Checking the battery charge – Dell Precision M4300 User Manual

Page 13

Quick Reference Guide

Checking the Battery Charge

The Dell QuickSet Battery Meter, the Microsoft Windows

Power Meter window and

icon, the

battery charge gauge and health gauge, and the low-battery warning provide information on the battery
charge.

Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter

If Dell QuickSet is installed, press to display the QuickSet Battery Meter. The Battery Meter
displays status, battery health, charge level, and charge completion time for the battery in your computer.

For more information about QuickSet, click the QuickSet icon in the Microsoft

Windows

taskbar,

and click

Help.

Microsoft

Windows

Power Meter

The Windows Power Meter indicates the remaining battery charge. To check the Power Meter, double-click
the

icon on the taskbar.

If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a

icon appears.

Charge Gauge

By either pressing once or pressing and holding the status button on the charge gauge on the battery, you
can check:

•

Battery charge (check by pressing and releasing the status button)

•

Battery health (check by pressing and holding the status button)

The battery operating time is largely determined by the number of times it is charged. After hundreds of
charge and discharge cycles, batteries lose some charge capacity—or battery health. That is, a battery can
show a status of "charged" but maintain a reduced charge capacity (health).

Check the Battery Charge

To check the battery charge, press and release the status button on the battery charge gauge to illuminate
the charge-level lights. Each light represents approximately 20 percent of the total battery charge.
For example, if the battery has 80 percent of its charge remaining, four of the lights are on. If no lights
appear, the battery has no charge.

Check the Battery Health

NOTE:

You can check battery health in one of two ways: by using the charge gauge on the battery as described

below and by using the Battery Meter in Dell QuickSet. For information about QuickSet, right-click the QuickSet
icon in the Microsoft

Windows

taskbar, and click

Help.