Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference
In this chapter, you will learn how to operate your notebook on battery power, how
to handle and maintain the battery pack, and learn about the system’s power saving
features.
The TFT display, central processor, and hard disk drive are the major hardware
subsystems that consume the most power. Power management deals with how these
key components should behave to conserve power. For example, you can have the
system turn off its display after 2 minutes of inactivity to save power. Efficient power
management can help you work longer sessions before having to recharge the battery.
The Battery Pack
Lithium-Ion Battery
Your notebook uses a six-cell Lithium-Ion battery pack that provides power when you
don’t have access to an AC outlet.
Note: It is necessary that you charge the battery pack for at least 6 hours before using
it for the first time.
Note: In the Standby Suspend mode, a fully charged battery loses its power in roughly
1/2 a day or less. When not being used, the battery’s power will deplete in 1-2
months.
Battery Low-Power Warning
1. Low Battery Warning
Low battery conditions occur when the battery power is reduced to 6%. The red battery
status LED indicator blinks and the system beeps once every 16 seconds or so.
. Very Low Battery Warning
Very Low battery conditions occur when the power is reduced to 3%. The red battery
status LED indicator blinks and the system beeps at 4-second intervals.
When your notebook warns you of its low battery condition, you will have about 3-5
minutes to save your current work.
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