Lenovo ThinkPad 470, User Manual, Page: 42 / 176

Checking the battery status
Move your pointer to the battery-status icon in the Windows notification area to check the battery status.
The battery-status icon displays the percentage of battery power remaining and how long you can use
your computer before you must charge the battery.
The rate at which you use battery power determines how long you can use the battery of your computer
between charges. Because every computer user has individual habits and needs, it is difficult to predict how
long a battery charge lasts. There are two main factors:
• How much energy is stored in the battery when you begin to work
• The way you use your computer, for example:
– How often you access the storage drive
– How bright you make the computer display
– How often you use the wireless feature
Enabling the battery alarm on the Windows 7 operating system
For the Windows 7 operating system, you can configure your computer so that when the battery power falls
below a certain level, three events occur: the alarm goes off, a message is displayed, and the computer
display is turned off.
To enable the battery alarm, do the following:
1. Start the Power Manager program. See “Accessing Lenovo programs” on page 12.
2. Click the Global Power Settings tab.
3. For Low battery alarm or Critically low battery alarm , set the percentage of the power level and set
the action.
Note: If your computer enters sleep or hibernation mode when the battery power is low without the alarm
message, the message is displayed when the computer resumes. To resume normal operation, click OK
when the message is displayed.
Charging the battery
When you find that the remaining battery power is low, charge your battery or replace the battery with a
charged battery.
If an ac outlet is convenient, connect the computer to ac power. The battery is fully charged in about
four to eight hours. The actual charging time depends on the battery size, the physical environment, and
whether you are using the computer. You can check the battery charging status at any time through the
battery-status icon in the Windows notification area.
Note: To maximize the life of the battery, the computer does not start recharging the battery if the remaining
power is greater than 95%.
Tips on charging the battery
• Before you charge the battery, ensure that the battery temperature is lower than 10°C (50°F).
• Charge the battery in any of the following conditions:
– A new battery is installed.
– The percentage of power remaining is low.
– The battery has not been used for a long time.
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T470 User Guide