Maintenance &
Service Guide
Presario 1200 Series
Models: 1255, 1257, 1260, 1262, 1266, and 1267
| Home
Page | Notice | Preface | Product
Description | Troubleshooting
Illustrated Parts Catalog | Removal & Replacement Procedures | Specifications
Pin Assignments | Battery
Pack Operations
This appendix covers the following information concerning
battery pack operating time:
- Increase battery pack operating time
- Conditioning a battery pack
- Disposal of a used battery pack
Increasing Battery Pack Operating Time
Battery pack operating time differs depending on several
variables. To avoid unnecessary replacement, consider the following variables when
determining how long a charged battery pack should last:
- Power management settings
- Hardware configuration
- Software applications
- Installed options
- Display brightness
- Hard drive usage
- Changes in operating temperature
- Type and number of installed PC Cards
NOTE: |
The power consumption requirements for PC Cards
vary widely. Some cards drain the battery pack very rapidly. |
Battery pack operating time can be increased by as much
as 50 percent by controlling the energy required by the computer and the energy stored in
the battery pack.
Minimizing the Energy Required
To minimize the energy required by the
computer, follow these steps:
1. Set the power conservation levels
in the Power Management utility to Maximum.
2. Customize the timeout value to
work more efficiently with the applications. The amount of battery life depends on the
values selected.
Maximizing the Energy Stored
To maximize the energy stored in the battery
pack, follow these guidelines:
Condition the battery pack at least every 30 days to
improve overall battery performance.
Keep a battery pack in the computer when using it
with AC power to supply the battery pack with a constant trickle charge.
Store the battery pack in a cool, dry place when not
in use.
Return to the top of this page.
Conditioning a Battery Pack
 |
CAUTION: To
avoid a loss of data, ensure that all data is saved before discharging a battery pack. |
To condition a battery pack, complete the
following steps:
1. Plug in the AC adapter and allow the battery to
charge until the LED light on the display stops blinking. Your battery gauge may read 100
percent for a period of time before LED light on the display stops blinking. Do not unplug
the AC adapter until the arrow disappears.
2. Unplug the AC adapter and allow the battery to drain
until the computer reaches hibernation and turns itself off. Do not plug in the AC
adapter during this process or you will need to restart with Step No. 1. You may use
the computer while the battery is draining.
3. Your battery is re- conditioned.
4. Plug in the AC adapter and begin using the computer.
The table below shows the approximate
battery pack charge times.
Approximate Battery Charge Time |
Computer |
On Line |
Off Line |
NiMH Battery Pack |
4.0 hours premature
termination |
2:00 hrs |
Li ion Battery Pack |
4.5 hours premature
termination |
2:50 hrs |
Disposal of a Used Battery Pack
In the interest of safeguarding our environment. Compaq
Computer Corporation recommends that nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium ion (Li ion)
battery packs be recycled. Battery packs should be handled in accordance with country,
state, province, or local regulations.
 |
CAUTION: Never
attempt to open or service a battery pack. Opening a battery pack not only damages the
pack and makes it unusable, but also expose potentially harmful battery components. |
Return to the top of this page.
|