Toshiba SATELLITE U500 - Manual (Page 111)

User’s Manual 6-7
Satellite U500/U500D, Satellite Pro U500/U500D
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 adaptor.
3. Charge the battery until the Battery indicator glows white.
Repeat these steps two or three times until the battery recovers normal
capacity.
Monitoring battery capacity
Remaining battery power can be monitored using the following methods.
■ Clicking the battery icon on the task bar
■ Via the Windows Mobility Center window
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 recharge the battery.
■ 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.
■ 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.