Battery check

Battery check
Mac Tip #260/13-Sept-2006

I use a Mac laptop, a MacBook Pro. In the last few days I’ve had a few problems with the power cord. The power cord will be replaced under warranty, but in the meantime I need to keep a close eye on battery levels.

Unfortunately the battery indicator in the menu bar occasionally gets ‘stuck’ and tells me the machine is out of juice when it clearly isn’t, or that it’s 90% charged, even after I’ve run it on battery for an hour or two. I suspect these glitches are related to the currently erratic power supply.

The good thing is that on Mac laptops for years now, you’ve been able to check the battery level by using a button on the battery itself. Turn over your laptop and locate the battery.

Now look for a small flat button on the surface of the battery and press it. You should see a few lights beside the button. On my MacBook Pro there are five.

If your laptop battery is fully charged all the lights will shine green when you press the check button. The lower the charge the fewer lights will shine.

These older MacTips may be of interest, if you have a Mac laptop:

• Mac Tip #68/21-Aug-2002, Power to your Mac
• Mac Tip #98/23-April-2003, Looking after a Laptop

Next week: how to put a battery indicator in the Menu bar.