Toshiba C70b User Guide
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81Mobile Computing Monitoring battery power If the AC power light flashes amber during charging, either a battery pack is malfunctioning, or it is not receiving correct input from the AC power supply. HINT: Be careful not to confuse the AC power light/ Battery light ( ) and the power button ( ) light. When the AC power light/Battery light or power button light flashes amber, it indicates that the system is suspended (using the Windows ® operating system Sleep command). (Sample Illustration) Power and battery light locations Determining remaining battery power Wait a few moments after turning on the computer before trying to monitor the remaining battery power. The computer needs this time to check the battery’s remaining capacity and perform its calculations. Move the pointer over the power icon in the notification area, see “Finding your way around the desktop” on page 95 for more information on the notification area. A pop-up message displays the remaining battery power as a percentage. With repeated discharges and recharges, the battery’s capacity gradually decreases. A frequently used older battery does not power the computer for as long as a new battery, even when both are fully charged. NOTE AC power light/Battery lightSystem indicator lights Wireless indicator light Front edge of system NOTE
82Mobile Computing Monitoring battery power TECHNICAL NOTE: The computer drains the battery faster at low temperatures. Check your remaining charge frequently if you are working in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The computer calculates the remaining battery charge based on your current rate of power use and other factors such as the age of the battery. What to do when the main battery runs low When the main battery runs low you can: ❖Plug the computer into an external power source and recharge the main battery ❖Place the computer into Hibernation mode and replace the battery, if applicable, with a charged spare (not included with your computer) ❖Save your work and turn off the computer If you do not manage to do any of these things before the main battery completely runs out of power, the computer automatically enters Hibernation mode and turns itself off. Hibernation mode keeps track of where you were, so that when you turn on the power again, you can continue where you left off. Setting battery notifications You can set two notifications. Each notification can be set to alert you when a specified percentage of remaining battery power has been reached. You can also set the computer to enter Sleep mode or Hibernation mode or to completely shut down when the notification goes off. To change the default notification settings: 1While on the desktop, click or touch the Battery () icon in the notification area. 2Click or touch More power options. The Power Options window appears. 3Click or touch Change plan settings under the power plan to be customized. The Edit Plan Settings window appears.
83Mobile Computing Monitoring battery power 4Click or touch Change advanced power settings. The Advanced settings tab of the Power Options window appears. 5Double-click or touch Battery to display the battery options. (Sample Image) Advanced settings tab of Power Options screen 6Configure the alarm settings to suit your needs. Conserving battery power How long a fully charged battery pack lasts when you are using the computer depends on a number of factors, such as: ❖How the computer is configured ❖How much you use the internal storage drive, optical disc drive, or other optional devices ❖Where you are working, since operating time decreases at low temperatures There are various ways in which you can conserve power and extend the operating time of your battery: ❖Enable Sleep or Hibernation, which saves power when you turn off the computer and turn it back on again ❖Use the Windows ® power-saving option plans
84Mobile Computing Monitoring battery power These power-saving options control the way in which the computer is configured. By using them, you can increase the length of time you can use the computer before you need to recharge the battery. Microsoft ® has combined these options into preset Power Plans. Using one of these power plans lets you choose between maximum power savings and peak system performance. You may also set individual power-saving options to suit your own needs. The following sections describe how to choose a Power Plan and discuss each power-saving option. Power Plans You can choose a predefined Power Plan or select your own combination of power options. To do this: 1While on the desktop, click or touch the Battery () icon in the notification area. 2Click or touch More power options. The Windows ® Power Options window appears. (Sample Image) Windows® Power Options window 3Select an appropriate plan for your work environment or create your own custom plan. 4Click or touch Create a power plan in the left pane to set up a new plan.
