110 Mobile Computing
Monitoring main battery power
Determining remaining battery power
Wait at least 16 seconds after turning on the computer before trying
to monitor the remaining battery power. The computer needs this
time to check the battery’s remaining capacity and perform its
calculations.
Highlight the power icon in the Notification Area. A pop-up
message displays the remaining battery power as a percentage.
With repeated discharges and recharges, the battery’s capacity
gradually decreases. A frequently used older battery does not power
the computer for as long as a new battery, even when both are fully
charged.
TECHNICAL NOTE: The computer drains the battery faster at low
temperatures. Check your remaining charge frequently if you are
working in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The computer calculates the remaining battery charge based on your
current rate of power use and other factors such as the age of the
battery.
What to do when the main battery runs low
When the main battery runs low you can:
❖Plug the computer into an external power source and recharge
the main battery
❖Place the computer into Hibernation mode and replace the
main battery with a charged spare
❖Connect the computer to an optional secondary battery (if
available for your computer)
❖Save your work and turn off the computer
If you do not manage to do any of these things before the main
battery completely runs out of power, the computer automatically
enters Hibernation mode and turns itself off. Hibernation mode
keeps track of where you were, so that when you turn on the power
again, you can continue where you left off.
If you have Hibernation mode enabled (the default), the computer
copies the details of your open programs and files to the hard disk
before shutting down. For more information on using Hibernation,
see “Hibernation mode” on page 74.
NOTE