Dell Latitude D520: Using a Battery
Using a Battery : Dell Latitude D520
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Using a Battery
Dell™Latitude™D520User'sGuide
Battery Performance
Checking the Battery Charge
Conserving Battery Power
Power Management Modes
Configuring Power Management Settings
Charging the Battery
Replacing the Battery
Storing a Battery
Battery Performance
ForoptimalcomputerperformanceandtohelppreserveBIOSsettings,operateyourDell™portablecomputerwiththemainbatteryinstalledatalltimes.One
battery is supplied as standard equipment in the battery bay.
Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions. You can install an optional second battery in the media bay to significantly increase
operating time.
Operating time is significantly reduced when you perform operations including, but not limited to, the following:
l Using optical drives
l Using wireless communications devices, PC Cards, ExpressCards, media memory cards, or USB devices
l Using high-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power-intensive programs such as 3D games
l Running the computer in maximum performance mode (see Configuring Power Management Settings)
You can check the battery charge before you insert the battery into the computer (see Checking the Battery Charge). You can also set power management
options to alert you when the battery charge is low (see Configuring Power Management Settings).
Checking the Battery Charge
The Dell QuickSet Battery Meter, the Microsoft Windows Power Meter window and icon, the
battery charge gauge and health gauge, and the low-battery warning provide information on the battery charge.
Dell™QuickSetBatteryMeter
If Dell QuickSet is installed, press <Fn><F3> to display the QuickSet Battery Meter. The Battery Meter displays status, battery health, charge level, and charge
completion time for the battery in your computer.
For more information about QuickSet, right-click the icon in the taskbar, and click Help.
NOTE: For information about the Dell warranty for your computer, see the Product Information Guide or separate paper warranty document that shipped
with your computer.
NOTE: Because the battery may not be fully charged, use the AC adapter to connect your new computer to an electrical outlet the first time you use the
computer. For best results, operate the computer with the AC adapter until the battery is fully charged. To view battery charge status, access the
Control Panel® Power Options, and then click the Power Meter tab.
NOTE: Battery operating time (the time the battery can hold a charge) decreases over time. Depending on how often the battery is used and the
conditions under which it is used, you may need to purchase a new battery during the life of your computer.
NOTE: It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet when writing to a CD or DVD.
CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the battery only with a compatible battery purchased
from Dell. The lithium ion battery is designed to work with your Dell computer. Do not use a battery from other computers with your computer.
CAUTION: Do not dispose of batteries with household waste. When your battery no longer holds a charge, call your local waste disposal or
environmental agency for advice on disposing of a lithium-ion battery. See "Battery Disposal" in the Product Information Guide.
CAUTION: Misuse of the battery may increase the risk of fire or chemical burn. Do not puncture, incinerate, disassemble, or expose the battery to
temperaturesabove60°C(140°F).Keepthebatteryawayfromchildren.Handledamagedorleakingbatterieswithextremecare.Damaged
batteries may leak and cause personal injury or equipment damage.
Microsoft®Windows®Power Meter
The Windows Power Meter indicates the remaining battery charge. To check the Power Meter, double-click the icon on the taskbar.
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a icon appears.
Charge Gauge
By either pressing once or pressing and holding the status button on the charge gauge on the battery, you can check:
l Battery charge (check by pressing and releasing the status button)
l Battery health (check by pressing and holding the status button)
The battery operating time is largely determined by the number of times it is charged. After hundreds of charge and discharge cycles, batteries lose some
charge capacity—or battery health. That is, a battery can show a status of "charged" but maintain a reduced charge capacity (health).
Check the Battery Charge
To check the battery charge, press and release the status button on the battery charge gauge to illuminate the charge-level lights. Each light represents
approximately 20 percent of the total battery charge. For example, if the battery has 80 percent of its charge remaining, four of the lights are on. If no lights
appear, the battery has no charge.
Check the Battery Health
To check the battery health using the charge gauge, press and holdthestatusbuttononthebatterychargegaugeforatleast3seconds.Ifnolightsappear,
the battery is in good condition, and more than 80 percent of its original charge capacity remains. Each light represents incremental degradation. If five lights
appear,lessthan60percentofthechargecapacityremains,andyoushouldconsiderreplacingthebattery.SeeSpecifications for more information about the
battery operating time.
Low-Battery Warning
By default, a pop-up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. You can change the settings for the battery alarms in
QuickSet or the Power Options Properties window. See Configuring Power Management Settings for information about accessing QuickSet or the Power
Options Properties window.
Conserving Battery Power
Perform the following actions to conserve battery power:
l Connect the computer to an electrical outlet when possible because battery life is largely determined by the number of times the battery is used and
recharged.
l Place the computer in standby mode or hibernate mode when you leave the computer unattended for long periods of time (see Power Management
Modes).
l Use the Power Management Wizard to select options to optimize your computer's power usage. These options can also be set to change when you
press the power button, close the display, or press <Fn><Esc>.
