NOTE: Batteries for portable computers are covered under warranty only during the initial 1-year period of the limited warranty for the computer. For more information about the Dell warranty for the computer, see the Product Information Guide or separate paper warranty document that shipped with your computer.
For optimal computer performance and to help preserve BIOS settings, operate your Dell™ portable computer with the main battery installed at all times. Use a battery to run the computer when the computer is not connected to an electrical outlet. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in the battery bay.
NOTE: Battery capacity (the time it can hold a charge) decreases over time. Depending on how often the battery is used and the conditions under which it is used, you may need to purchase a new battery during the life of your computer.
Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions. Operating time is significantly reduced when you perform operations including, but not limited to, the following:
Using optical drives, especially DVD and CD-RW drives
Using wireless communications devices, PC Cards, or USB devices
Using high-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power-intensive programs, such as 3D games
NOTE: For more information on maximizing battery operating time, see "Power Management."
NOTE: It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet when writing to a CD.
CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the
battery only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell. The lithium-ion battery is designed to work
with your Dell™ computer. Do not use a battery from other computers with your computer.
CAUTION: Do not dispose of batteries with household waste. When your battery no longer holds a
charge, call your local waste disposal or environmental agency for advice on disposing of a lithium-ion
battery. See the battery disposal instructions in your Product Information Guide.
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 65°C (149°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 Dell QuickSet battery meter, Microsoft® Windows® power meter window and icon, the battery charge gauge and health gauge, and the low-battery warning provide information on the battery charge.
For more information about checking the charge on the second battery, see "Using the Module Bay."
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter
Press <Fn><F3> to display the QuickSet Battery Meter.
The Battery Meter screen displays status, charge level, and charge completion time for the primary and secondary batteries in your computer.
NOTE: You can use your docking device to charge a computer battery. However, a battery in a docking device does not power the docking device or computer.
In addition, when your computer is connected to a docking device (docked), the Battery Meter screen includes a Dock Battery tab, which displays the charge level and current status of the docking device battery.
The following icons appear in the Battery Meter screen:
The computer or docking device is running on battery power.
The battery is discharging or idle.
The computer or docking device is connected to an electrical outlet and running on AC power.
The battery is charging.
The computer or docking device is connected to an electrical outlet and running on AC power.
The battery is discharging, idle, or charging.
For more information about QuickSet, right-click the icon in the taskbar, and click Help.
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 on the Power Meter tab, see "Power Management."
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a icon appears.
Charge Gauge
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.
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 "Specifications" 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 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 on low-battery alarms, see "Power Management."
Charging the Battery
NOTE: The AC adapter charges a 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 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 until the battery is allowed to cool.
For more information on resolving problems with a battery, see "Power Problems."
Removing a Battery
For more information about removing the second battery, see "Using the Module Bay."
CAUTION: Before performing these procedures, turn off the computer, disconnect it from the electrical
outlet, and disconnect the modem from the telephone wall jack.
CAUTION: Before performing any of the following procedures computer, read and follow the safety
instructions in your Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: If you choose to replace the battery with the computer in standby mode, you have up to 90
seconds to complete the battery replacement before the computer shuts down and loses any unsaved
data.
Ensure that the computer is turned off, disconnected from an electrical outlet, and
disconnected from the telephone wall jack.
If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation
that came with your docking device for instructions.
Slide and hold the battery-bay latch release on the bottom of the computer, and then remove
the battery from the bay.
Removing and Installing a Reserve Battery
CAUTION: Before performing any of the following procedures computer, read and follow the safety
instructions in your Product Information Guide.
Pull the reserve battery out of its compartment, and disconnect the reserve battery cable from
the connector.
1
reserve battery cable
2
connector
3
reserve battery
To replace the battery, connect the reserve battery cable to the connector in the reserve battery compartment.
Place the reserve battery in the compartment, and replace the reserve battery cover.
Installing a Battery
Slide the battery into the bay until the latch release clicks.
For more information about installing the second battery, see "Using the Module Bay."
Storing a Battery
Remove the battery when you store your computer for an extended period of time. A battery discharges during prolonged storage. After a long storage period, recharge the battery fully before you use it.
