Dell D420 specifications Using a Battery, Battery Performance, Checking the Battery Charge

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Using a Battery

Dell™ Latitude™ D420 User's Guide

Battery Performance

Configuring Power Management Settings

Checking the Battery Charge

Charging the Battery

Conserving Battery Power

Replacing the Battery

Power Management Modes

Storing 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, access the Control Panel→ Power Options, and then click the Power Meter tab.

NOTE: Battery operating time (the time the battery 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

•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 3D games

•Running the computer in maximum performance mode (see Configuring 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 (see Checking the Battery Charge). You can also set power management options to alert you when the battery charge is low (see Configuring Power Management Settings).

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 another computer 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 "Battery Disposal" in the 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, the Microsoft Windows Power Meter window and icon, the battery charge gauge and health gauge, and the low-battery warning provide information about the battery charge.

Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter

If Dell QuickSet is installed, press <Fn><F3> to display the QuickSet Battery Meter. The Battery Meter displays status, battery health, charge level, and charge completion time for the battery in your computer.

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.

If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a icon appears.

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Contents Dell Latitude D420 Users Guide Abbreviations and AcronymsFront View About Your ComputerDevice status lights Fingerprint reader optional Keyboard and network status lightsLeft View Audio connectorsRight View Network connector RJ-45 USB connectorsModem connector RJ-11 Video connectorBottom View Back to Contents Cleaning Your Computer AppendixFCC Notice U.S. Only Macrovision Product NoticeFCC Class B Checking the Battery Charge Using a BatteryBattery Performance Dell QuickSet Battery MeterLow-Battery Warning Conserving Battery PowerPower Management Modes Standby ModeReplacing the Battery Configuring Power Management SettingsCharging the Battery Hibernate ModeStoring a Battery Card Types Using CardsInstalling a PC Card or 34-mm ExpressCard Card BlanksInstalling a PC Card Installing a Smart Card or Secure Digital SD CardInstalling a 34-mm Express Card Removing a PC Card, 34-mm Express Card, or Blank Back to Contents Switching the Video Image Using the DisplayAdjusting Brightness Setting Display Resolution and Refresh RateSwapping Primary and Secondary Displays Finding Information What Are You Looking For? Find It HereDell Support Website support.dell.com Service Tag and Microsoft Windows LicenseGuides Select Drivers & Downloads and click GoOperating System CD Glossary Device driver See driver Docking device See APRPage Page NIC See network adapter Page Video resolution See resolution System tray See notification areaBack to Contents Obtaining Assistance Online ServicesGetting Help Ftp.dell.comAutomated Order-Status Service Problems With Your OrderAutoTech Service Support ServiceContacting Dell Diagnostics ChecklistBefore You Call Antigua and Barbuda0011 ArubaAustralia Sydney Website support.euro.dell.comCosta Rica China XiamenColombia Czech Republic PragueGermany Langen France Paris MontpellierCorporate GreeceJamaica GeneralItaly Milan Website support.jp.dell.comMexico MacaoWebsite support.ap.dell.com Malaysia Penang MontserratSt. Lucia Puerto RicoSt. Kitts and Nevis St. VincentWebsite support.ap.dell.com Thailand Website support.ap.dell.com Taiwan002 Trinidad/TobagoVirgin Islands VenezuelaNumeric Keypad Using the Keyboard and Touch PadKey Combinations Fingerprint Reader optional Power ManagementTouch Pad Speaker FunctionsCustomizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick Changing the Track-Stick CapMouse Properties window Page Network Setup Wizard Setting Up a NetworkPhysically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem Wireless Local Area Network WlanSetting Up a New Wlan Checking Your Wireless Network CardWhat You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Determining the Wireless Network Device ManagerConnecting to a Mobile Broadband Network Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network WwanEnabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card Under Pick a Help topic, click Dell User and System GuidesDell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator Internet Connection FirewallRecommended Tools Adding and Replacing PartsBefore You Begin Turning Off Your ComputerHard Drive Removing the Hard Drive Dismantling the Hard Drive Replacing the Hard Drive Hinge CoverKeyboard MemoryPage Wireless Local Area Network Wlan Cards Mini-CardsMobile Broadband Wwan Cards Page Subscriber Identity Module SIM Card Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology Coin-Cell BatteryBack to Contents Dell QuickSet Securing Your Computer Using Smart CardsPasswords Security Cable LockUsing a Hard Drive Password Using a Primary/System PasswordUsing an Administrator Password Trusted Platform Module TPMSecurity Management Software Enabling the TPM FeatureUsing the Security Management Software Activating the Security Management SoftwareComputer Tracking Software If Your Computer Is Lost or StolenSystem Setup Screens System Setup ProgramViewing the System Setup Screens Commonly Used SettingsEnabling the Infrared Sensor Performing a One-Time BootChanging COM Ports Locate Fast IR under Onboard DevicesPage Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Reinstalling SoftwareWhat Is a Driver? DriversSoftware and Hardware Incompatibilities Using the Drivers and Utilities CDManually Reinstalling Drivers Click Start→ Help and SupportUndoing the Last System Restore Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreCreating a Restore Point Restoring Your Operating SystemReinstalling Windows XP Using the Operating System CDEnabling System Restore Before You BeginSpecifications Audio CommunicationsVideo DisplayBattery AC AdapterPhysical EnvironmentalAbbreviations and Acronyms Start the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Transferring Information to a New ComputerClick Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Back to Contents Packing the Computer Traveling With Your ComputerIdentifying Your Computer Travel TipsBack to Contents Dell Diagnostics TroubleshootingDell Technical Update Service When to Use the Dell DiagnosticsDell Diagnostics Main Menu Option FunctionDell Support Utility Drive ProblemsAccessing the Dell Support Utility Clicking the Dell Support IconProblems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive CD and DVD drive problemsHard drive problems If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding soundError Messages Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsVerify that the modem is communicating with Windows Page Click Start→ Control Panel→ Add or Remove Programs Keyboard Problems Ieee 1394 Device ProblemsExternal Keyboard problems Computer does not start up Lockups and Software ProblemsUnexpected characters Computer stops respondingOther software problems Memory ProblemsNetwork Problems Solid blue screen appearsMobile Broadband Network PC Card or ExpressCard ProblemsWireless Local Area Network Wlan Restart the computer and log on to the network againEnsuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Power ProblemsDocking Power Considerations AC Power Loss While the Computer Is Docked Printer ProblemsScanner Problems Docking While the Computer Is RunningNo sound from headphones Sound and Speaker ProblemsTouch Pad or Mouse Problems No sound from integrated speakersIf the display is blank Video and Display ProblemsIf the display is difficult to read Click Start→ Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes Adjust the Windows display settingsIf only part of the display is readable Connect an external monitor
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