Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 7000 Charging question

I have searched the forums and other posters seem to have the same question(unanswered so far)..
So I bought an MS wireless laser mouse 7000, opened the package, and read the manual... It said "charge for 1 hour" before using.. and that a full charge takes 7 hours.
So i take it that it was already pre-charged for 6 hours when i first bought it..

1. I placed in on the dock, and now it is blinking green... the other posters said it turns red after a while (hasn't happened yet just started charging) but does that mean it's finished? The other posters said they re-placed it back on the dock and it started blinking green again...

2. how do you charge it? do you empty it before charging fully for 7 hours? or do you leave it on the dock every night?

3. i have always used a sheet of paper as a mousepad, but this mouse is quite expensive.. should I buy a mousepad?

thanks... sorry if the questions seem overly cautious... it is a hideously expensive mouse.. (the cheapest wireless mouse with a charger that I could get.. but still over my budget )

 

Some very important info

From NBR, link. Not so important but a review, it is how I found battery type. Very important to answer your question. NiMH.

Battery U page on charging, link.

First off let me point out if you want to play with it now? I am that way with new stuff. Just throw in a AAA batt and go until ready to properly charge included batt. I will also point out you can buy a charger and batts for like $10. So not worth overstressing.

1st charge-trickle-charged for 24 hours prior to use. Trickle charge brings all cells to equal charge level because each cell (yours maybe single cell?) self-discharges at a different rate. Trickle charge also redistributes the electrolyte to remedy dry spots on the separator brought on by gravitation of the electrolyte during long storage.

You should buy a fast charger for the battery if prolonging the life of a >$5 part is important to you. Frequent partial discharges are preferred to prolong batt life. Deep cycle should be done every three months. Fully charge do not partial charge.

Yours came with a slow charger indicated by the length of time they have the battery on the charger 1st time. Fast charger fully charge in about one hour.

If you do not follow the full charge when first using will not permanently damage but will have poor performance for a while until with repeated full charges it catches up with it's capacity.

Do not leave on charger for more than 3 days.