Dell Precision M20: Using a Battery
Using a Battery : Dell Precision M20
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Using a Battery
DellPrecision™MobileWorkstationM20User'sGuide
Battery Performance
Checking the Battery Charge
Charging the Battery
Removing a Battery
Installing a Battery
Storing a Battery
Battery Performance
ForoptimalcomputerperformanceandtohelppreserveBIOSsettings,operateyourDell™portablecomputerwiththemainbatteryinstalledatalltimes.Use
a battery to run the computer when it is not connected to an electrical outlet. 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 module 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, 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
You can check the battery charge before you insert the battery into the computer. You can also set power management options to alert you when the battery
charge is low.
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 window displays status, charge level, and charge completion time for the battery in your computer.
In addition, when your computer is connected to a docking device (docked), the Battery Meter window includes a Dock Battery tab, which displays the charge
level and current status of the docking device battery.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
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: 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
temperaturesabove65°C(149°F).Keepthebatteryawayfromchildren.Handledamagedorleakingbatterieswithextremecare.Damaged
batteries may leak and cause personal injury or equipment damage.
NOTE: You can use your docking device to charge a computer battery. However, a battery in a docking device does not power the docking device or
computer.
The following icons appear in the Battery Meter window:
For more information about QuickSet, right-click the icon in the taskbar, and click Help.
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. For more information
about the Power Meter tab, see "Power Management."
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a icon appears.
Charge Gauge
Before you insert a battery, press 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.
Health Gauge
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. To check the battery health, press and hold the status button on the battery charge gauge for at least 3 seconds. If no
lights appear, 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, less than 60 percent of the charge capacity remains, and you should consider replacing the battery. See "Specifications" for
more information about the battery operating time.
Low-Battery Warning
A pop-up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. For more information about low-battery alarms, see "Power
Management."
A low-batterywarningoccurswhenthebatterychargeisapproximately90percentdepleted.Thecomputerbeepsonce,indicatingthatminimalbattery
operating time remains. During that time, the speaker beeps periodically. If two batteries are installed, the low-battery warning means that the combined
charge of both batteries is approximately 90 percent depleted. The computer enters hibernate mode when the battery charge is at a critically low level. For
more information about low-battery alarms, see "Power Management."
Charging the Battery
The computer or docking device is running on battery power.
The computer is connected to AC power and the battery is charging.
The computer is connected to AC power and the battery is fully charged.
NOTICE: To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work immediately after a low-battery warning. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet,
or install a second battery in the module bay. If the battery runs completely out of power, hibernate mode begins automatically.
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.
For more information about resolving problems with a battery, see "Power Problems."
Removing a Battery
1. Ensure that the computer is turned off, suspended in a power management mode, or connected to an electrical outlet.
2. If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions.
3. Slide and hold the battery-bay (or module-bay) latch release on the bottom of the computer, and then remove the battery from the bay.
Installing a Battery
Slide the battery into the bay until the 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.
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NOTE: The AC adapter charges a completely discharged battery in approximately 1 hour with the computer turned off. Charge time is longer with the
computer turned on. You can leave the battery in the computer as long as you like. The battery's internal circuitry prevents the battery from
overcharging.
CAUTION: Before performing these procedures, disconnect the modem from the telephone wall jack.
NOTICE: If you choose to replace the battery with the computer in standby mode, you have up to 1 minute to complete the battery replacement before
the computer shuts down and loses any unsaved data.
Оглавление
- DellPrecision™MobileWorkstationM20User'sGuide
- About Your Computer
- Appendix
- Alert Standard Format (ASF)
- Using a Battery
- Using the Module Bay
- Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
- Cleaning Your Computer
- Dell Diagnostics
- Using the Display
- Reinstalling Software
- Finding Information
- Getting Help
- Glossary
- Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
- Passwords
- Using PC Cards
- Power Management
- Dell™QuickSetFeatures
- Adding and Replacing Parts
- Using the System Setup Program
- Using Smart Cards
- Solving Problems
- Specifications
- Travelling With Your Computer
- Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network
- Using Microsoft®Windows®XP
