Chapter Two: ON THE ROAD
This section covers running your computer on battery power, using the power management
features and some general precautions you should take when using your computer on the road.
BATTERY OPERATION
The battery pack inserts in the underside of the computer, and is already installed when you get
it. The pack is a set of batteries encased in a plastic shell, the bottom of which forms part of the
bottom of the computer. This section explains how to charge and exchange the battery, and
contains information on operating the computer on battery power.
Charging the Battery
You must charge the battery completely the first time you use it. This is explained in Chapter
One, so please go back and refer to the explanation if you missed it. Before you start, don’t
forget to remove the protective insert in the battery compartment by pulling it out. The battery
takes two and a half-hours to charge with the computer turned off, and stops charging
automatically when it is full. The battery gauge should show full when you first turn on the
computer after having charged the battery.
Normally, you should try to charge the battery when you aren’t using the computer. When you
use the computer with the AC adapter, the battery charges automatically. You can charge it while
the computer is turned on, but it can take as much as five hours to charge completely. The charge
icon will display in the LCD status bar while the battery is charging. After the battery is fully
charged and the charge icon goes out, the charger still provides a small amount of current to the
battery, so that as you use the computer, the battery stays fully charged.
Warning, Do not charge the battery while the computer is in its carrying case. Charging the
battery builds up a significant amount of heat, which can damage the computer if there is no way
for the heat to dissipate.
Changing the Battery
If you buy an extra battery, you can replace the installed one when it runs out, and recharge it
later. To remove the battery pack, turn off the computer and unplug the AC adapter. Turn the
computer over and slide the retaining latch away from the battery pack. The battery will pop up
and you can pull it out. Put the replacement battery in the way the original came out. Make sure
the latch secures the battery in place so it won’t fall out when you turn the computer right side
up.
If you are using a replacement battery for the first time, make sure you charge it fully, just as you
did the original battery when you first got the computer. You can refer to Chapter One for a
reminder of the details.
Battery Life
A feature of NiMH batteries is that they tend to self-discharge, which is why you must charge the
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