Dell XPS 140M Owner's Manual

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Contents

Dell XPS 140M Owner's Manual Manual pdf 47 page image

Using a Battery 47Charge GaugeBefore you insert a battery, press the status button on the battery charge gauge to illuminate thecharge-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 nolights appear, the battery has no charge.Health GaugeThe battery operating time is largely determined by the number of times it is charged. Afterhundreds 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 atleast 3 seconds. If no lights appear, the battery is in good condition, and more than 80 percent ofits original charge capacity remains. Each light represents incremental degradation. If five lightsappear, less than 60 percent of the charge capacity remains, and you should consider replacingthe battery. See "Specifications" on page 131 for more information about the battery operatingtime.Low-Battery WarningNOTICE: To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work immediately after a low-battery warning.Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet. If the battery runs completely out of power, hibernatemode begins automatically.A pop-up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. Formore information about low-battery alarms, see "Power Management" on page 39.Charging the BatteryNOTE: Without Dell™ ExpressCharge™, the AC adapter charges a completely discharged 6-cell batteryin approximately 2 hours and a 9-cell battery in approximately 3 hours with the computer turned off.Charge time is longer with the computer turned on. You can leave the battery in the computer as long asyou like. The battery’s internal circuitry prevents the battery from overcharging.When you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery while the computer isconnected to an electrical outlet, the computer checks the battery charge and temperature. Ifnecessary, the AC adapter then charges the battery and maintains the battery charge.If the battery is hot from being used in your computer or being in a hot environment, thebattery may not charge when you connect the computer to an electrical outlet.The battery is too hot to start charging if the light flashes alternately green and orange.Disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet and allow the computer and the battery tocool to room temperature. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet to continuecharging the battery.For more information about resolving problems with a battery, see "Power Problems" on page 91.book.book Page 47 Wednesday, October 26, 2005 1:00 PM