Dell Latitude XT: Checking the Battery Charge Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter Charge Gauge Check the Battery Charge

Checking the Battery Charge

The following features provide information on the battery charge:

• Dell QuickSet Battery Meter

• Microsoft Windows

Power Meter

window and

Power icon

(

in

Windows Vista and

in Windows XP)

• Battery charge gauge and health gauge

• Low-battery warning

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

taskbar, and click Help.

Charge Gauge

By using 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.

Quick Reference Guide 19