Using a Battery
Battery Performance
NOTE:
For information about the Dell warranty for your 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. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in the battery bay.
NOTE:
Because the battery may not be fully charged, use the AC adapter to
connect your new computer to an electrical outlet the first time you use the
computer. For best results, operate the computer with the AC adapter until the
battery is fully charged. To view battery charge status, check the Power Meter in
Power Options (see "Accessing Power Options Properties" in your User's Guide).
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.
•
Using wireless communications devices, PC Cards, ExpressCards, media
memory cards, or USB devices.
•
Using high-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power-
intensive programs such as complex 3D graphics applications.
•
Running the computer in maximum performance mode. See "Configuring
Power Management Settings" in your User's Guide for information about
accessing Windows Power Options Properties or Dell QuickSet, which you
can use to configure power management settings.
NOTE:
It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet
when writing to a CD or DVD.
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:
The battery is designed to work with your Dell computer. Using an
incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the
battery only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell. Do not use a battery
from other computers with your computer.
Quick Reference Guide
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