How to increase battery life on your laptop.
How long the battery lasts in your laptop depends upon how your computer is configured, the temperature of the environment you are working in, how often you access the hard drive, what devices you are using (disk drives, modem and various attachments), and how much you use those accessories.
The most common cause of battery failure is improper battery care. Do not leave the computer plugged in and unused for more than a few hours. Overcharging the battery will shorten the battery life.
You can increase battery life by periodically intentionally running the battery to the point of getting the low power alarm. If you do that at least once a week you should notice better battery performance. If your battery performance has been reduced, regularly allowing the battery to run to near exhaustion may increase the battery life over time.
Charging problems can also occur if the contacts become dirty or corroded. Try removing the battery, cleaning the contacts and replacing the battery. For instructions on removing and cleaning the battery on your laptop, select your laptop type
Taking the above steps should help preserve power and increase battery life. If after taking the above steps your battery lasts less than 15 minutes it may need to be replaced. To arrange for replacement of the battery open a NorthStar Ticket. To open a NorthStar Ticket, click here or see Eureka! document 70001 — How to create a service request in NorthStar. To get additional or replacement batteries, other than to replace a defective battery, you must fill out a purchase requisition. For information about a purchase requisition, click here for Eureka! document 17202 — How to Enter a New Requisition using ePro. You will probably need to show business need and obtain your manager's approval.
Your non-functional battery should not be placed in the trash. In Denver submit a North Star ticket and desktop support will come by and pick it up or send the battery to Receiving in Building One. Other locations should ensure the battery is delivered to their local recycling center. If you don't know where your local recycling facility is, contact the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation at 1-800-8-BATTERY (1-800-822-8837). They will provide you with the address of the recycling center nearest to you.
Removing the battery from the Tecra 550 and 8100:
Shutdown the computer.
Remove all cables connected to the computer.
The battery cover is on the front of the machine below the open/close latch. Turn the machine upside down. Slide the battery cover to the left. It should not come off because it is part of the battery.
Slide the battery out by pulling it toward the front of the machine.
Wipe the battery terminals with a clean cloth. If you see any dirt, corrosion or other foreign substance on the battery terminals try a little rubbing alcohol to clean them.
Return the battery to the machine by sliding it back in.
Secure the battery by sliding the battery cover to the right until it clicks into place.
Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.
Removing the battery from the Tecra 8000:
Shutdown the computer.
Remove all cables connected to the computer.
The battery cover is on the front of the machine below the open/close latch. Turn the machine upside down. Slide the battery cover to the right. It should not come off because it is part of the battery.
Slide the battery out by pulling it toward the front of the machine.
Wipe the battery terminals with a clean cloth. If you see any dirt, corrosion or other foreign substance on the battery terminals try a little rubbing alcohol to clean them.
Return the battery to the machine by sliding it back in.
Secure the battery by sliding the battery cover to the left until it clicks into place.
Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.
Removing the battery from the Portege 3110:
Shutdown the computer.
Remove all cables connected to the computer.
The battery is the bar that spans the back of the machine. Turn the machine upside down. There is a slide button that locks the battery in place. Slide that button toward the unlocked position.
Slide the battery out.
Wipe the battery terminals with a clean cloth. If you see any dirt, corrosion or other foreign substance on the battery terminals try a little rubbing alcohol to clean them.
Return the battery to the machine by sliding it back in.
Secure the battery by sliding the battery lock back to the locked position.
Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.
Removing the battery from the IBM thinkpad T40 or T41:
Shutdown the computer.
Remove all cables connected to the computer.
The battery is a long oblong spanning most of the back of the machine. Turn the machine upside down. There are two slide buttons that lock the battery in place. Slide those buttons toward the unlocked position.
Slide the battery out.
Wipe the battery terminals with a clean cloth. If you see any dirt, corrosion or other foreign substance on the battery terminals try a little rubbing alcohol to clean them.
Return the battery to the machine by sliding it back in.
Secure the battery by sliding the battery lock back to the locked position.
Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.
Never try to disassemble the battery pack.
If the battery has leaked or been vented, it should be replaced immediately. Use protective gloves when handling a damaged battery.
When the power in the battery pack becomes low, the Battery indicator flashes orange indicating that only a few minutes of battery power remain. If you continue to use the computer while the Battery indicator flashes, the computer enables Resume mode (so you don't lose data) and automatically turns off.
To recharge a battery pack while it is installed in the computer, connect the AC adapter to the DC IN socket and plug the other end into a working outlet.
The Battery indicator glows orange when the battery is being charged.
CAUTION: Use only the computer connected to an AC power source or the optional Toshiba Battery charger to charge the battery pack. Do not attempt to charge the battery pack with any other charger.
