Dell Latitude D531 (Mid 2007): Checking the Battery Charge Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter Microsoft Windows Power Meter Charge Gauge Check the Battery Charge Check the Battery Health

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™ QuickSet Battery Meter

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 QuickSet icon in the task bar, 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 task bar.

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:

• Battery charge (check by pressing and

releasing

the status button)

• 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

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 QuickSet

icon in the task bar, and click Help.

To check the battery health using the charge gauge, 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" in your User’s Guide for more information about the battery operating time.

Quick Reference Guide 13