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Mobile Computing

Monitoring main battery power

Conserving battery power

How long a fully charged battery pack lasts when you are using the computer depends on a number of factors, such as:

❖How the computer is configured

❖How much you use the hard disk, optical drive, diskette drives, or other optional devices

❖Where you are working, since operating time decreases at low temperatures

There are various ways in which you can conserve power and extend the operating time of your battery:

❖Enable Standby or Hibernation, which saves power when you turn off the computer and turn it back on again

❖Use the power schemes in the Power Options Properties

These power-saving options control the way in which the computer is configured. By using them, you can greatly increase the length of time you can use the computer before you need to recharge the battery.

These options are combined into preset power schemes that let you choose between maximum power savings and peak system performance. You may also set individual power- saving options to suit your own needs.

The following sections describe how to choose a power scheme and discuss each power-saving option.

Power Schemes

You can choose a power scheme, and either use its predefined settings or customize the settings as you require. To do this:

1Click Start, and then Control Panel.

2Double-click the Power Options icon.

The Power Options Properties window appears.