Easy Ways to Cut Computer Noise

1. Move the PC
First, try a simple solution. If your system is sitting on the desk next to you, move it onto the floor (assuming that its case is designed to sit vertically rather than horizontally). The vibration from the PC often sets up a sympathetic vibration with the desk surface, turning the case into a soundboard. Moving the computer under your desk can eliminate this problem.
You'll get the best results if the PC sits on a carpeted surface. If you have a tile or hardwood floor, try putting the system on a carpet scrap or a piece of packing foam. For a really "far out" solution, purchase keyboard, mouse, and monitor extension cables (available from any computer dealer) and move the PC farther away. This will, of course, make the CD or DVD drives harder to access.
2. Tighten up to reduce rattling
Sometimes, the biggest contributor of PC noise isn't so much the direct sound of fans and motors as it is the vibration of PC components. It can be as annoying as a rattle somewhere in your car. You can often solve these problems by unplugging your PC, removing its cover, and methodically tightening the mounting screws of parts such as the power supply, drives, motherboard, and cooling fans. Be careful, though: Overtightening screws is worse than leaving them too loose, since you could damage components. Some noise-reduction kits include screws with polymer or rubber washers to reduce vibrations further.
3. Install gaskets

Inexpensive polymer gasket kits can isolate vibrating fans and parts from the case, reducing noise. NoiseMagic's No-Vibes hard-drive suspension kit can do the same for your hard drives.
4. Install heat-sensitive case fans
Because of the heat generated by fast processors and other components, almost all PC cases have one or more fans dedicated to exhausting heat. The inexpensive fans that many manufacturers use can be noisy, but fans don't always have to work at full speed, since a PC produces much less heat when it's idling.
Thermostatically CPU fan use temperature sensors that slow the fans down when the internal case temperature drops.
Alternatively, some manufacturers supply single-speed fans that are designed to be quiet. Installing them is usually simple, though you may need to remove drives or add-in boards to take out the old fan and insert the new one. Note whether the fan power is connected on the motherboard or to a power-supply connector. If your new fan has an external temperature sensor, follow the manufacturer's directions to place the sensor in the optimum location.
5. Upgrade to a quiet power supply
Your computer's power supply may be one of the primary sources of noise. Many rely on two built-in fans to move large amounts of air. Switching to a power supply that is designed to be quiet can dramatically reduce your PC's overall noise level. Designs vary, but most units simply employ larger fans that can turn more slowly while delivering the same amount of cooling air. Some also use thermostatic controls to slow down or speed up the fans depending on the case temperature. For instructions on upgrading your power supply, see "Keep It Powered, Keep It Cool". Be sure to buy a power supply that has sufficient wattage to handle all of your PC's components.
6. Install a new CPU fan
Today's processors run very hot--often from 145 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. At these temperatures, effective and continuous cooling is essential. In fact, an uncooled CPU can grow hot enough to damage itself in a matter of seconds. The CPU heat sink and fan that came with your PC are probably louder than you realize. You can lower the noise by installing a specially designed CPU fan. Most coolers include a larger, more efficient heat sink that can be paired with a much quieter fan. Buy a cooler that's designed for your processor, and follow the manufacturer's directions for installing it.

How to Reduce Computer Fan Noise

Instructions  Preparation

1.Save your work before closing programs that you are using on the computer. Shut down your computer before you begin cleaning dust from inside the CPU fan.

2.Observe the location of each device that is connected to the computer. Unplug each device from the computer, including the monitor, power cord and every peripheral device connected to the computer.

3.Move each disconnected peripheral device away from the work area. During the cleaning process, there will be dust flying, and it could get inside the peripheral devices and compromise the quality of performance.

4.Use an appropriate screwdriver. Remove the screws holding the top or side of the case in place. Set the case away from the work area to avoid flying dust particles collecting on it.

5.Gather the cleaning supplies near the work area. Gathering the cleaning supplies near the work area can save a significant amount of time because you don't have to keep going to another room to gather supplies.

