crappy battery after OTA

[AllForNaught]

I believe I was addressing specifically what the gentlemen had said about batteries going simply because folks are suddenly using phones more after update. Not overall care for batteries.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using DroidForums

I was addressing your presumption that your 'bad' battery life has anything whatsoever to do with the OTA, and it may be how you and others are using your phones with the new functionality that's the culprit.

Are you shutting off 3G when making calls, or generally when you're not using it? They're split functions with 2.2 now, which means they're 2 different RAM assignments. 2.2 offers more options, but the trade off is you have to be more attentive to what functions you're using and which you aren't. With 3G off, your Fascinate is just about like a normal cell phone.

2.2 uses a bit more RAM than 2.1 did.

Do you shut your phone off when charging or leave it on?

How many home screens are you using? More homescreens = more RAM. The battery usage will be greater with 2.2 because it's faster than 2.1. I use one:

View attachment 32146

Also, there's a RAM manager now to utilize - are you killing RAM when not using or leaving it run in the background? I kill it when done with a gaming/networking/internet/media session. When killed, it uses 134mb of RAM, how much is yours when you kill it?

My point is: we have the same device, with the same software, but vastly different battery life results. That means: it's not the software, or your phone.

It's either the battery is bad, or the way you're using your device.

I'm just trying to help you by figuring out what the disparities are.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using DroidForums

 

[AllForNaught]

I broke down and did a factory reset. I have the 2200mah battery from Verizon. I'm only getting about 6-8hours out of it.. it got even worse after the reset..

Sent from my SCH-I500 using DroidForums

Refer to the above post.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using DroidForums

 

[AllForNaught]

You should all just give up on Samsung and root! I did and now after a full day of school(6:19am-3:00pm)and moderate use I still have 87% battery left.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using DroidForums

I'm getting about the same without rooting, thanks.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using DroidForums

 

[ToddG]

Howdy folks, been lurking on this site since December when my wife and I both acquired our new smart phones (we both had BBs before these phones).

I have the DroidX and it's been an incredible phone so far.

The wife has the Fascinate and she's been loving it, that is until I did the latest OTA update two days ago.
That's what prompted me to register and also what brought me to this thread.

Her battery life is horrible after the update.
We have not changed anything else, no new apps, widgets etc..
I'm just trying to resolve this issue since she doesn't want to have to charge her phone in the middle of the day.
Before the update she could go all day with moderate use and still have 70% of the battery life at night before she went to bed.
She (unfortunately) leaves her phone on when charging overnight since she uses the alarm on the phone to wake to.

I have read this entire thread and tried the suggestion of charging to 100% with phone on, turning off phone and charging again to 100%, then turning on phone and charging again to 100%.
She took the phone off the charger this morning and will be monitoring the battery closely today, we have our fingers crossed.

Anyway, like somebody posted earlier I doubt many Fascinate owners would actually post to a forum as I see the fascinate as appealing more to the ladies and youngsters.
Another reason I posted to this thread, to spread the word on our experience with this latest OTA update and see what solutions have come to light.

I will post back after today's trial of the "battery fix" and report our results.
I'll be keeping an eye on this thread so keep the ideas for a fix coming please, we need this resolved.

A last effort of course would be to take it in to Verizon and see what they can tell us.

I appreciate all the suggestions so far.
Thanks for reading my lengthy post and wish us luck on rectifying this situation with her phone.

EDIT (12:07pm): Lunch time here, I just talked to the Wife and she says the battery is still draining rapidly, sucks.
She said it was already down to 70% and she hardly touched it this morning (she's at work).
I may try the factory reset, seems this fixes the issue for some folks.
That or I'll take it to Verizon this weekend, this has to be resolved soon.
I'm the one that applied the update so the Wife isn't too happy with the phone or me right now, lol. :frown:

 

[Cgries]

I'm having same problem. Let me know if factory reset works.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using DroidForums

 

[Jenaht]

Howdy folks, been lurking on this site since December when my wife and I both acquired our new smart phones (we both had BBs before these phones).

I have the DroidX and it's been an incredible phone so far.

The wife has the Fascinate and she's been loving it, that is until I did the latest OTA update two days ago.
That's what prompted me to register and also what brought me to this thread.

Her battery life is horrible after the update.
We have not changed anything else, no new apps, widgets etc..
I'm just trying to resolve this issue since she doesn't want to have to charge her phone in the middle of the day.
Before the update she could go all day with moderate use and still have 70% of the battery life at night before she went to bed.
She (unfortunately) leaves her phone on when charging overnight since she uses the alarm on the phone to wake to.

