Step Charging the Notebook battery

The details below are applicable for the Toshiba notebook models,

Portege All, Qosmio All, Satellite All, Satellite Pro All, Tecra All, Libretto All.

Batteries don't last forever. All types of batteries gradually lose their ability to hold an electrical charge as they age. Eventually, the computer's battery charge indicator may show that the battery contains less than a full charge, even though the battery has just been fully charged. The computer will then not run for as long a time from the battery as when the battery was brand new.

You may prefer to simply replace the battery if this happens, but you may also wish to try 'step-charging' the existing battery per the following instructions.

This procedure should work for the battery in any Toshiba notebook. Follow it only when you find that the computer will run from the battery for just a short while.

Check the User's Guide for more specific information about charging the battery in your computer .

Step-charging the computer's battery

1. Unplug the AC adapter from the computer, and turn ithe computer on. Let the computer run from battery power until the computer turns off, indicating that the battery is fully discharged. Time this interval, but not with a software clock running on the same computer.
   
2. Remove the battery pack from the computer.
   
3. Unplug the AC adapter from the computer.
   
4. Wait at least 30 seconds. The first time through this procedure, use a soft cloth to wipe the battery pack's contacts and the AC adapter's plug.
   
5. Re-insert the battery pack.
   
6. Plug into the AC adapter into the computer again and check the fit of its plug in the wall outlet, making sure the connection is secure.
   
7. With the computer turned off, let the battery charge until the battery status light or icon glows green, or otherwise indicates a full charge.
   
8. Unplug the AC adapter from the computer.
   
9. Remove the battery.
   
10. Wait at least 30 seconds, then re-insert the battery.
    
11. Plug the AC adapter back into the computer.
    
12. Let the battery charge again until the battery status light turns green or otherwise indicates a full charge, again.

Repeat this procedure, starting from step 1, at least three times. Each time, check to see if the computer runs longer from its battery than the previous time.

Details as an excerpt from Toshiba Document Number 94000003, released 19/08/1996 and last updated on 12/01/2005