Dell Latitude D630 ATG: Microsoft Windows Power Meter Charge Gauge Check the Battery Charge Check the Battery Health Low-Battery Warning

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®

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:

• 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 icon in the

taskbar, 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 "Charge Gauge" in your User’s Guide for more information about the battery operating time.

Low-Battery Warning

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 media bay. If the battery runs

completely out of power, hibernate mode begins automatically.

A pop-up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. 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.

Quick Reference Guide 15