Monitoring Battery Capacity; Maximising Battery Operating Time - Toshiba SATELLITE 2610 Series User Manual

Monitoring battery capacity

Remaining battery power can be monitored in the Power Save Modes
window in Power Saver.
Wait at least 16 seconds after turning on the computer before trying to
monitor the remaining operating time. The computer needs this time to
check the battery's remaining capacity and to calculate the remaining
operating time, based on the current power consumption rate and
remaining battery capacity. The actual remaining operating time may
differ slightly from the calculated time.
With repeated discharges and recharges, the battery's capacity will
gradually decrease. Therefore, an often used, older battery will not
operate for as long as a new battery even when both are fully charged.
In this case, the Power Saver utility will indicate a 100% charge for both
the old and new battery, but the displayed estimated time remaining
will be shorter for the older battery.

Maximising battery operating time

A battery's usefulness depends on how long it can supply power on a
single charge.
How long the charge lasts in a battery depends on:

 How you configure the computer (for example, whether you enable
battery-power saving options). The computer provides a battery save
mode to conserve battery power. This mode has the following options:
See Chapter 8, Setup and Password Security.

 How often and how long you use the hard disk, CD/DVD-ROM and
the diskette drive.

 How much charge the battery contained to begin with.

 How you use optional devices, such as a PC card, to which the
battery supplies power.

 Where you store your programs and data.

 Closing the display when you are not using the keyboard saves power.

 Operating time decreases at low temperatures.

 The condition of the battery terminals. Make sure the battery
terminals stay clean by wiping them with a clean dry cloth before
installing the battery pack.
User's Manual
Processor speed (Processing Speed)
Turn off monitor (Display Auto Off)
Turn off hard disks (HDD Auto Off)
System standby (System Auto Off)
Monitor brightness (LCD brightness)
Power and Power-Up Modes 6-7