Loose rivits, are you actually suggesting that I could remove the cover and look inside my computer to see what kind of battery I have? Surely not! You are talking to the ultimate technophobe here. If it plugs in, I'm afraid of it.
I have to go out now but I'll try to muster up my courage and remove the battery later.

Sounds like a good idea. Thanks for your input.
(This isn't the first time I've embarrassed myself regarding computers. It won't be the last.)