Can I overcharge my battery?

Just got a new laptop (HP n8430) and the manual doesn't mention much about the battery, if i am charging the battery does it automatically stop charging when it reaches full power or can you not just leave your laptop to charge? Also does anyone know if there is a way to tell when the battery is fully charged or do you need to switch it on?
Thanks, aware this "might" be a stupid question but can't find the answer on the net and am totally useless with technology

 

type 'mobile meter' on google and click on the third link or something and it tells you the charge rate of youtr battery, temperature of it and how muc h its worn out and who makes it

second link and download it from the guy

my laptops always plougged in and it never overheated

did that work?
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Laptops are designed to "stop" charing when they get full (actually I think they trickle charge since the battery gets full, but loses some power and then recharges a little and so on and so on). Windows as standard has a battery meter that you can turn on, but HP may have it's own solution to that particular thing, try to check under control panel for power options or something like that.

 

Lithium batteries can't be overcharged. They actually charge in two ways when filling: First they have a constant current charge, which fills them up quickly, then they switch to a constant voltage charge, which tops them off, but not as fast as the constant current charge. It's also why it charges from 20%->75% really quickly, but going from 90%->100% takes AGES.

 

Thanks a lot everyone much appreciated
EDIT: Although I didn't really understand that mobile meter thing

 

i guess m4rc never heard of the edit button