So umm.. I kind of beat the hell out of my old cellphone when I was pissed off once a few weeks ago, and have been using my fiance's old Ericsson because of that. I have insurance on the old phone, just I have been too lazy to take it in and get a new one. I did that today, and they gave me a Ericsson T61z, does anyone know if I have to fully charge the battery before using it? Errr, as in, can I use it WHILE it is charging for the very first time? Or is it like regular telephones and other stuff, where you have to let the battery fully charge or it will only last as long as you DID charge it (if that makes any sense).

I want to play with it but I don't want to screw the battery up.

I am asking because my original phone, I wasn't the first person who owned it, my cousin originally had it but then he racked up $200 over his limit that my dad had to pay, so they gave it to me instead.. so I have never had a brand new cellphone.

I belive you should charge it for 24 hrs and then let it drain compleatly and the recharge again for 24 hrs. After that you shold be fine.

:)

So I can't use it (not the phone or text messaging, just to look at it and options and stuff) while it is charging?

nope, you cant play with it or nothing... just let it charge so the battery doesnt get screwed up.

the batteris have a memory built into them. If you interupt the first charge your battery will never fully charge again.

Tha first two chargers are the most inportant.

Fully charge it....then use it until its fully drained then recharge the battery fully, and you will be on your way.

Cheers

Originally posted by JMD
the batteris have a memory built into them.

Never knew that. Interesting! :)

Oops, accidental double-post.

Originally posted by JMD
the batteris have a memory built into them. If you interupt the first charge your battery will never fully charge again.I don't think it'd be really accurate to say that they "have a memory built into them," which both implies that it's an intentional part of the design and that it really has something to do with what would normally be called "memory."

NiCD batteries, though, do experience a conditioning effect that results in voltage depletion and that is sometimes called the "memory effect," even though many people feel it's an inaccurate term. NiMH batteries don't have the same property, while they can experience a similar but less pronounced voltage depletion.

In either case, it's an inaccurate oversimplification to say that whatever level you charge either battery to the first time will be the highest level to which it will subsequently hold a charge. The "memory effect" is a gradual reduction of the battery to be able to return power. The effect -- unlike damage caused by overcharging -- is reversible by "conditioning the battery" by depleting it fully and then charging it fully. You're not doomed to never again have a fully charged battery if you interrupt its first charge.

One of many resources: http://www.repairfaq.org/ELE/F_NiCd_Memory.html