Batteries etc on the port: 1) Since rechargeable batteries aren't normally the best choice for the port, getting the most AA alkaline battery for the money is of interest to most port owners. Fortunately, Consumer Reports rated alkaline, heavy duty and rechargeable batteries in November 1991. Testing alkaline AA batteries at two different levels of demand, CU found Duracells, Panasonic, Sear's Diehard, and the Eveready Energizer, gave about the same level of performance. In other words, buy by price among these brands. Kodak Supralife and Radio Shack rated a little lower; but a sale or rebate offer can make one of these the best deal. Ray-o-vac cells were the poorest performers. This agrees with my experience. I don't think they could be priced low enough to make up for their poor or uneven performance. Avoid them. House brand batteries might be worth trying, since most of them are undoubtedly made by one of the major manufacturers; but since that may be Ray-o-vac, try a few before buying a case, whatever the price. If you find some good deals, let the rest of us know! 2) If you don't have three new AA cells when the low battery warning comes on (and carrying three spares can be a pain), a trick I've tried MAY help you get a few more minutes work done. (I don't THINK it will cause any problems, but this is only my thinking.) Try adding one new cell. If that doesn't bring the port back to operation, try swapping out each of the remaining two cells. Checking cells, I've found that sometimes one cell will be more exhausted than the rest. In fact it might be worth checking each cell's voltage before throwing them out to see if your experience matches mine. 3) The following applies to batteries, card contacts, etc. in the port, and electical contacts in general, such as on ste- reos, car batteries, PCs, etc. An electrical engineer friend of mine tells me oxidation on battery (and switch and other) con- tacts can create significant resistance. These invisible "re- sistive oxides" can build up even on gold-plated contacts, as the the plating is "porous" and lets the oxides form and migrate to the surface. This all adds up to energy wasted as heat and perhaps decreased performance. The answer is to carefully clean the contacts. Wiping with a solvent like alcohol will remove oils and grunge; gently rub- bing with a clean PENCIL eraser will also help. But what if this doesn't work, or if the contacts are inaccessible, as in a switch? One answer is a product used in industry called "CRAMOLIN", made by Caig Laboratories, Inc. as "Deoxit" or"Cramolin". Write them for information (1175-0 Industrial Ave Escondido, CA 92025). Initially, the stuff doesn't seem cheap - it costs $10 or more to get any form of it - but it goes a V-E-R-Y long way, is non-toxic and safe for all surfaces and best of all, really works. A small drop of the liquid or squirt of the spray is all you need. It migrates and penetrates like crazy, so applying it to a dry cell terminal will clean he contacts as well. Clean surfaces are maintained for about a year after in application. Use blue cramolin or Preservit to extend the protection. Use this on the battery terminals and all PORT/PC electronic con- tacts. (I cured an intermittent booting problem on my XT, e.g., by cleaning the card edges with it, and eliminated switch problems on my stereo amp after so-called "tuner cleaners" failed.) I now use cramolin professionally as well, on electron- ics used in the field or lab in biological research - these envi- ronments can be harsh, and cramolin definitely improves perfor- mance and reduces downtime for equipment. Caig sells the stuff direct, but you might be able to find at a local electronics supply store (Radio Shack doesn't have it) or order it from MCM Electronics(order or get a catalog by call- ing 1-800-543-4330, or write 650 Congress Park DR., Centerville OH 45459-6959). No I don't own stock in Caig (yet?). It is just that this stuff really works and will cure some problems (some of which you may be unaware of) with contacts, noisy switches, etc. This is an honest, cost-effective product that should be better known!Batteries etc on the port: 1) Since rechargeable batteries aren't normally the best choice for the port, getting the most AA alkaline battery for the money is of interest to most port owners. Fortunately, Consumer Reports rated alkaline, heavy duty and rechargeable batteries in November 1991. Testing alkaline AA batteries at two different levels of demand, CU found Duracells, Panasonic, Sear's Diehard, and the Eveready Energizer, gave about the same level of performance. In other words, buy by price among these brands. Kodak Supralife and Radio Shack rated a little lower; but a sale or rebate offer can make one of these the best deal. Ray-o-vac cells were the poorest performers. This agrees with my experience. I don't think they could be priced low enough to make up for their poor or uneven performance. Avoid them. House brand batteries might be worth trying, since most of them are undoubtedly made by one of the major manufacturers; but since that may be Ray-o-vac, try a few before buying a case, whatever the price. If you find some good deals, let the rest of us know! 2) If you don't have three new AA cells when the low battery warning comes on (and carrying three spares can be a pain), a trick I've tried MAY help you get a few more minutes work done. (I don't THINK it will cause any problems, but this is only my thinking.) Try adding one new cell. If that doesn't bring the port back to operation, try swapping out each of the remaining two cells. Checking cells, I've found that sometimes one cell will be more exhausted than the rest. In fact it might be worth checking each cell's voltage before throwing them out to see if your experience matches mine. 3) The following applies to batteries, card contacts, etc. in the port, and electical contacts in general, such as on ste- reos, car batteries, PCs, etc. An electrical engineer friend of mine tells me oxidation on battery (and switch and other) con- tacts can create significant resistance. These invisible "re- sistive oxides" can build up even on gold-plated contacts, as the the plating is "porous" and lets the oxides form and migrate to the surface. This all adds up to energy wasted as heat and perhaps decreased performance. The answer is to carefully clean the contacts. Wiping with a solvent like alcohol will remove oils and grunge; gently rub- bing with a clean PENCIL eraser will also help. But what if this doesn't work, or if the contacts are inaccessible, as in a switch? One answer is a product used in industry called "CRAMOLIN", made by Caig Laboratories, Inc. as "Deoxit" or"Cramolin". Write them for information (1175-0 Industrial Ave Escondido, CA 92025). Initially, the stuff doesn't seem cheap - it costs $10 or more to get any form of it - but it goes a V-E-R-Y long way, is non-toxic and safe for all surfaces and best of all, really works. A small drop of the liquid or squirt of the spray is all you need. It migrates and penetrates like crazy, so applying it to a dry cell terminal will clean he contacts as well. Clean surfaces are maintained for about a year after in application. Use blue cramolin or Preservit to extend the protection. Use this on the battery terminals and all PORT/PC electronic con- tacts. (I cured an intermittent booting problem on my XT, e.g., by cleaning the card edges with it, and eliminated switch problemms on my stereo amp after so-called "tuner cleaners" failed.) I now use cramolin professionally as well, on electron- ics used in the field or lab in biological research - these envi- ronments can be harsh, and cramolin definitely improves perfor- mance and reduces downtime for equipment. Caig sells the stuff direct, but you might be able to find at a local electronics supply store (Radio Shack doesn't have it) or order it from MCM Electronics(order or get a catalog by call- ing 1-800-543-4330, or write 650 Congress Park DR., Centerville OH 45459-6959). No I don't own stock in Caig (yet?). It is just that this stuff really works and will cure some problems (some of which you may be unaware of) with contacts, noisy switches, etc. This is an honest, cost-effective product that should be better known!