Remove Dust from the Fans

6.Use a cotton swab. Remove as much caked-on dust from the fan blades of the CPU fan and the power supply fan with a cotton swab as you can. Caked-on dust is hard to remove with a can of compressed air.

7.Attach the spray nozzle to the can of compressed air. Be sure to hold the can of compressed air straight up. Make gentle sweeps across the blades of the CPU fan and power-supply fan to remove loose dust and cobwebs. Blow the dust to one empty corner of the computer where there are no devices connected.

8.Check for dust in other inside areas of the computer case such as on top of memory sticks and network cards, graphics cards and ports. If there is a significant amount of dust in other areas of the computer case, repeat the dusting process to blow the dust to one corner of the inside of the computer.

9.Use a vacuum cleaner crevice tool. Gently vacuum the dust from the corner of the inside of the computer case with a gentle sweeping motion.

10.Replace the top of the case. Be sure to tighten the screws snugly. Tightening the screws loosely leaves the case open to further dust buildup in the future.

11.Reconnect the peripheral devices and the power cord. Boot the computer normally and verify every device is in working order.

How To Troubleshoot a Noisy Computer Fan

1.Clean the CPU fan.

2.Clean the power supply fan.

3.If the noise persists and can be narrowed down to the CPU fan, replace the CPU fan.

4.If the noise persists and can be narrowed down to the fan inside of the power supply, replace the power supply.

Note: Due to safety concerns, it is never recommended to open the power supply and replace only the fan. I always recommend that the entire power supply be replaced instead.

5.Many fans in perfect working order will simply get louder as the system gets hotter. In this case, it may be necessary to move your PC to a cooler area.

6.If moving the PC is not an option, you may need to invest in more powerful CPU fan or in a more advanced cooling system like liquid cooling.

How to remove a computer CPU fan

Removing a computer processor fan from the computer is a relatively simple process and may be necessary to clean the fan or to replace a bad or noisy fan. Below, are the steps required for removing most computer processor heat sink fans.
Caution: While inside the computer, make sure it's off and that you're familiar with ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD) and its potential dangers.

Removing any covering
Before removing the heatsink from the processor make sure the processor is visible. If any duct or ventilation system is above the CPU it must be removed fist. In the below picture, is an example of a processor duct system in an OEM Dell XPS computer. The CPU fan for this computer's processor and the duct will not be visible until this is removed from the computer.
In the case of this computer, the duct system can be removed by pressing in on the clips and pulling the duct away from the case and the processor. After the duct has been removed the computer processor and the heat sink should be visible.

Disconnect the fan
Before disconnecting the heat sink fan from the computer it must be disconnected from the motherboard or its power source. A two, three, or four pin power cable should be connecting the fan to the computer motherboard. Locate where this cable is connected and disconnect it by grabbing on the connector end and pulling up on the connector.
Caution: If the connector is accessible, do not pull the wire by the cable. Instead, disconnect the cable by pulling on the connector end. Pulling on the wires may loosen them from the connector.

Unclip the heat sink from the processor
After the wire fan has been disconnected from the computer locate the clip holding the fan to the processor. In the picture to the right, is an example of what this clip may look like. In this example, inserting a screw driver into the small hole and gently pressing down and away from the processor will unlatch the heat sink.
Tip: With some computers the fan may also be screwed into the heat sink. If you see screws on the heat sink and you only wish to remove the CPU fan, unscrew any screws and disconnect the fan instead of unlatching the heatsink. All of the below steps can be skipped if the fan was able to be removed this way.
After the clip holding the heat sink in place has been unlatched the heat sink can be pulled away from the processor.
Caution: Do not pull hard, the heat sink should be able to be removed with very little upward force. In some situations the Thermal compound or thermal pad that allows the heat to be transferred to the heat sink may have a strong hold preventing the heat sink from being removed from the processor. This can almost always be overcome by gently twisting the heat sink while pulling up.

