Dell Latitude C840 User Guide - Page 23

Using a Battery Battery Performance Checking the Battery Charge Charging the Battery Removing a Battery Installing a Battery Storing a Battery Battery Performance Use a battery to power the computer when it is not connected to an electrical outlet. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in the battery bay. NOTE: Dell recommends using only 4400-mAh (or greater) batteries in this computer. Battery performance varies depending on operating conditions. Your computer typically runs for up to 3 hours with a single, fully charged, 8-cell battery. Operating time can be reduced when you run power-intensive programs and when you use CD, DVD, or similar drives; PC Cards or Mini PCI cards; and high display-brightness settings. You can install an optional second battery in the module bay. With two fully charged batteries, you can double operating time. NOTE: Dell recommends that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet when writing to a CD. You can check the battery charge before you insert the battery into the computer. You can also set power management options to alert you when the battery charge is low. CAUTION: Use only Dell™ battery modules that are approved for use with this computer. Use of other types may increase the risk of fire or explosion. CAUTION: Do not dispose of your computer's battery in a fire or with normal household waste. Battery cells may explode. Discard a used battery according to the manufacturer's instructions or contact your local waste disposal agency for disposal instructions. Dispose of a spent or damaged battery promptly. See "Battery Disposal." CAUTION: Misuse of the battery may increase the risk of fire or chemical burn. Do not puncture, incinerate, disassemble, or expose the battery to temperatures above 60°C (140°F). Keep the battery away from children. Handle damaged or leaking batteries with extreme care. Damaged batteries may leak and cause personal injury or equipment damage. Checking the Battery Charge The Microsoft® Windows® power meter window and on the battery charge. icon, the battery charge gauge and health gauge, and the low-battery warning provide information Power Meter The Windows power meter indicates the remaining battery charge. To check the power meter, double-click the on the Power Meter tab, see "Power Management." icon on the taskbar. For more information Charge Gauge Before you insert a battery, press 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. If the battery detects a fatal internal failure, the lights on each end of the charge gauge start blinking.