Dell D420 Conserving Battery Power, Power Management Modes, Charge Gauge, Low-Battery Warning

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Charge Gauge

By either pressing once or pressing and holding the status button on the charge gauge on the battery, you can check:

•Battery charge (check by pressing and releasing the status button)

•Battery health (check by pressing and holding the status button)

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 battery health (charge capacity). That is, a battery can show a status of "charged" but maintain a reduced battery health (charge capacity).

Check the Battery Charge

To check the battery charge, press and release 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.

Check the Battery Health

NOTE: You can check battery health in one of two ways: by using the charge gauge on the battery as described below and by using the Battery Meter

in Dell QuickSet. For information about QuickSet, right-click the icon in the taskbar, and click Help.

To check the battery health using the charge gauge, 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.

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. If the battery runs completely out of power, hibernate mode begins automatically.

By default, a pop-up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. You can change the settings for the battery alarms in QuickSet or the Power Options Properties window. See Configuring Power Management Settings for information about accessing QuickSet or the Power Options Properties window.

Conserving Battery Power

Perform the following actions to conserve battery power:

•Connect the computer to an electrical outlet when possible because battery life is largely determined by the number of times the battery is used and recharged.

•Place the computer in standby mode or hibernate mode when you leave the computer unattended for long periods of time (see Power Management Modes).

•Use the Power Management Wizard to select options to optimize your computer's power usage. These options can also be set to change when you press the power button, close the display, or press <Fn><Esc>.

NOTE: See Power Management Modes for more information on conserving battery power.

Power Management Modes

Standby Mode

Standby mode conserves power by turning off the display and the hard drive after a predetermined period of inactivity (a time-out). When the computer exits standby mode, it returns to the same operating state it was in before entering standby mode.

NOTICE: If your computer loses AC and battery power while in standby mode, it may lose data.

To enter standby mode:

•Click Start→ Shut Down→ Stand by.

or

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Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms Dell Latitude D420 Users GuideDevice status lights About Your ComputerFront View Keyboard and network status lights Fingerprint reader optionalRight View Audio connectorsLeft View Video connector USB connectorsModem connector RJ-11 Network connector RJ-45Bottom View Back to Contents Appendix Cleaning Your ComputerFCC Class B Macrovision Product NoticeFCC Notice U.S. Only Dell QuickSet Battery Meter Using a BatteryBattery Performance Checking the Battery ChargeStandby Mode Conserving Battery PowerPower Management Modes Low-Battery WarningHibernate Mode Configuring Power Management SettingsCharging the Battery Replacing the BatteryStoring a Battery Card Blanks Using CardsInstalling a PC Card or 34-mm ExpressCard Card TypesInstalling a 34-mm Express Card Installing a Smart Card or Secure Digital SD CardInstalling a PC Card Removing a PC Card, 34-mm Express Card, or Blank Back to Contents Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate Using the DisplayAdjusting Brightness Switching the Video ImageSwapping Primary and Secondary Displays What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Finding InformationSelect Drivers & Downloads and click Go Service Tag and Microsoft Windows LicenseGuides Dell Support Website support.dell.comOperating System CD Glossary Docking device See APR Device driver See driverPage Page NIC See network adapter Page System tray See notification area Video resolution See resolutionBack to Contents Ftp.dell.com Online ServicesGetting Help Obtaining AssistanceSupport Service Problems With Your OrderAutoTech Service Automated Order-Status ServiceAntigua and Barbuda Diagnostics ChecklistBefore You Call Contacting DellWebsite support.euro.dell.com ArubaAustralia Sydney 0011Czech Republic Prague China XiamenColombia Costa RicaGreece France Paris MontpellierCorporate Germany LangenWebsite support.jp.dell.com GeneralItaly Milan JamaicaMontserrat MacaoWebsite support.ap.dell.com Malaysia Penang MexicoSt. Vincent Puerto RicoSt. Kitts and Nevis St. LuciaTrinidad/Tobago Website support.ap.dell.com Taiwan002 Website support.ap.dell.com ThailandVenezuela Virgin IslandsKey Combinations Using the Keyboard and Touch PadNumeric Keypad Speaker Functions Power ManagementTouch Pad Fingerprint Reader optionalMouse Properties window Changing the Track-Stick CapCustomizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick Page Wireless Local Area Network Wlan Setting Up a NetworkPhysically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem Network Setup WizardWhat You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Checking Your Wireless Network CardSetting Up a New Wlan Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager Connecting to a Wireless Local Area NetworkUnder Pick a Help topic, click Dell User and System Guides Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network WwanEnabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card Connecting to a Mobile Broadband NetworkInternet Connection Firewall Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network LocatorTurning Off Your Computer Adding and Replacing PartsBefore You Begin Recommended ToolsHard Drive Removing the Hard Drive Dismantling the Hard Drive Hinge Cover Replacing the Hard DriveMemory KeyboardPage Mini-Cards Wireless Local Area Network Wlan CardsMobile Broadband Wwan Cards Page Subscriber Identity Module SIM Card Coin-Cell Battery Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless TechnologyBack to Contents Dell QuickSet Security Cable Lock Using Smart CardsPasswords Securing Your ComputerTrusted Platform Module TPM Using a Primary/System PasswordUsing an Administrator Password Using a Hard Drive PasswordActivating the Security Management Software Enabling the TPM FeatureUsing the Security Management Software Security Management SoftwareIf Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Computer Tracking SoftwareCommonly Used Settings System Setup ProgramViewing the System Setup Screens System Setup ScreensLocate Fast IR under Onboard Devices Performing a One-Time BootChanging COM Ports Enabling the Infrared SensorPage Drivers Reinstalling SoftwareWhat Is a Driver? Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesClick Start→ Help and Support Using the Drivers and Utilities CDManually Reinstalling Drivers Software and Hardware IncompatibilitiesRestoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows XP System RestoreCreating a Restore Point Undoing the Last System RestoreBefore You Begin Using the Operating System CDEnabling System Restore Reinstalling Windows XPSpecifications Display CommunicationsVideo AudioAC Adapter BatteryEnvironmental PhysicalAbbreviations and Acronyms Transferring Information to a New Computer Start the Files and Settings Transfer WizardClick Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Back to Contents Travel Tips Traveling With Your ComputerIdentifying Your Computer Packing the ComputerBack to Contents When to Use the Dell Diagnostics TroubleshootingDell Technical Update Service Dell DiagnosticsOption Function Dell Diagnostics Main MenuClicking the Dell Support Icon Drive ProblemsAccessing the Dell Support Utility Dell Support UtilityIf you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound CD and DVD drive problemsHard drive problems Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW driveVerify that the modem is communicating with Windows Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsError Messages Page Click Start→ Control Panel→ Add or Remove Programs External Keyboard problems Ieee 1394 Device ProblemsKeyboard Problems Computer stops responding Lockups and Software ProblemsUnexpected characters Computer does not start upSolid blue screen appears Memory ProblemsNetwork Problems Other software problemsRestart the computer and log on to the network again PC Card or ExpressCard ProblemsWireless Local Area Network Wlan Mobile Broadband NetworkDocking Power Considerations Power ProblemsEnsuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Docking While the Computer Is Running Printer ProblemsScanner Problems AC Power Loss While the Computer Is DockedNo sound from integrated speakers Sound and Speaker ProblemsTouch Pad or Mouse Problems No sound from headphonesIf the display is difficult to read Video and Display ProblemsIf the display is blank Connect an external monitor Adjust the Windows display settingsIf only part of the display is readable Click Start→ Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes
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