How to Troubleshoot a CPU Fan

As you use your computer, the hard drive and other devices in the computers central processing unit (CPU) can heat up and cause your computer to run very slow or even stop completely. To prevent this, a fan has been installed in your CPU, and is vented out the back of the case for your desktop computer. This allows the interior hardware to remain cool and continue working normally. Regular inspection and troubleshooting of your CPU fan will keep your computer running and may even extend the life of your system.

1.Check the location of your CPU to verify that the back of the case is not up against a wall or being covered up by and loose materials. If needed, relocate your computer to an area where it can vent out the back of the CPU properly.

2.Turn the computer off and remove the case from the CPU by undoing the screws in the back of the unit with a screwdriver. Slide the case forward and remove it from the CPU base.

3.Locate the CPU fan on the inside of the unit near the back and check for any dust or debris around the fan. Use a can of compressed air to remove the dust from around the fan. Check the back of the unit where the air is vented out for any signs of dust build up as well and use the compressed air to clean it away.

4.Follow the electrical wires from your CPU fan to the power supply and remove any dust from around the electrical connectors in the power supply with the compressed air. Unplug the connectors and check for any signs of decay or anything that would prevent their normal operation. Once you have inspected the electrical connectors, reattach them to the power supply.

5.Turn the computer back on with the top of the case still removed and check to see if the fan is working normally. If the fan is still not functioning, you will have to replace it by unscrewing it from the back of the CPU and installing a new CPU fan.

6.Slide the CPU cover back over the top of the base when you have completed your troubleshooting of the CPU fan. Secure the cover by reattaching the screws in the back of the unit with a screwdriver.

What causes laptop batteries to overheat?

To understand why that happened, it's helpful to know a little bit about how batteries work. Batteries have a negatively charged terminal and a positively charged terminal. In a laptop battery, energy from electrochemical reactions causes electrons (negatively charged particles) to collect at the battery's negatively charged pole. Charged particles are attracted to opposite charge, so if you connect a battery to a circuit, the electrons will flow from the negative pole, through the circuit and to the battery's positively charged pole. In other words, the battery generates a moving charge, or electricity. (See How Electricity Works and How Batteries Work for more details).
The exact reaction that generates the electrons varies, depending on the type of battery. In a lithium-ion battery, you'll find pressurized containers that house a coil of metal and a flammable, lithium-containing liquid. The manufacturing process creates tiny pieces of metal that float in the liquid. Manufacturers can't completely prevent these metal fragments, but good manufacturing techniques limit their size and number. The cells of a lithium-ion battery also contain separators that keep the anodes and cathodes, or positive and negative poles, from touching each other.

If the battery gets hot through use or recharging, the pieces of metal can move around, much like grains of rice in a pot of water. If a piece of metal gets too close to the separator, it can puncture the separator and cause a short circuit. There are a few possible scenarios for what can go wrong in the case of a short circuit:
If it creates a spark, the flammable liquid can ignite, causing a fire.
If it causes the temperature inside the battery to rise rapidly, the battery can explode due to the increased pressure.
If it causes the temperature to rise slowly, the battery can melt, and the liquid inside can leak out.
There are several reasons why­ multiple laptop battery models have been recalled in the past few years. People want small, lightweight laptops that they can use for long periods. They also want their laptops to have bright screens and lots of processing power. For these reasons, laptop battery have to be relatively small, but they also have to hold a lot of energy and last a long time.
Making lithium-ion batteries that can hold more power for a longer period requires vital components, including the separators, to be small and thin.size makes it more likely that the batteries can fail, break, leak or short circuit.

Choosing a laptop battery

Notebook computers usually are eating in place PCs' market stocks because of its portability. But if you need to use the laptop's portability, a person must ensure the battery of this laptop can be tough ample. In any other case, you need obtain a brand-new alternative clapboard best battery. Therefore selecting a laptop battery?

