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    battery life and auto shutdown

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by hazard, Feb 28, 2007.

  1. hazard

    hazard Notebook Guru

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    i usually download lots of things from the net.. so for that purpose i tend to keep my laptop ( i.e. Dell e1505 ) ON on battery for 8-9 hours continuous unattended..

    last night somehow i forgot to plug the power cord, so my notebook got hibernated after 2-3 hours (after the battery was depleted of charge).. which was great as my download was completed and the system was shutdown.

    i was thinking will this process of keeping my notebook on for long hours do any damage to system and battery ?

    is there any free tool which can auto shutdown my dell after 5-6hrs if its on battery..

    any suggestions on how to maintain my battery.. i read somewhere that i should completely discharge my battery once a week or so.. but i have been doing that every alternate day !! not by choice thou :(

    any tips experts !!

    p.s. hey southern gurl, no tips for a long time... i wish you could write something on dell linux and dell vista upgrade :)

    cheers !
     
    hazard, Feb 28, 2007
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  2. hazard

    hazard Notebook Guru

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    btw.. OS is windows xp media center
     
    hazard, Feb 28, 2007
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  3. Kdawgca

    Kdawgca rotaredoM repudrepuS RBN

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    Kdawgca, Feb 28, 2007
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  4. otakuoverlord

    otakuoverlord Notebook Evangelist

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    You can set XP's power control options to hibernate your system when your remaining battery power drops to 20-25% rather than the default of 10% or less- or whatever your power % would be when that time comes around.

    The guide has good advice on long-term battery storage and monthly maintenance

    I give my clients this rule of thumb regarding when to take the battery out of the unit to maintain best efficiency-

    "If it's a desktop, it doesn't need a battery!"

    Translated: "Take the battery out if you're always hooked up to the socket."
     
    otakuoverlord, Feb 28, 2007
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  5. jdtech

    jdtech Notebook Enthusiast

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    That's a good point, but with my D620, I have to keep the battery in because it has one of the feet that holds the laptop straight!
     
    jdtech, Feb 28, 2007
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  6. hazard

    hazard Notebook Guru

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    is it advisable to remove the battery when i am directly plugged in ???

    i did not know that !!!

    but wht if the power is cut off for a sec by accident or something :(

    i shud try doing that .. removing battery while long hours :p
     
    hazard, Feb 28, 2007
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  7. mtor

    mtor Notebook Deity

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    I don't know if it will damage the battery if you leave it in but personaly I just remove the battery and run it off of AC
     
    mtor, Feb 28, 2007
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  8. Corbu'

    Corbu' Notebook Geek

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    Same thing for Inspiron E1505 / 6400. I think DELL is getting smarter, it makes more money from batteries. :mad:
     
    Corbu', Feb 28, 2007
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