Solving Problems with Your Computer
Troubleshooting Techniques
Reference Guide 111
Power and battery problems
If the computer turns off immediately after it turns on
= Battery power is probably extremely low. Plug in the AC adapter or insert a newly
charged battery.
If the computer keeps beeping
= The computer beeps for 15 seconds when the battery is low. Save your work, shut
down Windows immediately, and insert a charged battery or plug in the AC adapter.
If the computer has a short operating time
= Try conserving power by setting power timeouts to shorter periods. In Windows, you
can adjust these settings in the Power Management (or Power Options) Properties
window in Control Panel.
= If you are running any applications with an automatic save feature, such as MS Word
for Windows, you can extend the save time or disable this feature to reduce hard disk
access.
= If the operating time has become shorter and the battery is more than a year or two
old, you may need to replace the battery.
= Set the display brightness to the lowest comfortable level.
= Heavy modem use can affect battery operating time.
= PC card use can affect battery operating time.
If the battery doesn’t charge
= Make sure the AC adapter is plugged into the power source and that the light on the
adapter is on.
= If you're using a power strip, remove the AC adapter from the power strip and plug it
directly into a wall outlet.
= Check that the battery is fully installed and locked in place.
= Turn off the computer, then check that the battery contacts are clean and that the AC
adapter cables are fully plugged in.
= Move the computer away from any nearby heat source. Unplug the AC adapter and
allow the battery to cool down. An elevated battery temperature prevents charging.
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