The batteries in a laptop will not have to be replaced often, if they receive proper maintenance. Most users will plug in the power cord when their batteries are running low, but they do not remove and check the laptop battery until it goes dead. When you take care of your laptop, cords and battery, you will be able to prolong the life of your computer hardware. When you first buy a laptop or any electronic device that needs to be charged before you can use it, always charge it to full capacity. A laptop will work with only a small bit of power, but if it is not fully charged frequently, it will start to lose its ability to hold a charge. Programs that are left open will use system resources and power that are needed for other software. If you only have a few programs open at the same time, the laptop will use less power and it will be able to stay on battery power longer. Batteries can be discharged in a similar fashion. Go into the power management option and turn off all of the power saving tools including hibernation, sleep mode and the screen saver. Allow the battery to drain completely until the laptop shuts itself off. Without turning on the laptop, reconnect the power cord and allow it to charge until the battery is full. Writer Bio
