xps 15 L502x - shut down options and running off the mains

Couple of questions - sometimes on the log in screen (from boot up or sleep mode) asking for my password, I get a red shut down icon in the bottom right hand corner with a drop down menu with shut down options. I experimented choosing one of them and was warned that doing this would mean losing data belonging to the other users (not that i have anyone else using the laptop). But the icon isn't there most of the time - any reasons why it appears randomly?

I also heard that the battery (I have 9 cell) shuts off from charging once its charged so cannot be overcharged. But does anyone still carry on using the laptop off the mains after this? Are there hidden downsides to the life of the battery eventually?

adv thx

 

Not sure about your first question.

But using the battery---what exactly is your concern? The more times you discharge the battery, the sooner it will wear out.

 

Hi - thanks for replying. I heard that keeping the laptop left at the mains reduces the battery capacity. This obviously goes against what Dell says (where the battery cannot be overcharged and isn't adversely affected), but I tend to carry on using the laptop still plugged in even after it's fully charged, so just wondered if there was any eventual disadvantage.

Your saying that the more times you discharge the battery, the sooner it will wear out does suggest however that there's some advantage leaving it in the mains even at full charge.

Thx again.

 

For the red button, it should not be random. there should be no red button when you put the computer to sleep and wake it up. and there is no red button when you lock the computer. there is only a red button when you restart / turn on the computer. (at least it shouldn't be random). to get the red button when you wake up from sleep, just hit "Switch user". basically, you should only see the red button when you boot up from shut down.

i think the overall life of the battery decreases when you keep it in the system because the system has to somehow have instant access to it in case you pull the power (just a GUESS). in my opinion, it's better to keep the battery in. i once tried taking out my battery/not use it to extend its life, since i usually use the plug in, but there's been so many times when i accidentally pulled the power that i just keep the battery in.

 

It's possible that leaving it plugged in may reduce the max charge capacity overtime. I've always heard that as well.

On the other hand, my Dell Insprion 6000 was plugged in and kept turned on for over 4 years straight minus only a couple of days a year. After almost 5 years, the factory battery still held enough of a charge to power the laptop for over 3 hours. So, in my possibly rare case, that myth has no truth to it.