Dell Precision M60 - Manual (Page 23)

In addition, when your computer is connected to a docking device (docked), the Battery Meter screen includes a Dock Battery tab, which displays the charge
level and current status of the docking device battery.
The following icons appear in the Battery Meter screen:
For more information about QuickSet, right-click the icon in the 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. For more information
on the Power Meter tab, see " Power Management ."
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a icon appears.
Charge Gauge
Before you insert a battery , press 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.
Health Gauge
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. To check the battery health, press and hold the status button on the battery charge gauge for at least 3 seconds. If no
lights appear, the battery is in good condition, and more than 80 percent of its original charge capacity remains. Each light represents incremental
degradation. If five lights appear, less than 60 percent of the charge capacity remains, and you should consider replacing the battery. See "
Specifications " for
more information about the battery operating time.
Low-Battery Warning
A low-battery warning occurs when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. The computer beeps once, indicating that minimal battery
operating time remains. During that time, the speaker beeps periodically. If two batteries are installed, the low-battery warning means that the combined
charge of both batteries is approximately 90 percent depleted. The computer enters hibernate mode when the battery charge is at a critically low level. For
more information on low-battery alarms, see "
Power Management ."
Charging the Battery
When you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery while the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the computer checks the
battery charge and temperature. If necessary, the AC adapter then charges the battery and maintains the battery charge.
If the battery is hot from being used in your computer or being in a hot environment, the battery may not charge when you connect the computer to an
electrical outlet.
The battery is too hot to start charging if the light flashes alternately green and orange. Shut down the computer, disconnect the computer from the
electrical outlet, and allow the computer and the battery to cool to room temperature. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet to continue charging
the battery.
For more information on resolving problems with a battery, see " Power Problems ."
Removing a Battery
l The computer or docking device is running on battery power.
l The battery is discharging or idle.
l The computer or docking device is connected to an electrical outlet and running on AC power.
l The battery is charging.
l The computer or docking device is connected to an electrical outlet and running on AC power.
l The battery is discharging, idle, or charging.
NOTICE: To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work immediately after a low-battery warning. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet,
or install a second battery in the module bay. If the battery runs completely out of power, hibernate mode begins automatically.
NOTE: The AC adapter charges a completely discharged battery in approximately 1 hour with the computer turned off. Charge time is longer with the
computer turned on. You can leave the battery in the computer as long as you like. The battery internal circuitry prevents the battery from overcharging.