I have read this entire thread and tried the suggestion of charging to 100% with phone on, turning off phone and charging again to 100%, then turning on phone and charging again to 100%.
She took the phone off the charger this morning and will be monitoring the battery closely today, we have our fingers crossed.

Anyway, like somebody posted earlier I doubt many Fascinate owners would actually post to a forum as I see the fascinate as appealing more to the ladies and youngsters.
Another reason I posted to this thread, to spread the word on our experience with this latest OTA update and see what solutions have come to light.

I will post back after today's trial of the "battery fix" and report our results.
I'll be keeping an eye on this thread so keep the ideas for a fix coming please, we need this resolved.

A last effort of course would be to take it in to Verizon and see what they can tell us.

I appreciate all the suggestions so far.
Thanks for reading my lengthy post and wish us luck on rectifying this situation with her phone.

EDIT (12:07pm): Lunch time here, I just talked to the Wife and she says the battery is still draining rapidly, sucks.
She said it was already down to 70% and she hardly touched it this morning (she's at work).
I may try the factory reset, seems this fixes the issue for some folks.
That or I'll take it to Verizon this weekend, this has to be resolved soon.
I'm the one that applied the update so the Wife isn't too happy with the phone or me right now, lol. :frown:

try the reset...you won't be sorry. But back up first. Good luck!

Sent from my SCH-I500 using DroidForums

 

[Jenaht]

I believe I was addressing specifically what the gentlemen had said about batteries going simply because folks are suddenly using phones more after update. Not overall care for batteries.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using DroidForums

I was addressing your presumption that your 'bad' battery life has anything whatsoever to do with the OTA, and it may be how you and others are using your phones with the new functionality that's the culprit.

Are you shutting off 3G when making calls, or generally when you're not using it? They're split functions with 2.2 now, which means they're 2 different RAM assignments. 2.2 offers more options, but the trade off is you have to be more attentive to what functions you're using and which you aren't. With 3G off, your Fascinate is just about like a normal cell phone.

2.2 uses a bit more RAM than 2.1 did.

Do you shut your phone off when charging or leave it on?

How many home screens are you using? More homescreens = more RAM. The battery usage will be greater with 2.2 because it's faster than 2.1. I use one:

View attachment 32146

Also, there's a RAM manager now to utilize - are you killing RAM when not using or leaving it run in the background? I kill it when done with a gaming/networking/internet/media session. When killed, it uses 134mb of RAM, how much is yours when you kill it?

My point is: we have the same device, with the same software, but vastly different battery life results. That means: it's not the software, or your phone.

It's either the battery is bad, or the way you're using your device.

I'm just trying to help you by figuring out what the disparities are.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using DroidForums

Yes I turn off data when on the phone. I use one screen. Even before update.

When you say "kill RAM" what exactly do you mean? I back out completely and use the stock task manager to close anything left open ands clear memory. I use cache cleaner regularly. I use juice defender plus and autokiller memory optimizer.

The only thing that is a negative is that I leave the phone on at night since I use multiple alarms during the week for work. However other times I charge, I do try to turn off. My battery has much improved after the reset steps I've taken. I don't get 30 hours like some people have stated, but not rooted. And the battery might be old. But being able to go about 15 hours without charging (depending upon usage) seems ok.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using DroidForums

 

[Scubamike]

Again?

AllForNaught, did you totally miss posts 45 and 48 in this thread when you said:

I was addressing your presumption that your 'bad' battery life has anything whatsoever to do with the OTA, and it may be how you and others are using your phones with the new functionality that's the culprit.

We haven't discovered some new and exciting way to the use the Fascinate that never existed prior to the 2.2 OTA. There isn't a marked increase in battery usage stats that we've been stangely ignoring until your post alerted us to it, and a difference in RAM management isn't going to cause "display" battery consumption to double.

 

[jer39]

I know this is a pretty basic question, but can somebody walk me through how to back up my fascinate before I do the factory reset?

 

[jer39]

Also, is there anything specific I need to do after the factory reset to get my contacts and applications back up and running

 

[Jenaht]

Also, is there anything specific I need to do after the factory reset to get my contacts and applications back up and running

Hi there. I was nervous too. Please note that my phone is not rooted.

BEFORE YOU DO THE REST, BACKUP YOUR APPS.
I used Astro File Manager which is a free program from the Market. It has backup to SD card function. There are a few apps that come recommended; that is how I decided upon Astro File Manager. You may find something you'd like to try instead.

