Body
Issue:
Laptop battery doesn't last very long, fails before the estimated time (example going from 50% to powering down in a few minutes), or won't power the laptop at all.
Resolution:
If this is an ongoing issue, please let ITS know by submitting a Service Desk Ticket. There is a known issue with Latitude 3400 series laptops that ITS is aware of.
Things you can do to extend battery life:
The biggest drain on the battery is going to be the LCD screen. Reducing the brightness can significantly extend remaining battery time.
In the bottom right hand corner (system tray) you'll find a battery icon. Clicking this will bring up a menu where you can move a slider to "Best Battery Life" (farthest left). This will automatically take steps to improve remaining run time.
Sleeping your laptop whenever possible will also help.
It is helpful for a laptop battery to be fully charged every so often. Please ensure it regularly gets charged for optimal battery longevity.