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Using a Battery
DellPrecision™M90User'sGuide
Battery Performance
Checking the Battery Charge
Conserving Battery Power
Power Management Modes
Configuring Power Management Settings
Charging the Battery
Replacing the Battery
Storing a Battery
Battery Performance
ForoptimalcomputerperformanceandtohelppreserveBIOSsettings,operateyourDell™portablecomputerwiththebatteryinstalledatalltimes.One
battery is supplied as standard equipment in the battery bay.
l Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions. Operating time is significantly reduced when you perform operations including, but not
limited to, the following:
l Using optical drives
l Using wireless communications devices, ExpressCards, or USB devices
l Using high-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power-intensive programs such as complex 3D graphics applications
l Running the computer in maximum performance mode. See Configuring Power Management Settings for information about accessing Windows Power
Options Properties or Dell QuickSet, which you can use to configure power management settings.
You can check the battery charge before you insert the battery into the computer. You can also set power management options to alert you when the battery
charge is low. For more information, see Checking the Battery Charge.
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™QuickSetBatteryMeter
If Dell QuickSet is installed, press <Fn><F3> 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, right-click the icon in the taskbar, and click Help.
NOTE: Because the battery may not be fully charged, use the AC adapter to connect your new computer to an electrical outlet the first time you use the
computer. For best results, operate the computer with the AC adapter until the battery is fully charged. To view battery charge status, click Start®
Control Panel® Power Options, and click Power Meter tab.
CAUTION: Misuse of the battery may increase the risk of fire or chemical burn. Do not puncture, incinerate, disassemble, or expose the battery to
temperaturesabove65°C(149°F).Keepthebatteryawayfromchildren.Handledamagedorleakingbatterieswithextremecare.Damaged
batteries may leak and cause personal injury or equipment damage.