THE RESET
I didn't do the hardware reset, I used the Factory Reset that is located within the Samsung Menu/Settings/Privacy/Data Factory Reset.
Here is a link for how to reset (both options): How to hard reset the Samsung Fascinate - Know Your Cell

After the reset is done, you will be asked to sign back into your Google Account and set up your sync accounts etc (like when you first got the phone). This should bring your contacts back onto the phone. Your SD Card will be untouched and you won't lose the Froyo update that was installed.

After that is done go to the Market and re-download your app of choice for the backup. Use that app to restore the apps you backed up. Please note that while they are on the phone, I noticed that when I logged into the Market they didn't show as being on my phone. I just clicked reinstall and then they were "synced" in that way. Also, when you go back into those apps, you will probably have to re-set them up/sign in.

So of course, this begs the question of whether or not you really want to take the time to backup if you have to reinstall them anyway! I found that in fact I didn't reinstall as many apps as I'd had before. It reminds of when I do a fresh install on my PC; it runs cleaner and smoother, and I don't clog it up with as much stuff from the get-go. I've learned what I like and don't like.

I hope this helps. I would highly recommend reading around a bit to make sure you're comfortable with the process. In truth, it's really VERY simple and easy to do. It just takes a little time reconfiguring your phone to your preferences afterwards. But aren't we always tweaking with the phones anyway?!

Good luck!:greendroid:

 

[poppa_duce]

I know this is a pretty basic question, but can somebody walk me through how to back up my fascinate before I do the factory reset?

To back up contacts- open contact from home screen; open menu, then export, choose export to sd card. After reset do the same thing but choose import from phone,then v card. There should be a file with the date you backed up.

 

[ToddG]

Okay I'm back with the scoop on our experience to this point, I'm pretty certain I solved the battery draining problem.

First I backed up everything, all apps, contacts, etc. etc..
I used Mybackup from the market, the non-pro version is free and has a 30 day usage period which is all I needed (thanks to the person suggesting that app).
The other limitation with the free version is you can only back up to the SD card.
Apparently the Pro version lets you back up to a server online somewhere or the SD card.
I was totally down with the SD only limitation of the free version because quite frankly I don't like the idea of my wife's personal data out on the net somewhere with who knows what kind of security etc..

After I backed up everything necessary I did the factory reset.
This was outlined a few posts up so I won't get into those details.

When the phone comes up "fresh" again after the reset you will need to have your Gmail account information handy, username and login.
This is the only way you can activate your phone again and gain access to the Android market.
So have this info on hand before you start or you'll be running around the house trying to remember what you did with it (the wife doesn't use her gmail account so she didn't know the info. She has two other email accounts already which is probably one too many for her needs. . lol).

After the reset, I then did the *228 update so that her phone was current in that regard (only because I wasn't sure that activating it actually took care of this).

I then downloaded Mybackup from the market again and restored her phone in it's entirety from the SD card.

After all this, I powered down her phone and let it charge to 100% over night.

This morning we turned it on around 8:30am and she has had it on all day with her normal usage and the battery is holding strong.
It's almost 7:00pm here and she has over 80% battery life left which may even be better than before the 2.2 update.

Hopefully our experience and our "fix" will help somebody out.
All I know is she is happy again and after almost 20 years of marriage I've discovered this is very important . . ha ha.

If anything should change concerning this or I think of anything else pertinent to share I will post back in this thread.
Also, if anyone wants any additional information let me know.
For now, I bid you adieu.

Todd

 

[AllForNaught]

Scubamaike, did you totally miss posts 45 and 48 in this thread when you said:

We haven't discovered some new and exciting way to the use the Fascinate that never existed prior to the 2.2 OTA. There isn't a marked increase in battery usage stats that we've been stangely ignoring until your post alerted us to it, and a difference in RAM management isn't going to cause "display" battery consumption to double.

...because I seem to read my post as mentioning new features and configuration possibilities (RAM, management, 3G/data on/off switch, 2.2 being using more RAM, etc) as being potential culprits as to why people who have tried factory resets have less battery usage after the update.

Or do you read only selective portions of people's posts?

The OTA wasn't different for different phones: it's the same code. And the phones are the same. The only thing different is HOW we updated, and how we use the new firmware.

Cool it and get on with your life.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using DroidForums

 

[tenacious bee]

I have to agree with this. It is defintely usage with the wifes phone. It pretty much never rests. Though plugged into the charger while driving she is either talking or streaming pandora. All seven screens are in use as well. I did the reset with no real change. I also found that the phone will not stay powered down with a few of the usb cables we have. My soloution is going to be a larger battery and some coaching on using the data toggle.

Sent from my DROIDX using DroidForums