ThinkPad 390X Online User's Guide

Using the Battery Pack

This section describes how to charge your battery pack and display its status.

Charging the Battery Pack

You can charge the battery pack when the AC Adapter is connected to the computer and the battery pack is installed. You need to charge the battery pack in any of the following conditions:

When you purchase a new battery pack
If the battery status indicator starts blinking
If the battery pack has not been used for a long time

Note:

Before you charge the battery pack, ensure that its temperature is at least 10°C (50°F). If the battery pack has not been used for a long time, it will not be fully charged with only a single charging. You will have to completely discharge it; then recharge it three to six times to maximize battery operating time.

Monitoring the Battery Status

You can monitor the battery status through the battery status indicator and the Fuel-Gauge program.

Using the Battery Status Indicator

The battery status indicator shows the current status of the battery pack (only when the battery is installed).

Compare the battery status indicator with the following table to determine the condition of your battery.

Status	Condition
Green	Enough power remains for operation.
Orange	The battery pack is being charged.
Blinking orange	The battery pack needs charging. If the indicator starts blinking orange, the computer beeps three times.
Off	The battery pack is not installed. The computer is turned off or is in suspend or hibernation mode when the AC Adapter is not connected.

Attention: You should take corrective actions when the battery status indicator is blinking orange, and your computer sounds three consecutive beeps. (If your computer enters suspend mode because of a low-battery condition, data in memory might be lost.)

Immediately connect the AC Adapter to the computer.

Then take either of the following actions:

To continue your work with the AC Adapter, press the Fn key.
or:
To continue your work with a fully charged battery pack, do the following:
1. Replace the battery pack with a fully charged one. (See the User's Reference).
2. Press the Fn key.
3. Disconnect the AC Adapter from the computer.

If you do not take corrective actions within 30 seconds, the computer will enter suspend mode.

Do not leave the computer in this condition for an extended time. Data in memory will be lost.

Using the Fuel-Gauge Program

You can use the Fuel-Gauge program to display the battery status and power mode (Maximum Performance, Maximum Battery Life, or Customized). You can also select suspend or hibernation mode.

Note:

The Fuel-Gauge Program is available only on Windows 98, Windows 95 and Windows NT.

To start the Fuel-Gauge program, click Start, Programs, ThinkPad, then click Fuel-Gauge. The following window appears:

Note:

The "Current Power Mode" icon depends on the power mode. The "Power Source" icon depends on the power source. ( is for AC Adapter and is for battery pack.)

You can minimize the window to an icon on the taskbar by clicking on the icon at the top of the window (double-click on the Fuel-Gauge icon on the taskbar to maximize it again). You can also toggle between the Fuel-Gauge windows and the icon by pressing the Fn+F2 key combination.