Using a Battery 57For more information about QuickSet, right-click the QuickSet icon, andthen click Help.Microsoft® Windows® Battery MeterThe battery meter indicates the remaining battery charge. To check thebattery meter, double-click the icon in the notification area.Charge GaugeBy either pressing once or pressing and holding the status button on thebattery charge gauge, 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 ischarged. After hundreds of charge and discharge cycles, batteries lose somecharge capacity—or battery health. Therefore, a battery can show a status ofcharged, but maintain a reduced charge capacity (health).Check the Battery ChargeTo check the battery charge, press and release the status button on the batterycharge gauge to illuminate the charge indicator lights. Each light representsapproximately 20 percent of the total battery charge. For example, if thebattery has 80 percent of its charge remaining, four of the lights are on. If nolights are on, the battery has no charge.Check the Battery HealthNOTE: You can check battery health in one of two ways: by using the charge gaugeon 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 notificationarea, and then click Help.To check the battery health using the charge gauge, press and hold the statusbutton on the battery charge gauge for at least 3 seconds to illuminate thehealth indicator lights. Each light represents incremental degradation. If nolights appear, the battery is in good condition, and more than 80 percent of itsoriginal charge capacity remains. If five lights appear, less than 60 percent of
