Toshiba Satellite user manual Monitoring battery capacity, Maximizing battery operating time

Power and Power-up Modes

Leaving the AC adaptor connected will shorten battery life. At least once a month, run the computer on battery power until the battery is fully discharged, then recharged the battery.

Monitoring battery capacity

Remaining battery power can be monitored in Power Options.

Wait at least 16 seconds after turning on the computer before trying to monitor the remaining operating time. The computer needs this time to check the battery’s remaining capacity and to calculate the remaining operating time, based on the current power consumption rate and remaining battery capacity. The actual remaining operating time may differ slightly from the calculated time.

Maximizing battery operating time

A battery’s usefulness depends on how long it can supply power on a single charge.

How long the charge lasts in a battery depends on:

■How you configure the computer (for example, whether you enable battery-power saving options). The computer provides a battery save mode, which can be set in Power Options, to conserve battery power. This mode has the following options:

■CPU Precessing speed

■Screen brightness

■Cooling Method

■System sleep

■System hibernation

■Monitor Power off

■HDD Power off

■How often and how long you use the hard disk, optical disc drive and the diskette drive.

■How much charge the battery contained to begin with.

■How you use optional devices, such as a PC card/ExpressCard, to which the battery supplies power.

■Enabling hibernation and sleep mode conserves battery power if you are frequently turning the computer off and on.

■Where you store your programs and data.

■Closing the display when you are not using the keyboard saves power.

■Operating time decreases at low temperatures.

■The condition of the battery terminals. Make sure the battery terminals stay clean by wiping them with a clean dry cloth before installing the battery pack.

User’s Manual 6-9