Recalibrate your NiMh battery when one of the following occurs:
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l A message appears, prompting you to recalibrate your battery.
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l The typical battery operating time decreases.
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When you recalibrate your NiMH battery, do not remove the battery. Allow several hours for the procedure to complete.
Recalibrating a Battery When the Recalibrating Message Appears
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If your computer displays a message that prompts you to recalibrate your battery:
1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
2. Connect the computer to an electrical outlet and turn it back on.
The battery recalibration message should appear on the screen immediately following the Dell logo.
3. To skip the battery recalibration process and continue the system boot, press <ESC>.
4. To start the battery recalibration procedure, press <F1>.
The battery recalibration begins and the AC adapter charges the battery until the battery gauge (shown on the Battery Info screen) states 100%
charged.
A message appears, prompting you to remove the AC adapter when the battery is fully charged.
5. When prompted, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet.
The battery discharges until the battery gauge (shown on the Battery Info screen) states 0% charged. When the battery is completely discharged, the
computer automatically turns off.
6. Connect the AC adapter to your computer.
7. Allow the AC adapter to charge the battery until the battery light turns off.
Recalibrating a Battery Using the System Setup Utility
1. Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.
2. Turn on (or restart) the computer.
3. When the Dell logo appears, press <F2> immediately. If you wait too long and the logo for the Microsoft®Windows®operating system appears,
continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.
4. Using the down-arrow key, select Battery Info.
l The Battery Recalibration Process screen appears, showing the functions (Charge or Discharge) on the left of the screen, and the Battery Info
charge status on the right of the screen.
l The AC adapter begins charging the battery. The Charge Battery to Full option is highlighted on the left of the screen. The percent charged
information is displayed on the right of the screen.
l The AC adapter charges the battery until the battery gauge states 100% charged. The battery light turns off after the battery is fully charged.
5. Ensure that the battery light is off.
6. Disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet.
The battery discharges until the battery gauge states 0% charged. The Discharge Battery to Empty option is highlighted on the left of the screen.
When the battery is completely discharged, the computer automatically turns off.
7. Connect the computer to the electrical outlet.
8. Allow the AC adapter to charge the battery until the battery light turns off.
Removing a Battery
1. Ensure that the computer is turned off and disconnected from the electrical outlet.