56 Using a 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, Sleep state begins automatically.
A pop-up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately
90percent depleted. The computer ent ers Sleep state when the battery
charge is at a critically low level.
You can change the settings for the battery alarms in Dell QuickSet or the
Power Options window (see "Power Management Modes" on page56).
Conserving Battery Power
To conserve battery power on your portable computer, do any of the following:
• Connect the computer to an electrical outlet when possible; battery life is
largely determined by the number of times the battery is used and recharged.
• Configure the power management settings using either Dell QuickSet or
Microsoft Windows Power Options to optimize your computer’s power
usage (see "Power Management Modes" on page56).
• Use the Sleep power state when you leave the computer unattended for
long periods of time (see "Standby and Sleep Mode" on page 56).
Power Management Modes

Standby and Sleep Mode

Standby mode (sleep mode in Microsoft Windows Vista®) 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 or sleep mode, it
returns to the same operating state it was in before entering standby or sleep
mode.
NOTICE: If your computer loses AC and battery power while in standby or sleep
mode, it may lose data.
To enter standby mode in Windows XP, click Start→ Turn off computer→
Stand by.
To enter sleep mode in Windows Vista, click the Windows Vista Start button ,
and then click Sleep.