Hi Frank.
 FI> instead of getting just over 7 to 8 hours on
 FI> standby, I get only 3 with a talktime of little more than 20
 FI> minutes before it's dead.
 FI> Is the battery wearing out and do I need to replace it, and if
Your battery sounds like it is suffering from 'battery memory'. This means 
that you have not been discharging it (wearing it down fully) before you 
re-charge it again.
In effect, it remembers how much charge you have given it.
->> isn't wearing out, is there a way of putting some extra life
->> back into it? ..
You can try discharging the battery fully, and then re-charging it several 
times. This usually brings it back to life, but it will NEVER be as effective 
as it used to be. It would be worth investing in a charger that has a 
discharge facility on it. That way, you can balways be sure that the battery 
will not suffer from Memory.
->> and is there any truth that you don't really
->> need to buy a dedicated replacement battery (a non-Motorola
->> type?)
Well, I would dissagree. I work in a well-known mobile phone store, and a lot 
of people tend to think if it's the same type and voltage, it makes no 
difference. This is a very bad attitude to have, as it costs YOU more money 
in the long run.
There are two types of mobile phone batterys available at the moment; the 
NiCd (Nickel Cadmium) and the NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride). The NiCd has a 
longer life span, but suffers from battery memory. The NiMH gives up to 
DOUBLE the NiCd standby time, and DOESN'T suffer from battery memory (alough 
it lasts longer if you fully discharge it once a week).
**** I GUARANTEE that if you go out and buy a Motorola and a cheaper battery, 
the Motorola one willl last the longest. Un-Branded batteries are really only 
good as a spare, when they don;t get used very often.
Hope this helps.
GoTTa GO, Until Next Time.......
                             DAN
         E-Mail:           \\|||//        Voice:
  Dan@home.nemesis.co.uk   ( o o )   UK (0956) 648 665
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