RUNTIME kernel configuration option.
Already enabled

Suggestion: Enable the CONFIG_NO_HZ kernel configuration option.
Already enabled

Suggestion: Enable the CONFIG_PCIEASPM kernel configuration option.
This one is not set

modprobe configs && zcat /proc/config.gz >/tmp/config

There are also various kernel modules available for different laptops to access extra power settings. modprobe acpi is a good example of a kernel mod.

E.g: modprobe acer-wmi
acerhdf (Aspire 1 thermal) allow kernel to handle the fan
asus_laptop
dell_laptop
dell_wmi
fujitsu_laptop
hp_wmi
msi_laptop
panasonic_laptop
sony_laptop
ideapad_laptop
thinkpad_laptop
eeepc-wmi
wwwpc-laptop

Re: powertop

Posted: 06 Jun 2011, 15:57
by Ahau
This is smelling like a good entry for porteus tips n tricks.

For clarity's sake, please confirm that this is correct:

Porteus ships with several kernel modules that may allow you to access advanced power settings for your laptop. To use one of these modules, you must load it with the modprobe command, e.g.

modprobe acpi

Other modules that are included and may work for specific hardware are:

acer-wmi
acerhdf (Aspire 1 thermal) allow kernel to handle the fan
asus_laptop
dell_laptop
dell_wmi
fujitsu_laptop
hp_wmi
msi_laptop
panasonic_laptop
sony_laptop
ideapad_laptop
thinkpad_laptop
eeepc-wmi
wwwpc-laptop

@brokenman, after someone loads one of these modules, where would they go to gain access to adjust the settings, or view enhanced information?

Thanks!

Re: powertop

Posted: 06 Jun 2011, 23:44
by brokenman
Somehow i knew i would find you here Ahau. :lol:

I went through my last kernel configuration and wrote down all the extra useful kernel modules that were enabled, and the commands to load the module. My writing was a little messy so i may need to confirm some of those commands ... they are certainly either underscore or dash.

After modprobing (as root) some functionality will automatically be available, but may require a third party program to interact. modprobe acpi for example would require the acpid module (available on our repo i think). Others allow one to inject calls through /proc/ or /sys/. For example after: modprobe acerhdf
one can use: echo -n enabled > /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone0/mode to control their fan. There are sometimes websites that explain the functions more but i didn't write all of these down. Here is a good place to search though: http://cateee.net/lkddb/web-lkddb/
On my laptop having the hp-wmi module loaded allows automatically, support for WMI-based hotkeys on HP laptops and to read data from WMI such as docking or ambient light sensor state.

I have a whole bunch written down here:

videodev (Video for linux)
DVB (dvb core)
meye (Sony Vaio Motion Eye)
usblp (USB Printer)
mmc_sdhci (support for those new fandangle flash devices)
pciehp (PCIE)
apm=off (advanced power management for people not wanting to use acpi)
pci_hotplug
acpiphp (PCI ACPI hotplug support)
irda (although not supported on 32bit rc2)
bluetooth (only for 64bit)
raid0
raid1
raid456 (raid arrays)

Next kernel compile i will get the websites that contain more info.

Re: powertop

Posted: 07 Jun 2011, 01:41
by Ahau
Is there somewhere on this forum where you don't expect to find me, brokenman? :D

You can't just go around giving up juicy pearls like these and not expect me to get all obsessive-compulsive about documenting it.

Good work, and I look forward to when you have more info to share. I'm adding this one on my to-do (someday) list.