I examined the exterior, the transformer cord, all good.  Charged it, left it running on battery for hours.Loaded an audio recording program, left the Dell recording ambient noise for ten hours.  Did not exhaust battery.I shall learn how the Dell goes through the next year or longer.I ordered another.  A gift to an associate.  Costs less than repairing/refurbishing notebooks in the local shops.  Will check, then give.