Dell Inspiron 510m Owner's Manual - Page 35

Microsoft® Windows® Power Meter The Windows Power Meter indicates the remaining battery charge. To check the Power Meter, double-click the icon on the taskbar. For more information about the Power Meter tab, see "Power Management" in the Dell Inspiron Help file. To access the help file, see page 9. If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a icon appears. 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. 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 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 and to access "Power Management," see the Dell Inspiron Help file. To access the help file, see page 9. Charging the Battery NOTE: The AC adapter charges a completely discharged battery in approximately 1 hour with the computer turned off. Charge time is longer with the computer turned on. You can leave the battery in the computer as long as you 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 is connected to an electrical outlet, the computer checks the battery charge and temperature. If necessary, 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, the battery 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 to cool to room temperature. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet to continue charging the battery. For more information about resolving problems with a battery, and to access "Power Management", see the Dell Inspiron Help file. To access the help file, see page 9. Using a Battery 35