Dell 500m manual Using a Battery, Battery Performance, Using Batteries and Module Bay Devices

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Using a Battery

CAUTION: Before performing these procedures, read the safety instructions on on page 11.

Battery Performance

NOTE: Batteries for portable computers are covered only during the initial one-year period of the limited warranty for your computer. For more information about the Dell warranty for your computer, see "Limited Warranties and Return Policy" on page 105.

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 it is not connected to an electrical outlet. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in the battery bay.

Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions. With average usage, you may expect from 3 to 4 hours from a single, fully charged battery. You can install an optional second battery in the module bay to significantly increase operating time. For more information about the second battery, see "About the Module Bay" on page 51.

NOTE: It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet when writing to a CD.

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

•Running the computer in maximum performance mode

You can check the battery charge on the bottom of the computer. You can also set power management options to alert you when the battery charge is low.

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.

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Using Batteries and Module Bay Devices