The first thing you should think about whenever you select a laptop battery could be the reputability on the batteries. There are several laptop makers in the marketplace. In case your finances aren’t so limited, next the best choice will be a battery of producer of this laptop. But these batteries could well be considerably more expensive compared to average cost already in the market. Dell, as an example, has been recognized by cost several occasions a lot more than ones you may get elsewhere. Consequently, should you not desire to shell out the excessive quality cost, you may get one at a distinct manufacturer.

In fact several well known laptop battery makers never in fact manufacturer, alternatively they may be the brander on the product or service. For example, should you open a real Sony laptop battery, you may find how the electric power solar cells on the inside are of Toshiba, Panasonic, or maybe an equivalent major label company. Many alternative makes work with the exact same electric power solar cells while original makers, and in addition they price a lot less compared to original ones.

Something else you should think about can be the battery. Typically there are several principal types of laptop batteries: nickel cadmium (NiCad) battery, nickel precious metal hydride (NiMH) battery, Lithium ion (Li-Ion) battery in addition to Li-Poly battery. NiCad battery is incredibly outdated in addition to old fashioned; it truly is rare already in the market right now. Ni-MH can be more recent plus more advanced, although isn't as good as the Li-Ion in addition to Li-Poly counterparts. Li-Ion in addition to Li-Poly is classified as the innovative in addition to common types of batteries in the marketplace. You ought to be obvious which kind a person laptop battery can be, due to the fact the vast majority of notebooks are made having one sort of batteries in addition to can't be used with other designs. For instance, in case your original HP  laptop battery can be Li-ion, you then should obtain a Li-ion alternative battery.

One more important thing you ought to definitely take note of could be the electric power score on the laptop battery. Power packs while using the very same physical measurement can vary tremendously in electric power evaluations. Typically batteries usually are graded by Volts in addition to Amperes, though most companies demonstrate battery evaluations having Volts in addition to Milliamperes (or mAh). A thousand Milliamperes equates to 1 Ampere. Nonetheless, a few batteries possess the two distinct Volts in addition to Milliamperes, next it truly is hard for you to examine which one features more powerful electric power. In fact there is another approach to price the power: by Watt-Hours. Watt-Hours is simply increasing number the Volts and the Amperes collectively. To help you effortlessly uncover which in turn battery features more electric power. 

Replace Your Laptop Screen

Step 1: Determine if you need a new screen

If you've dropped your laptop—or dropped something on it—and the laptop screen has fractured, the diagnosis is easy. Connect an external monitor to your notebook via its VGA-out port to verify that the notebook's other components still work. If the laptop functions properly in all other respects, it's time to start hunting for the parts to fix the screen.
If your display problems aren't the result of visible physical damage, however, the problem may not be the LCD. If your screen's backlight flickers, shuts down after a few minutes of usage, or doesn't come on at all, but you can still see a faint screen image, your problem may be the inverter, a small board that supplies power to the backlight. The good news is that these boards are available for well under $100. (We'll show you how to locate and replace the inverter.) If replacing the inverter doesn't solve the problem, the backlight itself may be faulty. If that's the case, replacing the LCD should fix your problem.
If you see gibberish, lines, or a solid color on the screen, connect an external monitor and switch to that display (if you can). If the problem is evident on the external monitor, the issue is likely with your laptop's motherboard or video circuitry, not the display. If the external display works properly, the LCD or the cables leading to it are the likely problem.

Step 2: Find and remove the bezel screws

Before buying a new LCD, you'll want to examine, and possibly remove, the current one. Doing so will give you a chance to spot other possible causes for your display problem, and to gather the necessary part numbers to ensure that you get the right replacement screen.
Before you begin, remove the laptop's battery and disconnect the power brick. For most laptops, you'll need only a couple of tools to remove the screen: a small Philips screwdriver, and a very small flat-head screwdriver or a knife.
First, you'll need to locate the screw covers. These small rubber covers are generally found on the front of the display's bezel (surrounding frame), though on some notebooks you might find some of the covers along the side of the screen. (Note that these instructions will work for most laptop models, but occasionally you'll encounter unusual designs such as Apple's iBook G4, which uses Allen screws, or Apple's MacBook, which has no screws holding its bezel in place.)
Use the tip of a small flat-head screwdriver or knife to carefully pry back the corner of each rubber cover around the screen until you can see if a screw lies underneath. If you locate a screw, remove the cover and place it in a small plastic bag or other safe location. Typically, you'll find at least four, and perhaps six, screws on the bezel. After you've located them all, remove them and store them with the covers.

