Frequently Asked Questions
Q? Why didn't my new notebook computer start up from the battery when I first took it out of the box?
This is a normal consequence of the battery being in need of a fresh charge. Generally, for best results, plug in the computer and allow it to charge the Main Battery for about 24 hours, but see your User's Guide for more specific information related to your model.
Note: New batteries may need to be charged and completely discharged two to four times in order for them to reach their full capacity.
Q? My Power Meter shows 100% and my battery light is green, indicating that my battery is fully charged, but it doesn't run for very long. Why?
This can occur if the
1. Charge Main Battery for 4 hours or until the battery light changes from amber to green. Note: If the computer's battery light doesn't come on within a few moments after being plugged in, check all of your power connections and make sure that the Main Battery is fully inserted into its slot.
2. Remove Main battery for 30-45 seconds and then put it back into the computer.
The battery should now resume normal charging, and when the battery LED turns green this time, the Main Battery and Power Meter should be in sync.
Note! The Satellite 1605, 1625, 1675, 1695 models require the unit to be turned off to charge the Main Battery.
Q? Is the battery charging at all times?
The Main battery will always charge more quickly when the computer is plugged in and turned off, though in most Toshiba models the battery will also be charged when the computer is plugged in and turned on.
Exceptions: The Satellite 1605, 1625, 1675, 1695 models only charge when the unit is powered off!
Q? Why does my battery gauge seem to drop several percentage points at a time?
Q? Why does the battery gauge on my notebook drop sometimes but seem to rise at others?
The computer's battery gauge can automatically adjust itself up and down depending on what it calculates to be the battery life at the time of a particular reading and adjustment. For example, you may be running on AC power with the battery gauge displaying 90%. Once the computer is unplugged, the battery life will be recalculated, causing the gauge to show a drop of as much as 70%, depending on the power settings. However, if you have left the computer on but unused for a while, the battery gauge may display 60%, but when the CPU and HDD enter battery save mode, the battery gauge may display a gain in battery life.
Q? Why does my battery life appear to be less that when it was new? / Why isn't my Main
All batteries, of every type, are consumable products. They are able to store and deliver electrical power for some period of time, often a few years, before they need to be replaced. Additionally, Nickel Cadmium and Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are subject to a "memory effect" condition which causes them to accept only as much energy (charge) as has recently been withdrawn from them -- repeatedly partially discharging them will cause them to "forget" their complete capacity.
Q? How do you prevent the "memory effect" with Ni-Cad and Ni-MH batteries?
Toshiba recommends that you fully discharge, and then recharge, your battery on a regular basis. When the battery is fully charged, unplug the AC Adapter and run the computer until it shuts itself off.
Q? Can the "memory effect" be eliminated?
Yes, in most cases the memory effect can be reversed unless of course the battery is either damaged or is simply nearing the end of its life. The following indicates what can be done for each type of rechargeable battery.
Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)
Li-Ion batteries to not exhibit the memory effect. Replace the battery if it does not charge correctly. Li-Ion
Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery conditioning
The memory effect with Ni-MH batteries can sometimes be reversed a bit by a conditioning procedure, as follows:
Before you start: Turn off your battery saving features temporarily.
Repeat the following steps 2-3 times.
- Unplug the AC adapter from the computer
- Turn the computer on and let it run until it shuts itself off.
Note: Playing an audio CD will quicken the discharge. - Charge the battery until the battery light changes from amber to green.
- Remove the battery for 30 seconds and then re-insert it.
Note: If the battery light isn't lit, wait a few moments, if it still does not light, check your power connections. - Continue charging the battery until the battery light turns green once again.
If the Ni-MH battery will still accept only a partial charge, replace it.
Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd):
The memory effect with Ni-Cd batteries can sometimes be reversed by using a procedure called step charging. Step charging is very similar to the process used for Ni-MH batteries, however it involves several more full charges and full discharges. Each time a charging cycle is completed another fractional portion of the battery capacity is recovered. Repeat the following procedure until you no longer notice an increase in discharge times.
Before you start: Turn off your battery saving features temporarily.
- Unplug the power cord from the computer
- Turn the computer on and let it run until it shuts itself off. Time this if possible.
Note: Playing an audio CD will quicken the discharge. - Charge the battery until the battery light changes from amber to green.
- Remove the battery for 30 seconds and then re-insert it.
Note: If the battery light isn't lit, wait a few moments, if it still does not light check your power connections. - Continue charging the battery until the battery light turns green once again.