85Mobile Computing Using the eco power plan To edit a plan or to edit advanced settings, continue to the following steps. 5Click or touch Change plan settings to choose the plan you want to edit. This screen allows you to change basic settings. 6Click or touch Change advanced power settings to access settings for battery notification levels, internal storage drive power save time, etc. You can click or touch the plus signs to expand each item and to see what settings are available for each item. 7Click or touch OK to save the plan changes you have performed. Depending on your model, the two power plans eco and Balanced are satisfactory for most people and do not need to be edited. The eco plan is the best used for maximum battery time. The Balanced plan is a compromise between battery time and performance. Using the eco power plan This computer is equipped with the eco power plan. Operating the computer with this power plan enabled reduces electrical power consumption by slightly lowering system performance. For example, when this power plan is enabled, the brightness of the display is reduced and the interval before Sleep mode takes effect is shortened. To enable or disable the eco power plan, see “Power Plans” on page 84. The eco Utility ® monitors your power savings from using the eco power plan by tracking real-time power consumption and accumulated savings over time. To learn how to access the utility, see “eco Utility®” on page 105. For more information on the eco power plan, see the Help file in the eco Utility ® window. NOTE
86Mobile Computing Changing the main battery Changing the main battery When your main battery has run out of power, you have two options: plug in the AC adaptor or install a charged battery. If you find that a new battery is needed, contact the location where you purchased the computer for more information on replacing the battery. Toshiba will not be responsible for any product damage, data loss, service, or part replacement made necessary by improper installation of a new battery. If the computer is leaking or its case is cracked, put on protective gloves to handle it. When your main battery has run out of power, you have two options: plug in the AC adaptor or install a charged battery. Never short circuit the battery pack by either accidentally or intentionally bringing the battery terminals in contact with another conductive object. This could cause serious injury or fire, and could also damage the battery pack and computer. Never expose a battery pack to abnormal shock, vibration or pressure. The battery pack's internal protective device could fail, causing it to overheat or ignite, resulting in caustic liquid leakage, or explosion or fire, possibly resulting in death or serious injury. TECHNICAL NOTE: To avoid losing any data, save your files and then either completely shut down your computer or put it into Hibernation mode before changing the battery.
87Mobile Computing Changing the main battery Removing the battery from the computer To remove the battery: 1Save your work. 2Turn off the computer, see “To Shut down your computer” on page 43. 3Unplug and remove any cables connected to the computer, including the AC adaptor. 4Close the display panel and turn the computer upside down. Depending on your model, the battery will either have latches or screws, allowing for the removal of the battery. 5Slide the battery release lock to the unlocked position, or using a small Phillips screwdriver, loosen the screw(s) that secure the battery. (Sample Illustration) Unlocking the battery 6Slide and hold the battery release latch to release the battery, if applicable. 7Pull the discharged battery out of the computer. (Sample Illustration) Removing the battery NOTE Model with latches Model with screwsBattery screws Model with latches Model with screws
88Mobile Computing Changing the main battery If the battery is leaking or its case is cracked, put on protective gloves to handle it, and discard it immediately. Always dispose of used battery packs in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Put insulating tape, such as cellophane tape, on the electrode during transportation to avoid a possible short circuit, fire or electric shock. Failure to do so could possibly result in serious injury. Inserting a charged battery To insert a battery: 1Wipe the terminals of the charged battery with a clean cloth to ensure a good connection. 2Insert the charged battery into the slot until the latch clicks. The battery pack has been designed so that you cannot install it with reverse polarity. If the battery does not slide into the slot easily, move the battery release lock to the unlocked position and try again. Do not force the battery into position. (Sample Illustration) Inserting the battery 3Slide the battery release lock to the locked position (if applicable), or replace the battery and secure it using the screw(s). Model with latches Model with screws
89Mobile Computing Taking care of your battery (Sample Illustration) Locking the battery 4Turn the computer right side up. 5Reconnect any cables that were removed in step 3 of “Removing the battery from the computer” on page 87. 6Restart the computer. Taking care of your battery The following sections offer tips on how to take care of your battery and prolong its life. Safety precautions Always immediately turn the power off and disconnect the power cable/cord plug from the plug socket and stop using the computer if you observe any of the following conditions: ❖Offensive or unusual odor ❖Excessive heat ❖Discoloration ❖Deformation, cracks, or leaks ❖Smoke ❖Other unusual events during use, such as abnormal sound Do not expose the computer to fire. The battery could explode Do not turn on the computer’s power again until an authorized Toshiba service provider has checked it for safety. Continued use could cause a fire or rupture possibly resulting in serious injury or computer failure including but not limited to the loss of data. Model with latches Model with screwsBattery screws
90Mobile Computing Disposing of used batteries Maintaining your battery Fully discharging your battery pack will allow better accuracy of the battery meter. To fully discharge your battery pack: ❖Periodically, disconnect the computer from a power source and operate it on battery power until the battery pack fully discharges. ❖If you have extra battery packs, rotate their use (for models with an accessible battery only). ❖If you will not be using the system for an extended period, more than one month, remove the battery pack (for models with an accessible battery only). ❖Store spare battery packs in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight (for models with an accessible battery only). Disposing of used batteries The life of a battery pack depends on usage. When the battery pack needs replacing, the battery light flashes amber shortly after you have fully recharged the battery. You must discard a battery if it becomes damaged. Never attempt to dispose of a computer by burning or by throwing it into a fire, and never allow exposure to a heating apparatus (e.g., microwave oven). Heat can cause a computer to explode and/or release caustic liquid, both which may possibly cause serious injury. Always dispose of used battery packs in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Put insulating tape, such as cellophane tape, on the electrode during transportation to avoid a possible short circuit, fire or electric shock. Failure to do so could possibly result in serious injury.