How to Charge the Battery in a Compaq Notebook

Compaq's line of notebook computers runs on rechargeable batteries, so you're free to take your work and entertainment with you anywhere. Like other battery-powered devices, though, Compaq notebooks must be charged to maintain an adequate power level. If you do not charge your notebook regularly, its battery may die while you are using it. You'll also need to charge the battery for several hours if it is new and unused. When you purchase your Compaq notebook, you are supplied with the equipment needed to charge it.

Instructions

General Recharging

1. Power off the Compaq notebook if you want the battery to charge quickly. The battery can charge while you're using the notebook, but it charges faster if you turn the notebook off.

2. Plug the small end of the included AC adapter into the appropriate jack on the side of the notebook.

3. Connect the large end of the AC adapter to an electric outlet. The Compaq notebook begins charging immediately.

4. Observe the battery light on the front of the notebook. If the light is steady, the battery is charging. When the light is not lit, the battery is finished charging. The notebook is ready for removal from the charger. This light also alerts you to low battery states by blinking when the notebook is off the charger.

Calibration

1. Calibrate the battery if you haven't used the notebook for over a month, or if the battery isn't performing well. To begin, fully charge the battery as in the previous section.

2. Turn on the notebook. Click on the battery meter icon, located in the notification tray. Click on "More power options."

3. Click "Change plan settings." Write down the settings listed under "Put the computer to sleep" and "Turn off the display." Change both of these settings to "Never."

4. Click on "Change advanced power settings," and then click on the "Plus" icon next to the "Sleep" and "Hibernate after" options. Write down the settings for "On battery," found under "Hibernate after." Change the setting to "Never." Click on "OK" and "Save changes."

5. Allow the battery to discharge fully, to the point where the notebook must power itself down, and then charge it completely. Power on the notebook. Click the battery meter and "Power Options." Click "Change plan settings" and then "Restore default settings for this plan." You are prompted to enter the settings you wrote down previously. This completes the battery recalibration.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also charge the notebook via optional accessories, such as a docking device or expansion product.

References

• HP: Compaq Presario Power Management User Guide (PDF)