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Recalibrating Laptop Batteries
Question : I love my laptop, but since I set up a home
wireless network and want to run it off the battery more often,
I find that I get low-power messages after just 30 minutes of
use. Is there any way to replace the battery in a laptop?
Answer : Replacing the laptop's battery is certainly
possible. If you were primarily using the computer as a desktop
machine and had it plugged in most of the time, there's a chance
the battery may simply need to be recalibrated.
Running it off the battery for a short time and then
recharging it usually doesn't keep the battery's power meter in
sync with the actual amount of power stored in the battery cell.
To fix this, most laptop makers recommend that you calibrate
your battery at least once every three months.
Check your laptop's manual or the technical support area of
its manufacturer for specific instructions, but the calibration
process basically involves first turning off your screensaver
and other power management settings that put the computer to
sleep. Then fully charge the laptop before letting it run all
the way down until the computer shuts off automatically.
Once the battery has fully drained, you can charge it back up
again and restore your screensaver and power management
settings.
If you have calibrated your battery and find it still runs
out of power far too soon, it may be time to replace it. If you
decide to do so, make sure you get one that is designed for your
laptop model.
Most major laptop makers sell replacement batteries and other
accessories on their Web sites, so you can probably get one
directly from the company. You can also find discounted
batteries and other parts for many laptop models at sites like
www.laptopsforless.com and
www.batteries.com.
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