Dell Latitude L400 - Manual (Page 9)

When you activate standby mode (known as suspend in Microsoft ® Windows NT®), the computer can remain in standby mode on battery power
for approximately one week (if the battery was fully charged before activating suspend or standby mode).
If you are going to store the computer, disconnect all devices and turn off the computer. Remove the battery when you store your computer for an
extended period of time. A battery will drain when not in use during prolonged storage. After a long storage period, recharge the battery fully before
you attempt to run your computer from battery power.
Charging the Battery
Each time you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery in a computer that is connected to an electrical outlet, the computer
checks the battery's charge. The AC adapter charges the battery (if needed) and then maintains the battery's charge.
The battery status indicator (see Figure 1 ) normally turns green while the battery is charging and then flashes green when the charge cycle is
complete. It takes about 1.5 hours to completely charge the battery, whether the computer is turned on or off.
Figure 1. Battery Status Indicator
Charging a Hot Battery
If your battery is hot from being used in your computer or being in a hot environment, take note of the following precautions:
l A hot battery will not charge when you connect the AC adapter to the computer. This safety feature is important because charging a hot
battery shortens the battery
’s life span and may damage the battery and the computer.
l If the computer is not allowed to return to room temperature, the battery stops charging before it reaches its full capacity.
Replacing the Battery
To replace a battery in the battery bay (see Figure 2 ), perform the following steps .
1. If the computer is docked, undock it. (See the documentation that came with your docking device.)
NOTICE: If you choose to replace the battery with the computer in suspend (or standby) mode, you have up to 2 minutes to complete
the battery replacement.
2. Connect the computer to an electrical outlet and then preserve your data by placing the computer in standby (or suspend) mode.
Press <Fn><Esc> (or <Scroll Lock><Esc> on an external keyboard if the External Hot Key option is enabled in the
system setup program ).
NOTE: To extend battery life, store batteries at room temperature.
NOTE: For maximum battery performance, charge the battery only at room temperature.
1 Battery status indicator
NOTE: You can leave the battery in the computer as long as you like. The battery's integrated circuitry prevents the battery from
overcharging.
NOTES: If necessary, print these instructions for reference before proceeding.
Dell recommends that you turn the computer off before replacing the battery.
If you want to replace the battery while the computer is running, you must first connect the computer to an electrical outlet or enter
standby (or suspend ) mode or hibernate (S2D) (or suspend-to-disk [S2D] ) mode. You cannot replace the battery while the computer is
running on battery power.