Apple powerbook g4 Swapping Batteries While the Computer Is in Sleep, Charging a Battery, Chapter

Swapping Batteries While the Computer Is in Sleep

If your battery runs low while you are working, you can put your PowerBook to sleep and replace the battery with a charged one. The internal backup battery provides enough power to maintain the contents of RAM for three minutes while you change the battery.

Charging a Battery

When the power adapter is connected, the battery is recharged whether the computer is off, on, or in sleep. A light appears on the power adapter plug. An amber light indicates that the battery is being charged. A green light indicates that the battery is fully charged.

The battery will recharge more quickly if the computer is off or in sleep. You can monitor the battery charge level.

mIn Mac OS 9, use the battery charge level indicator in the Control Strip.

Battery charge level indicator

mIn Mac OS X, use the battery icon in the menu bar.

To maximize the life of your PowerBook battery, use the power adapter whenever possible.

Calibrating a New Battery for Best Performance

To get the longest running time from a new PowerBook battery, let the battery run down during the first week of use and then fully charge it one time. Follow these steps:

1Plug in the power adapter and fully charge your PowerBook battery until the battery indicator lights and the onscreen meter indicate that the battery is fully charged.

2Disconnect the power adapter and use your PowerBook until you see the first low battery warning dialog box on your screen.

3Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged again.

Important You only have to fully discharge and then charge your battery once to calibrate it. After that, you can connect and disconnect the power adapter when the battery is at any charge level.

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