After storing a computer for several months, the battery can reach a critical charge level and cannot be recharged. This is a safety feature of the battery.
Many HP business notebooks use ship mode to minimize battery drain. Ship mode allows the battery to remain viable longer than when the computer is turned off. However, the computer exits ship mode when it is turned on for the first time. If a computer must be stored for a long period of time, such as a school break or when necessary for business purposes, place the computer in ship mode before storing.
note:
Not all business notebooks support ship mode. Refer to the user guide to determine if it supports this feature.
Perform the following steps before enabling battery ship mode:
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Update the BIOS to the latest version for your computer. For more information, go to
Updating the BIOS
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Ensure the battery is charged to between 80 - 90% capacity.
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Select the appropriate method listed below to enable battery ship mode.
Set ship mode by turning off the computer with key sequence
Use a key sequence to enable ship mode.
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Turn off the computer.
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Connect the AC adapter.
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Press and hold the Windows and Backspace keys.
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Start the computer.
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Release the keys when the HP logo appears, and then disconnect the AC adapter.
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Turn off the computer, if necessary.
The computer is now in ship mode.
Set ship mode in the BIOS (F10)
Use the computer BIOS to enable ship mode.
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Plug in the computer to a power source, and then turn on the computer.
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On your computer, press and hold the Power button for at least five seconds until the computer turns off.
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Start the computer, and then repeatedly press the Esc key until the Startup Menu displays.
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Press F10 to enter the BIOS.
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Select the Security tab.
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Set up the BIOS administrator password.
note:
The Disable Battery on Next Shut Down option is grayed out (unavailable) if the BIOS administrator password is not set.
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Select Advanced, and then Built-In Device Options.
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Set the option Disable Battery on Next Shut Down to Next Shut Down.
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Press F10 to save the changes.
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Restart the computer.
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Turn off the computer.
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Wait 2 seconds, then unplug the computer from the power source.
The computer is now in ship mode.
Set ship mode using the BIOS Configuration Utility (BCU)
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Connect the computer to a power source, and then start the computer.
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Execute HPQPswd.exe to create the BIOS administrator password BIN file.
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Execute HPBIOSUPDREC.exe with the BIOS administrator password BIN file just created to set the BIOS administrator password.
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Restart the computer.
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Set the option Disable battery on next shut down to Next shut down by executing HPBIOSUPDREC.exe with the BIOS administrator password BIN file.
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Clear the BIOS administrator password by executing HPBIOSUPDREC.exe with the BIN file.
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Turn off the computer.
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Wait two seconds then unplug the computer from the power source.
The computer is now in ship mode.
To exit ship mode for normal use, plug in the computer to a power source and press the Power button to start the computer.
note:
For very long-term storage, HP recommends checking computers every three months to check the battery charge level. If the battery charge falls below 50%, charge the battery to 80 - 90%, and repeat the procedure to put the computer back into ship mode.