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    A question about the battery (DELL E1505/6400)

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Ryker, Oct 21, 2007.

  1. Ryker

    Ryker Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi, so my "problem" is as following. I have a Dell Inspiron 6400 and when I'm using it, plugged in AC Power, the light that indicates whether the battery is charging or not, blinks from time to time (every 10 or so seconds). Since the light is only on when the battery is charging, I was thinking the blinking is caused by the batter always being charged, when it drops even the slightest bit from being totally full. Am I correct in this assumption or not? Can any other users, that have the same notebook, confirm that perhaps they have the same problem (if it is a problem to begin with), that the light is blinking? Or is it OK, that it blinks from time to time?

    Anyway, so I was wondering, if it's possible to somehow set that the battery should only start charging, when it drops below, say, 95%? I'm using Vista and I have installed Dell's QuickSet, as well, and I can't find that option anywhere.

    I have also thought, whether it'd be best to just take the battery out and leave it stored, being 40% full? However, here I'd like to know, whether it's OK to do that, since I have only discharged it and charged it a couple of times (and therefore, it probably hasn't yet reached it's potential, concerning battery life) or should I run it a couple more cycles, so it's at it's optimum state and then leave it stored?

    A lot of questions, I know, but if someone knows the answers (especially for my first questions), I'd be very grateful :)
     
  2. Matt is Pro

    Matt is Pro I'm a PC, so?

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    When the battery is charging, the battery indicator on the system stays lit, but when it hits a certain charge percentage, maybe 90% or 95% or something, it blinks, indicating that it is almost fully charged and ready for full battery usage.

    Also, if you have the power adapter plugged in and the battery is fully charged, the battery indicator will not be lit, or blink. That's in my case atleast.
     
  3. Ryker

    Ryker Notebook Enthusiast

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    Oh damn, yeah, I was watching the wrong light, now when I look at it, it only seems to blink as a "reflection" of the light beside it. OK, the second and third questions (paragraphs) still stand, though :)