Step 3: Remove the bezel

At the bottom center of the LCD screen, carefully work your fingers between the bezel and the screen, and gently pull the bezel. Usually, it will easily snap loose; if not, gently pull it in different directions until it does. Carefully work your way around the rest of the bezel, pulling it away from the rear plastic of the screen cover.
Once the bezel is off, you'll see the LCD in its metal frame. On most notebooks, the inverter board is directly below the screen. You may now be able to tilt the LCD forward, away from the plastic shell behind it. If not, check for additional screws securing the frame to the shell.
If you're troubleshooting a problem that doesn't involve physical damage such as a cracked screen, check the cable connecting the screen to the motherboard and inverter for loose connections or broken wires. If you're lucky, the solution to your problem may be as simple as reseating a loose cable or replacing an obviously broken one.

Step 4: Find the right replacement parts

Now that you've exposed the screen, look for a label on the back showing the manufacturer's part number. This typically consists of one or more letters, followed by a series of numbers. Manufacturers sometimes use different screens for variants of the same laptop model, so having this number will ensure that you get the proper replacement screen for your laptop.
Armed with this information, you're ready to secure a replacement screen. Chances are you can purchase the screen from your notebook's manufacturer, but you'll probably pay a steep premium. Your best bet is to search elsewhere online. Enter the part number for the LCD (or the laptop's model number and terms like "replacement LCD") in a search engine to find a variety of online resellers for laptop parts. eBay is another good source—you'll find new screens, functioning used screens pulled from broken notebooks, and replacement inverters.
A company specializing in replacement LCDs for most major laptop brands, ScreenTek is another great place to start. It also offers improved high-gloss screens for some laptop models, as well as an assortment of illustrated installation guides.

Step 5: Replace the broken screen

Before removing the broken LCD, you'll need to disconnect the cables connecting it to your notebook. The video cable is typically a long ribbon cable taped to the back of the screen. Remove the tape, then carefully unplug the connector from the back of the LCD. Also be sure to disconnect the power cable between the LCD and inverter. If you need to remove the inverter to replace it or to access its power connector, simply remove the screws holding the inverter in place, then unplug the power connectors from each side of the inverter board. Once the cables are disconnected, remove the screws holding the LCD to the metal frame, and slip the old LCD out. Installing the new LCD is simply a matter of reversing the process: Screw the new LCD into the metal frame, then connect the video cable and inverter.

Step 6: Power it up

Before replacing the bezel and its screws, put the new screen to the test. Attach your power brick or reinstall the battery, and power up the laptop. If the screen doesn't work properly, power down, then double-check the inverter and video-cable connections.
Once you're sure everything's working, snap the bezel in place, replace the screws, and press on the screw covers. (You might want to add a dab of mild glue, such as Elmer's, to the back of the screw covers to secure them.) Your laptop is now back in action, at a fraction of the cost you'd pay to have the laptop screen replaced by the manufacturer.

How to Repair a Broken Key on a Laptop Computer Keyboard

If you have a laptop computer, you may have already figured out how easily the keys can pop off the keyboard. If you take it for repair, your computer may have to be sent out for repairs. Don't go to those lengths when you can easily repair the key yourself. It can take a little bit of manipulation to get the key on the keyboard, but it is much better than having to pay to have it done and to be without your laptop for a long period of time.
How to repair a broken key on your laptop keyboard:

Step One- Look at the bottom of the broken key. You will see too parts. Each part under the key is moveable. If both pieces aren't under the key, look at the keyboard where the key came off. The second piece may still be on the keyboard. Get the second piece off the keyboard by gently pulling it upward.

