Got a Laptop, Questions

swizzle_2

Hi

Just picked up my Hewlett Packard 510, openned the box and managed to put the battery in and all wires to charge up battery.

But how long should it take to charge in full? Also is it safe to leave it for longer?- need to go out.

When I am using it at home, do I keep battery in and use plugged in or take battery out?


Also it talks about making some recovery disks before I start installing software etc- how many disks should this take- have some on order. Can I do this later?- it says you can only do it once.

I have also bought a wirless router-but think I best take it 1 step at a time!!

Thank you in advance

cledor

You should follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to charge the battery for the first time, usually they say charge it for a number of hours.

I personally always disconnnect the charger overnight or whilst away. As for during usage it is best to leave it connected to the mains for most of the time, assuming you do take it away and use it on battery power a few times a week, this will maintain a reasonable charge / discharge cycle.

You can make the recovery disk anytime, if you're only setting up the laptop and have no important data stored yet then you can leave this task till later.

Quasar

I have three laptops, the latest being and HP. My oldest is a Packard Bell and the other a Toshiba.

In all three cases, once I set it up I always keep it connected to power when I'm home, and use it as I would an ordinary desktop. I never remove the battery and so it is always fully charged. I have had laptops only now for 7 years and never had battery/power problems.

swizzle_2

Ok, got it up and running!

But it says it`s picking up a wirless network-must be the neighbours? Is it safe to use it/legal or should I block it and set up my own?

Thank you

albertross_2

It's not legal, not secure, not neighbourly, and possibly not safe.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=2471408&postcount=37

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=2471410&postcount=38

choccyface2006

Its not very likely that you would be able to connect anyway, unless they are complete dipsticks and have left it unsecured.

Set up your own and make sure its secure.

Sarah

cledor

choccyface2006 wrote: »

Its not very likely that you would be able to connect anyway, unless they are complete dipsticks and have left it unsecured.

Set up your own and make sure its secure.

Sarah

You'd be surprised at how many non-secure networks there are, people just don't seem to bother.