Note: This process may take several (5-8) cycles, however, if you have NOT noticed any increase in the battery discharging times after 2-3 cycles you should replace the battery.
Q? What is "stand loss"?
"Stand loss" is a term used to describe the "amount of charge" a fully charged battery will lose per day when the battery is left in an unplugged but powered off computer or when the battery is charged and then removed from the computer and allowed to discharge on it's own.
Note: The following table shows typical stand loss times.
| | in unplugged computer | out of computer |
| Lithium Ion | 5%-10% loss per day | 1-2% loss per day |
| Nickel Metal Hydride | 20-25% loss per day | 10-15% loss per day |
| Nickel Cadmium | 20% loss per day | 5% loss per day |
Example: 20% per day means that the battery will be fully-discharged after about after 5 days.
Q? How long should my computer's batteries last? What is the life cycle of a battery?
Under normal conditions, the life of a rechargeable battery is designed to last 500 to 800 charging cycles
Q? What is the charging cycle for a battery?
Toshiba portable computers will sense when a battery charge is complete (full charged). When this occurs with Toshiba portables the charging circuit will turn off, the battery light will change to green and the computer's Power Meter will display 100% or Full. If the computer does not sense that the battery is fully charged (Power Meter less than 100%) then the computer will begin charging as soon as the computer is plugged in. With this in mind, the battery loses a full charging cycle each time charging begins, whether it is doing a full charge or just a partial charge.
Notes: A decrease in the battery's running time generally indicates that the battery is in need of replacement.
Q? What can be done to make my battery run and last longer?
FULLY DISCHARGE AND CHARGE YOUR
When you use your batteries, you should cycle your battery from a fully charged to a fully discharged state as often as possible. With a fully charged battery, disconnect AC power and let the computer run until it turns itself off..
DO NOT OVERCHARGE THE
Disconnecting and reconnecting your computer to AC power frequently, without significantly discharging the battery can cause overcharging.
DO NOT OVER-DISCHARGE THE
Your computer consumes battery power even when it is turned off. If you do not use your computer for more than a week at a time, remove the battery from the unit.
USE THE CORRECT AC ADAPTER FOR YOUR COMPUTER
AC adapters are specific to each Toshiba portable. Always verify that you are using the correct AC adapter for your computer. The computer's input voltage MUST match the AC adapters output voltage.
Toshiba computers have a silver product label on the bottom that displays the exact voltage and amperage required for the computer (for example, "DC15V3.0A", which means 15 volts DC (direct current), at 3.0 amps.
Each Toshiba AC Adapter also displays it's output voltage and amperage capacity (for example, "DC15V3.0A").
IMPORTANT - VOLTAGE AND AMPERAGE MUST MATCH
If the AC adapter's voltage and/or amperage is too low
- The computer may not run properly
- The batteries may not be fully-charged, causing operating time to be dramatically reduced
- Battery charging time may be dramatically increased
- Battery charging may not occur at all
If the AC adapter's voltage and/or amperage is too high
- The computer may be damaged
- The batteries may be damaged
USE YOUR COMPUTER'S BATTERY SAVING FEATURES
Toshiba portables offer several ways to conserve battery life: Hibernate, Standby mode, Power Mode in the Control Panel, TSETUP, and on older models TAP or Maxtime. The amount of time a portable computer will run from its battery can be increased by simply decreasing the screen brightness or the speed in which the processor runs or for how long the hard drive runs when applications are not using them.
TURN OFF APPLICATIONS THAT WASTE
Auto Insert Notification is a Windows 95, 98 feature which forces the CD-ROM drive to turn on and off automatically every so often. Turning this feature off (Control Panel > System > Device Manager) will save some battery power.
Consider turning off (of reducing the frequency of) the Auto Save feature in applications like Microsoft Word. This feature automatically saves your open document at regular internals, at the cost of the energy it takes to wake up the CPU and spin up the hard disk drive.
Remove any PC Cards that are not in use.
DO NOT EXPOSE THE
Permanent damage will result if the battery is exposed to temperatures above 110F or 43C. A battery left in a car in the hot summer sun can easily be damaged in this way.
Q? How do I dispose of old or bad batteries?
Rechargeable batteries can usually be recycled. To find out more about recycling or disposing of batteries check with your local Toshiba Reseller or Support Centre.
Details as an excerpt from Toshiba Document Number 98080633, released
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