© The Master Shake Signal (Flickr) my new laptop
© The Master Shake Signal (Flickr)
Purchase a new battery
Purchase the new laptop battery from the Dell online website. You can also purchase it at a retail store that carries Dell computer parts. Make sure you are purchasing the correct battery for the Dell laptop model you own. Open the battery and place it nearby.
Turn off the laptop
Close any programs you have open power off your laptop. Click Start, the arrow to the right of Shutdown, and then click Turn Off Computer. Remove the power cable from the back of the laptop if the laptop is plugged in. Powering off the laptop is not required,as this is just for precaution.
Remove old battery and insert new one
Make sure you work in a dust free dry area. You may want to lay the laptop on a soft cloth to prevent scratching. Turn the laptop over and locate the battery. Slide the latch to the release position and pull the battery out.
There may be a symbol of a battery on the back of the laptop where the battery is located. Take the new battery and put it in place. It should go in the way the old one came out. You should hear it pop back in place.
Turn the laptop on
Plug the AC adapter into the laptop and the other into a wall outlet. Turn the laptop on and allow the battery to fully charge. If you want to check the status of the new battery, double-click the icon in the system tray (by the clock). This icon is shaped like a battery.
It may take over an hour to completely charge the new battery. If you do not see a battery icon in the system tray, or are getting a battery error message, check that the new battery is inserted correctly, and is completely locked in place.
When the battery is fully charged, remove it from the power source. If you are using the battery, you should not plug in the laptop as this leaves the battery in constant charging and reduces its life.