The battery may not charge right away under the following conditions:
The battery is extremely hot or cold. To assure the battery charges to its full capacity, charge the battery at room temperature of 10 to 30C (50 to 88F).
The battery is nearly completely discharged. Leave the AC adapter connected for a few minutes and the battery should begin charging.
NOTE: Once a battery pack is fully charged, it is recommended that you operate the computer only on battery power until the battery pack completely discharges. Doing so extends battery life and helps ensure accurate monitoring of battery capacity. So take the battery out if you are using the machine on AC adaptor for prolonged times.
The Battery indicator may show a rapid decrease in battery operating time when you try to charge a battery under the following conditions:
The battery has not been used for a long time.
The battery has completely discharged and been left in the computer for a long time.
A cool battery is installed in a warm computer.
In such case, follow the steps below.
1.Fully discharge the battery by leaving it in the computer with the power on until the power automatically shuts off.
2.Plug in the AC adapter.
3.Charge the battery until the Battery indicator shows green.
Repeat these steps two or three times until the battery charge recovers normal capacity.
Monitoring battery capacity
Remaining battery power can be monitored by the MaxTime program. Refer to Setup and Password Security.
NOTES
1.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.
2.With repeated discharges and recharges, the battery's capacity will gradually decrease. Therefore, an often used, older battery will not operate for as long as a new battery even when both are fully charged. In this case, MaxTime will indicate a 100% charge for both the old and new battery, but the displayed estimated time remaining will be shorter for the older battery.
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 to conserve battery power. This mode has the following options:
Battery indicator
Check the Main battery indicator to determine the status of the main battery and the Secondary battery indicator to determine the status of the secondary battery. The following indicator lights indicate the battery status:
Flashing orange - The battery charge is low. The AC adapter must be connected to recharge the battery.
Orange - Indicates the AC adapter is connected and charging the battery.
Green - Indicates the AC adapter is connected and the battery is fully charged.
No light - Under any other conditions, the indicator does not light.
NOTE: If the battery becomes too hot while it is being charged, the charge will stop and the battery indicator will go out. When the battery's temperature falls to a normal range, charge will resume. This event occurs regardless of whether the power to the computer is on or off.
DC IN indicator
Check the DC IN indicator to determine the power status with the AC adapter connected:
Green - Indicates the AC adapter is connected and supplying proper power to the computer.
Flashing orange - Indicates a problem with the power supply or overheating of the CPU. Plug the AC adapter into another outlet. If the indicator still flashes, there could be a problem with the internal converter or the internal temperature is too high. Let the computer cool to room temperature. If it still does not operate properly, see your dealer.
No light - Under any other conditions, the indicator does not light.
Battery types
Main battery
When the AC power cord is not connected, the computer's main power source is a removable lithium ion battery pack. The main battery recharges both the backup and the RTC batteries. The backup and main battery maintain the state of the computer when you enable Resume.
Backup battery
The backup battery provides power for the computer's Resume feature. It backs up data and programs in memory when the power is off, when the AC adapter is removed and when the main battery pack is fully discharged or removed. If the backup battery is completely discharged, Resume does not function and the computer loses all data in memory. The following message appears when you turn on the power:
WARNING: RESUME FAILURE.
PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE.
CAUTION: The battery can explode if not properly replaced, used, handled or disposed of.
Real time clock battery
The Real Time Clock (RTC) battery provides power for the internal real time clock and calendar. It also maintains the system configuration. If the RTC battery becomes completely discharged, the system loses this data and the real time clock and calendar stop working. The following message appears when you turn on the power:
*** Bad RTC battery ***
Check system. Then press [F1] key . . . . . .
CAUTION
The computer's RTC battery is a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery and can explode if not properly replaced, used, handled or disposed of.
When you turn off your computer with fully charged batteries, the batteries retain data for the following approximate time periods:
Battery pack4 to 5 days
Back up battery2 hours
RTC battery1 month
Extending battery life
To maximize the life of your battery pack:
If you have extra battery packs, rotate their use.
If you will not be using the system for an extended period, remove the battery pack.
Disconnect the AC adapter when the battery is fully charged. Overcharging makes the battery hot and shortens life.
Store spare battery packs in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.
Replacing the battery pack
When the battery pack reaches the end of its operating life you will need to install a new one. The life of the battery pack is generally about 500 recharges. If the Battery indicator flashes orange shortly after fully recharging the battery, the battery pack needs to be replaced.
You might also replace a discharged battery pack with a charged spare when you are operating your computer away from an AC power source. This section explains how to remove and install battery packs.
Created by the PeopleSoft Knowledge Management Team.
Copyright © 1998-2004
All rights reserved.
Created: db 09/08/1998
Revised: db 04/30/2004