Step Two- Attach the loose piece to the underside of the key that needs repaired. You can do this by simply snapping it into place where the prongs are at the top of the key. Both pieces should not be attached to the key itself and be moveable.

Step Three- Move the outer piece so that it is as far open as you can get it. Push and hold the inner piece close to the key. Place the outer piece at the top of the keyboard where the missing key is. Slide the outer piece onto the hooks in the keyboard and gently pull forward. The top of the piece should now be attached to the keyboard.

Step Four- Press down on the front of the key so that it moves towards the keyboard. The key should snap into place. There is a chance that the key could be too tight on the keyboard. If so, remove the key by reversing the actions and try again.

It may take a few minutes the first time that you try to repair a key on a keyboard the first time. Before you know it, you will be a pro at it and you will never have to take your computer to get a key replaced again on your laptop computer. Don't just set the key aside and lose it either. It can be very difficult to type properly when you have a missing key on your laptop keyboard and eventually it will stop working if you don't repair the problem.

How to Fix an HP Laptop Keyboard

As laptop computers become a bigger part of people's lives, they are exposed to potential damage through transport, wear and tear, and extreme temperatures. Most laptops will need to be repaired at least once in their usable lives, and
keyboards are one of the more commonly replaced components. Laptop keys become unresponsive or letters become worn away, or spills cause them to fail altogether. However, laptop keyboard are inexpensive and easy to replace.

1.Turn off the laptop and remove the battery. Open the laptop lid and locate the plastic cover at the rear of the keyboard. Turn over the laptop and remove any screws holding the rear cover in place. Return the laptop to the upright position, and use a small flat screwdriver to gently pry up the rear cover. Pull the cover gently from front to back to release any retaining snaps.

2.Locate and remove the four screws holding the keyboard in place. Gently lift the rear of the keyboard to expose the ribbon cable underneath. Release the ribbon cable by carefully prying the brown retainer away from the cable. Pull the cable out of the connector.

3.Place the new keyboard near the laptop palm rest so that the ribbon cable will reach the connector. Insert the cable in to the connector and pry the retainer closed. Replace the keyboard in the recess and reinstall the screws.

4.Gently press one end of the plastic cover back in place at the back of the laptop. Press gently to snap the end of the cover down, then work slowly across the rest of the cover pressing it in place until it is completely seated.

5.Reinsert the battery and turn on the laptop. Verify the new keyboard's operation by typing in Word Pad or a comparable word processing program. Use each key to verify operation. Remove the keyboard and re-seat the ribbon cable if any keys are unresponsive.

Top 15 Ways to Extend Your Laptop’s Battery Life

Laptops tend to lose their charm quickly when you’re constantly looking for the nearest power outlet to charge up.  How do you keep your battery going for as long as possible?  Here are 15 easy ways to do so.
1. Defrag regularly -  The faster your hard drive does its work – less demand you are going to put on the hard drive and your battery.  Make your hard drive as efficient as possible by defragging it regularly. (but not while it’s on battery of course!) Mac OSX is better built to handle fragmentation so it may not be very applicable for Apple systems.
2. Dim your screen – Most laptops come with the ability to dim your laptop screen.  Some even come with ways to modify CPU and cooling performance.  Cut them down to the lowest level you can tolerate to squeeze out some extra battery juice.
3. Cut down on programs running in the background.  Itunes, Desktop Search, etc.  All these add to the CPU load and cut down battery life.  Shut down everything that isn’t crucial when you’re on battery.
4. Cut down external devices – USB devices (including your mouse) & WiFi drain down your laptop battery.  Remove or shut them down when not in use.  It goes without saying that charging other devices (like your iPod) with your laptop when on battery is a surefire way of quickly wiping out the charge on your laptop battery.

