Dell Precision M20: Health Gauge Low-Battery Warning

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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 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 module 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. For

more information about low-battery alarms, see your

User’s Guide

.

A low-battery warning occurs when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. The

computer beeps once, indicating that minimal battery 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 your

User’s Guide

.

12 Dell Precision Mobile Workstation M20 Quick Reference Guide