Power Management Modes
Standby Mode
Standby mode conserves power by turning off the display and the hard drive after a predetermined period of inactivity (a time-out). When the computer exits
standby mode, it returns to the same operating state it was in before entering standby mode.
NOTE: You can check battery health in one of two ways: by using the charge gauge on the battery as described below and by using the Battery Meter
in Dell QuickSet. For information about QuickSet, right-click the icon in the taskbar, and click Help.
NOTICE: To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work immediately after a low-battery warning. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
If the battery runs completely out of power, hibernate mode begins automatically.
NOTE: See Power Management Modes for more information on conserving battery power.
To enter standby mode:
l Click Start® Shut Down® Stand by.
or
l Depending on how you set the power management options in the Power Options Properties window or the QuickSet Power Management Wizard, use
one of the following methods:
¡ Press the power button.
¡ Close the display.
¡ Press <Fn><Esc>.
To exit standby mode, press the power button or open the display depending on how you set the power management options. You cannot make the computer
exit standby mode by pressing a key or touching the touch pad.
Hibernate Mode
Hibernate mode conserves power by copying system data to a reserved area on the hard drive and then completely turning off the computer. When the
computer exits hibernate mode, it returns to the same operating state it was in before entering hibernate mode.
Your computer enters hibernate mode if the battery charge level becomes critically low.
To manually enter hibernate mode:
l Click Start® Turn off computer, press and hold <Shift>, and then click Hibernate.
or
l Depending on how you set the power management options in the Power Options Properties window or the QuickSet Power Management Wizard, use
one of the following methods to enter hibernate mode:
¡ Press the power button.
¡ Close the display.
¡ Press <Fn><Esc>.
To exit hibernate mode, press the power button. The computer may take a short time to exit hibernate mode. You cannot make the computer exit hibernate
mode by pressing a key or touching the touch pad. For more information on hibernate mode, see the documentation that came with your operating system.
Configuring Power Management Settings
You can use the QuickSet Power Management Wizard or Windows Power Options Properties to configure the power management settings on your computer.
l To access the QuickSet Power Management Wizard, double-click the icon in the taskbar. For more information about QuickSet, click the Help button
in the Power Management Wizard.
l To access the Power Options Properties window, click the Start button® Control Panel® Performance and Maintenance® Power Options. For
information on any field in the Power Options Properties window, click the question mark icon on the title bar and then click on the area where you need
information.
Charging the Battery
When you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery while the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the computer checks the
battery charge and temperature. If necessary, the AC adapter then charges the battery and maintains the battery charge.
If the battery is hot from being used in your computer or being in a hot environment, the battery may not charge when you connect the computer to an
electrical outlet.
The battery is too hot to start charging if the light flashes alternately green and orange. Disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet and allow the
computer and the battery to cool to room temperature. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet to continue charging the battery.
NOTICE: If your computer loses AC and battery power while in standby mode, it may lose data.
NOTICE: You cannot remove devices or undock your computer while your computer is in hibernate mode.
NOTE: Some PC Cards or ExpressCards may not operate correctly after the computer exits hibernate mode. Remove and reinsert the card (see
Installing a PC Card or ExpressCard), or simply restart (reboot) your computer.
NOTE: WithDell™ExpressCharge™,whenthecomputeristurnedoff,theACadapterchargesacompletelydischargedbatteryto80percentinabout1
hour and to 100 percent in approximately 2 hours. Charge time is longer with the computer turned on. You can leave the battery in the computer for as
long as you like. The battery's internal circuitry prevents the battery from overcharging.
For more information about resolving problems with a battery, see Power Problems.
Replacing the Battery
To remove the battery:
1. If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions.
2. Ensure that the computer is turned off.
3. Slide the battery-bay latch release on the bottom of the computer until the release clicks.
4. Using the tab on the battery, lift the battery out of the computer.
To replace the battery, place the battery in the bay and press down until the battery-bay latch release clicks.
Storing a Battery
Remove the battery when you store your computer for an extended period of time. A battery discharges during prolonged storage. After a long storage period,
recharge the battery fully before you use it (see Charging the Battery).
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CAUTION: Before performing these procedures, turn off the computer, disconnect the AC adapter from the electrical outlet and the computer,
disconnect the modem from the wall connector and computer, and remove any other external cables from the computer.
CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the battery only with a compatible battery purchased
fromDell.ThebatteryisdesignedtoworkwithyourDell™computer.Donotuseabatteryfromothercomputerswithyourcomputer.
NOTICE: You must remove all external cables from the computer to avoid possible connector damage. For information about replacing the second
battery, which is located in the media bay, see Using Multimedia.
1
battery-bay latch release
2
battery
Оглавление
- Dell™Latitude™D520User'sGuide
- About Your Computer
- Appendix
- Using a Battery
- Using Cards
- Using the Display
- Finding Information
- Glossary
- Getting Help
- Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
- Using Multimedia
- Setting Up a Network
- Adding and Replacing Parts
- Dell™QuickSet
- Securing Your Computer
- System Setup Program
- Reinstalling Software
- Specifications
- Traveling With Your Computer
- Troubleshooting
