Gateway m500 User Manual

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Managing Power
Read this chapter to learn how to:
■Install and remove the battery
■Recharge the battery
■Manage power usage 
						

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Chapter 3: Managing Power
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Using the battery
Your notebook’s battery lets you use your notebook without having to plug it 
into an electrical outlet. The battery recharges when the AC adapter is plugged 
into your notebook and an electrical outlet.
The battery has the following characteristics:
■Employs current battery technology standards
The computer uses a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery which does not have the 
memory effect problem of Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries. Li-Ion 
batteries consistently provide the longest battery life.
■Battery-low warning
When the battery charge level becomes low, the status indicator on your 
notebook flashes at regular intervals. This tells you that the battery power 
is critically low (and you should save your work). You can correct this 
situation by recharging the battery.
Whenever possible, use the AC adapter. The battery will come in handy when 
you travel or during a power failure. We recommend that you have an extra, 
fully-charged battery available as backup.
Using the battery for the first time
To use the battery for the first time:
1Plug the AC adapter into the notebook and an electrical outlet, and let 
the battery fully recharge.
2Disconnect the AC adapter and run the notebook on the battery until the 
charge is used up before recharging again. 
You only need to do this once or twice with a new battery or with a battery 
thats been stored without being used for a long time. If the computer is 
to be stored for more than two weeks, we suggest you remove the battery. 
Battery power from a fully charged battery depletes in roughly a day with 
the computer in Standby mode or a month in Hibernation mode or when 
power is off. 
						

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Using the battery
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Installing the battery
To install a battery:
■Insert the battery at an angle (1), press gently on the battery (2) until it 
clicks into place, then slide the battery lock latch into the locked position 
(3).
WarningDo not expose batteries to temperatures below 32°F (0°C) 
or above 140°F (60°C). This may adversely affect the 
battery. 
						

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Removing the battery
To remove the battery:
■Slide the battery lock latch into the unlocked position (1), slide and hold 
the battery release latch (2), then lift the battery by using the built-in slot 
in the battery (3) and pull the battery out of the bay (4).
ImportantBefore removing the battery, make sure that you have an 
AC adapter connected to the computer. Otherwise, turn off 
the computer. 
						

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Using the battery
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Recharging the battery
To charge the battery:
■Install the battery, then plug the AC adapter into your notebook and an 
electrical outlet.
Charging modes
The adapter has two charging modes:
■Rapid mode
Your notebook uses rapid charging when power is turned off and the AC 
adapter is connected to your notebook and an electrical outlet. In rapid 
mode, a fully depleted battery gets 95% charged in approximately 1.5 
hours.
■Charge-in-use mode
When your notebook is in use with the AC adapter plugged in, the 
computer also charges the battery, if installed. This mode will take longer 
to fully charge a battery than rapid mode. In charge-in-use mode, a fully 
depleted battery gets 95% charged in approximately 4 hours.
Checking the charge level
The Windows battery meter indicates the current charge level. Rest your cursor 
on the battery meter (or AC plug) icon on the taskbar to see the current charge 
level of your battery.
Tips & TricksWe suggest that you connect the AC adapter at the end 
of your day to recharge overnight. This ensures a fully 
charged battery for use the next day. 
						

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Optimizing battery life 
Optimizing battery life prolongs the charge/recharge cycle and improves 
recharge efficiency. Follow these suggestions to optimize and maximize battery 
power:
■Purchase an extra battery.
■Use the AC adapter whenever possible so the battery is reserved for 
on-the-go computing.
■Keep the battery in the your notebook when you are using the AC adapter. 
The constant trickle charge maintains the battery level to eliminate the 
battery self-discharge effect. The charge-in-use function also charges the 
battery.
■Eject the PC card from the card slot when it is not in use because the PC 
card uses power even when the card is not in use.
■Store the battery in a cool, dry place. The recommended storage 
temperature for batteries ranges from 50° to 86°F (10° to 30°C). The higher 
the storage temperature, the faster the battery self-discharges. 
■The batteries can be recharged about 400 times when used as directed. 
Excessive recharging decreases battery life.
■Take care of your battery and AC adapter. See “Care and maintenance” on 
page 5.
Battery-low warning
You never have to worry about battery power as long as you are using the AC 
adapter. However, when you operate the computer on battery power, pay extra 
attention to the power indicator on the LCD panel.
During a battery-low condition, the power indicator flashes at regular intervals 
until battery power is depleted.
CautionConnect the AC adapter to your notebook as soon as 
possible. Data is lost when notebook power is cut off during 
Standby mode. 
						

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Using the battery
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The following table shows the recommended course of action to take when you 
encounter a battery-low condition.
Situation Recommended Action
AC adapter and 
electrical outlet 
available1 Connect the AC adapter to the computer.
2 Save all necessary files.
3 Resume work.
Turn off the computer if you want to recharge the 
battery rapidly.
An extra 
fully-charged 
battery available1 Save all necessary files.
2 Close the program.
3 Shut down Windows and turn off you notebook.
4 Replace the battery.
5 Turn on the computer and resume work.
AC adapter or 
electrical outlet not 
available1 Save all necessary files.
2 Close the program.
3 Shut down Windows and turn off your 
notebook. 
						

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Power management
Your notebook has a built-in power management unit that monitors system 
activity. System activity refers to any activity involving one or more of the 
following devices: keyboard, mouse, hard drive, a peripheral device connected 
to the parallel port, and video memory. If no activity is detected for a period 
of time (called an inactivity timeout), your notebook stops some or all of these 
devices in order to conserve energy.
Your notebook employs a power management scheme that supports ACPI 
(Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) which allows for maximum 
power conservation and maximum performance at the same time. Windows 
handles all power-saving chores for your computer.
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) is a power management 
specification jointly developed by Compaq/Intel/Microsoft/Phoenix/Toshiba. 
ACPI enables Windows to control the amount of power given to each device 
attached to your notebook. With ACPI, Windows can turn off peripheral devices 
when they are not in use to save power.
Tips & TricksWe recommend you enable power management to prolong 
your battery life. See the Windows help for more details. 
						

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Using Peripheral
Devices and
Options
Read this chapter to learn how to:
■Connect peripheral devices
■Use hardware options
■Upgrade your notebook 
						

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Chapter 4: Using Peripheral Devices and Options
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External monitor
You can connect an external monitor to the CRT port. Read the monitor manual 
for additional instructions.
 
Using simultaneous display
Your notebook takes advantage of Windows multi-display capability, allowing 
you to use your notebook for presentation purposes. So whatever is displayed 
in your notebook will likewise be displayed on the other external display.
To use simultaneous display, you can choose to connect other display devices 
to your notebook through the monitor port.
ImportantIf an external monitor is not connected, closing the display 
cover puts your notebook into Standby mode.