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 Important Tips for Maintenance of Laptop Computer Batteries  
Most laptop owners neglect to look after the computer's batteries. Maintaining the laptop's batteries makes good sense, and only requires a minor alteration in user behavior and maintenance practice to make sure that the laptop functions when needed.

By Robert Pierre

Most laptop owners neglect to look after the batteries, resulting in impaired functionality and utility of the computer when needed. Looking after the laptop's batteries makes good sense, and only requires a minor alteration in user behavior and maintenance practice to prolong not only battery life, but also to make sure that the laptop functions when needed.

Users usually make two mistakes with laptop battery care. The first is that they use the laptop continuously while connected to the AC supply with the batteries inserted in the laptop. They are then surprised to find that the laptop will not power up at some point. The second common mistake is partially discharging the batteries.

What do you do when you try to switch on your laptop and all you get is dead silence? First step: remove the battery and connect the computer to the AC power supply alone. If the laptop powers up, you know you have a problem with the laptop battery. A process known as 'purging' is often enough to resolve the battery issue, and we will show you what to do later on.

Partially discharging the battery repeatedly teaches the battery that it does not need to charge itself fully when AC power is connected. When you come to rely upon battery power, and you do not have a full charge, your use of the laptop when away from an AC power supply is curtailed. The battery 'memory' is reduced when incompletely discharged, and this produces the shortening effect that is known as 'battery fade'.

Many laptop users complain about how their battery does not power their laptop for very long when they are relying solely on battery power. These two issues are the primary reasons why this occurs. How can you avoid falling into these pitfalls?

Here are a couple of tips to help you get the most out of your laptop battery and maintain laptop utility.

1. First check whether you have nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries or the nickel metal hydride (NiMH) type, and take some time to read the manufacturer's instructions.

Under normal usage, you should discharge both types of battery completely. To do this, power up the computer using the battery alone, disconnect the AC power supply, and allow the computer to run the power down in the battery completely. When you receive the battery low warning, you can reconnect the AC power supply - but leave it plugged in for a complete recharge, which may be as long as 12 hours, depending on the battery.

2. The second tip is to purge your batteries. Purging is where you disconnect the AC power completely, and stop the laptop's sleep or hibernation feature from being initiated. Allow the laptop to discharge the battery until it powers itself off due to lack of power. Reconnect the AC power supply, but do not power the laptop up, and allow the battery to regain a charge for the next 24 hours. If you have NiCad batteries, perform this once a month, and for NiMH every three months.

These two simple procedures will ensure that you are able to prolong the life of your laptop battery and make sure you can get the most out of mobile computing. Reading the battery care instructions will take only a few minutes. The return on this simple investment is not simply the money you will save, but the enhanced use and productivity to be gained from using your laptop when you need it wherever you happen to be.

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Related reading: Also learn about laptop manuals plus help for laptop repair. Just click the links to find more info. Article Source: 1st Rate Articles - http://1stRateArticles.com


  Article added 10/01/07.

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