5. Add more RAM - This will allow you to process more with the memory your laptop has, rather than relying on virtual memory.  Virtual memory results in hard drive use, and is much less power efficient. Note that adding more RAM will consume more energy, so this is most applicable if you do need to run memory intensive programs which actually require heavy usage of virtual memory.
6. Run off a hard drive rather than CD/DVD - As power consuming as hard drives are, CD and DVD drives are worse.  Even having one in the drive can be power consuming.  They spin, taking power, even when they?re not actively being used.  Wherever possible, try to run on virtual drives using programs like Alcohol 120% rather than optical ones.
7.  Keep the battery contacts clean:  Clean your battery’s metal contacts every couple of months with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol.  This keeps the transfer of power from your battery more efficient.
8. Take care of your battery – Exercise the Battery.  Do not leave a charged battery dormant for long periods of time.  Once charged, you should at least use the battery at least once every two to three weeks. Also, do not let a Li-On battery completely discharge. (Discharing is only for older batteries with memory effects)
9. Hibernate not standby – Although placing a laptop in standby mode saves some power and you can instantly resume where you left off, it doesn’t save anywhere as much power as the hibernate function does.  Hibernating a PC will actually save your PC’s state as it is, and completely shut itself down.
10. Keep operating temperature down - Your laptop operates more efficiently when it’s cooler.  Clean out your air vents with a cloth or keyboard cleaner, or refer to some extra tips by LapTopMag.com.
11. Set up and optimize your power options – Go to ‘Power Options’ in your windows control panel and set it up so that power usage is optimized (Select the ‘max battery’ for maximum effect).
12. Don’t multitask – Do one thing at a time when you’re on battery.  Rather than working on a spreadsheet, letting your email client run in the background and listening to your latest set of MP3′s, set your mind to one thing only.  If you don’t you’ll only drain out your batteries before anything gets completed!
13. Go easy on the PC demands – The more you demand from your PC.  Passive activities like email and word processing consume much less power than gaming or playing a DVD.  If you’ve got a single battery charge – pick your priorities wisely.
14. Get yourself a more efficient laptop -  Laptops are getting more and more efficient in nature to the point where some manufacturers are talking about all day long batteries.  Picking up a newer more efficient laptop to replace an aging one is usually a quick fix.
15. Prevent the Memory Effect - If you’re using a very old laptop, you’ll want to prevent the ‘memory effect’ – Keep the battery healthy by fully charging and then fully discharging it at least once every two to three weeks. Exceptions to the rule are Li-Ion batteries (which most laptops have) which do not suffer from the memory effect.

How to Charge a Laptop Battery

You must charge your laptop battery to keep it operational. You charge your laptop battery by plugging the laptop into a wall socket. You can recharge your battery whether the battery is fully drained or not.

Note that lithium-ion batteries have a rapid-charging option. This option is available either on a custom tab inside the Power Options dialog box or through special battery software that came with your laptop. In a pinch, a rapid charge can save time. Otherwise, you want a nice, full, slow charge for your laptop’s battery. Other battery-charging points are as follows:

1.You can recharge your laptop’s battery whether the battery is fully drained or not. Especially if your laptop is using a lithium-ion battery, it makes no difference.

2.Lithium-ion batteries have a rapid-charging option. This option is available either on a custom tab inside the Power Options dialog box or from special battery software that came with your laptop. In a pinch, a rapid charge can save time. Otherwise, you want a nice, full, slow charge for your laptop's battery.

3.Leave your laptop plugged into the wall socket whenever possible.

4.There’s no need to fully drain your laptop's lithium-ion battery every time you use it.

5.The battery continues to charge even when the laptop is turned off.

6.It doesn’t take longer to recharge the battery if you use the laptop while recharging.

7.Never short a battery to fully drain it. By short, I mean that you connect the two terminals (positive and negative) directly so that the battery simply drains. This is a very bad, stupid thing to do. It can cause a fire. Don't do it.