Checking the Battery Status of a Laptop Battery
Purpose: The purpose of this document is to instruct the user on how to check the status of the laptop battery both physically and in Windows
- Checking the battery (Physically)
- IMPORTANT: Before you continue, please verify that the laptop is shutdown and unplugged. See “Shutting Down a Laptop”
- Turn the laptop upside down so that the bottom of the laptop is face up.
- Slide the indicated button over as illustrated. The battery should release and come out of its slot. Pull the battery out from the area indicated by the red circle.
- Now that the battery is removed, on one of the sides there is a button with an image of a hand on it. Press this button and a meter below will indicate how much power the battery has.
- The meter will then display a percentage of how much power is still available in the battery. Generally it is acceptable for use if the meter read anywhere between 40 and 100. If the meter reads 20 or less the laptop has limited power and it would be best to use a different laptop. By default the battery should be charged before use. If the battery has low power and needs to be replaced, see Section III in this document for instructions.
- Checking the battery (Windows)
- This method of checking the battery is done while the computer is running and logged into Windows.
- In the lower right hand corner of the screen, there is a series of icons and a display of the time. One of these icons depicts an image of a battery. Move your mouse over this icon (indicated by the red arrow) and it will display how much battery life is left.
- Getting a New Battery
- If there is a situation where a battery needs to be replaced, immediately return the uncharged battery to the charger in the closet where you got the laptops from. You may take a replacement from the charger. It is important that the uncharged batteries be recharged, so please do not wait until the end of the period to return the uncharged batteries.
- Both laptop cart locations have two chargers with a spare battery for each laptop.
How to optimize a laptop computer's battery life
It's easy to maximize your
laptop's battery life. All you have to do is reduce its energy consumption. Here are some easy tips to help you get the most from your battery.
- Reduce screen brightness.
- Avoid power-intensive tasks, like playing DVDs.
- Quit any applications and utilities that you're not using. Deactivate any scheduled tasks, if necessary.
- Increase the amount of RAM .
- Clean the battery contacts with rubbing alcohol every few months.
- Disconnect or deactivate any accessories that you're not using (especially Wi-Fi and Bluetooth cards) when you're not connected to a wireless network or other wireless devices.
- Use your computer's battery and power management settings. Click Start > Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > Power Options (in Category View) or simply Start > Control Panel > Power Options (in Classic View). Select one of the available power savings modes. Portable/Laptop reduces power consumption without affecting system performance; however the Max Battery setting affects processing speed and should only be used when your processing needs are minimal, as for example, when reading documents or e-mail.
- Reduce the time before your computer/screen goes into Hibernation (See Images 3 & 4).
- Recharge your battery often.
- Defragment your hard drive on a regular basis .
Acer Laptop Battery Tips
Finding the right batteries for your Acer Laptop may be a challenge, but the store that sold you the laptop should be able to help you figure out what kind of battery you need. These laptops require different types of batteries such as Lithium-Ion, NiCad, and NiMH. Depending on what you need, you will need to learn several tricks and tips to get the most out of your battery life. When you do this, you can use the same battery for longer periods of time and not have to worry about running out of power in the middle of that important project.
Acer Aspire One Laptop Battery
When trying to extend your battery life, you can try one of several tactics. One is to fully charge your battery before using it. Another is to use the battery all the way down until it has no more power. This will help it charge more completely. Also, if the battery has a full charge on it after an hour or two, take it off the charger. Leaving it on the charger to recycle will also wear down your batter power.
Acer Laptop Battery
Buying laptops with smaller displays may also help improve your battery life. Keep the screen on the dimmest setting that you are still able to read. Set the Sleep Mode on the computer. For example, if you haven’t used the laptop in fifteen to twenty minutes, it will turn itself off to conserve battery energy. Make sure to also notice the power left on the battery at different intervals. This will tell you when the battery is almost dead, and you need to replace it before you lose all your documents.
Extreme changes in temperature will also cause problems in batter usage. Extreme heat will cause the power in the battery too quickly. Extreme cold will give the battery problems starting up. If at all possible, keep the laptop plugged in to keep the battery power for when you don’t have electrical access for charging. If the battery does become warm or even hot to the touch, it may be a problem with the circuit that helps charge the battery. Make sure to have it checked completely if you are unsure by a professional.
Acer Aspire One Battery
There are three types of batteries used in Acer laptops. These are NiCad, NiMH, and Lithium-Ion. These all have different properties and cannot be used in place of one another. Check your specifications to find out which battery you need for your specific laptop. The NiMH usually has a longer working time than the Lithium-Ion. So choose the one that will give you the best working conditions for what you need. Another thing to keep in mind is the Memory Effect. Charging and then letting the battery go completely down every week or so will keep it from having a continuous charge and not downgrade how much it will charge.
Many people think they can just buy any old battery and go to work. Batteries must be chosen carefully for each Acer laptop. Keeping them charged and working is the key to success. You do not want to lose your important work because the battery goes dead at the most inopportune moment. Take care to watch the meter on the battery and keep it charged to the full potential if at all possible when in use.
