Microsoft ® Windows ® Power Meter; Charge Gauge - Dell INSPIRON PP05XB Owner's Manual

Battery Health
NOTE:
You can check battery health in one of two ways: by using the charge gauge on the battery (see "Check the
Battery Health" on page 46), and by using the Battery Health tab on the Battery Meter window in Dell QuickSet.
The QuickSet Battery Health tab displays your battery's health status and recommends replacement of
the battery, when needed. The battery's health is described as:
• Normal
• Caution
• Depleted (Battery Failure)
Battery Tips
The QuickSet Battery Tips tab provides recommendations to optimize the battery operating time and
overall life.
For more information about Dell QuickSet, see "Dell™ QuickSet Features" on page 53. For more
information about the QuickSet Battery Status, Battery Health, and Battery Tips, right-click the
icon in the taskbar and click Help.
®
Microsoft Windows
The Windows Power Meter indicates the remaining battery charge. To check the Power Meter, double-
click the icon on the taskbar. For more information about the Power Meter tab, see "Power Meter
Tab" on page 50.
If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a

Charge Gauge

By pressing (or pressing and holding) the status button on the charge gauge on the battery, you can
check:
• Battery charge (check by pressing and releasing the status button)
• Battery health (check by pressing and holding the status button)
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. That is, a battery can
show a status of "charged" but maintain a reduced charge capacity (health).
Check the Battery Charge
To check the battery charge, 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.
®
Power Meter
icon appears.
45
Using a Battery