Ticket Options
Question Profile
| DATE | Aug 5, 2006 |
| TICKET | #27511 |
| STATUS | Closed |
| SUBJECT | PowerBook G4 |
| CAT | Computers, Operating Systems, Applications or Connected Devices |
| TYPE | Computer Hardware (RAM, Drives, Video Cards, Motherbaord, CPU, etc) |
| DESC | Power Supply |
| DESC | |
| PLATFORM | Apple Macintosh (PowerPC G3,G4,G5) |
| MODEL | PowerBook G4 15 |
| PROC | 1.67 GHz |
| RAM | 512 KB |
| DRIVE | 2 GB |
| NAME | Tzanko |
| USERNAME | tzanko.tzanov@u |
| TECHNICAL | Lots of Experience |
| ISSUE | Just Started Looking |
Question Details
TICKET ARCHIVE -> PowerBook G4
tzanko.tzanov@u - Aug 5, 2006 - 7:11 am
The batery of my Mac charges only up to 23% though connected to the power supply. I tried another power adapter but with the same result, conlcuding that the problem is with the batery. What do you think?
Cheryl - Aug 6, 2006 - 2:25 am
Tzanko,
My first question is how old is the battery? You may need to replace it.
First, try to recalibrate the battery to see if it will take a full charge.
Plug the power adapter in and fully charge your computer's battery until the battery indicator lights turn off and the adapter plug light goes from amber to green, which indicates that the battery is fully charged.
Disconnect the power adapter and use your iBook or PowerBook. When your battery gets low, you will see the low battery warning dialog on the screen. Continue to use your computer until it goes to sleep. At that point the battery has been sufficiently drained for calibration.
Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged again.
You have to fully charge and then discharge your battery only once to calibrate it. After that, you can connect and disconnect the power adapter when the battery is at any charge level.
If you have the PowerBook G4 (15-inch Double-Layer SD), check to see if your machine is one of those that needs the Battery Firmware Update:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303035
If you have installed that firmware, you may need to calibrate the battery following these instructions:
Plug in the power adapter and fully charge your PowerBook's battery until the light ring or LED on the power adapter plug changes to green and the onscreen meter in the menu bar indicates that the battery is fully charged.
Allow the battery to rest in the fully charged state for at least two hours. You may use your computer during this time as long as the adapter is plugged in.
Disconnect the power adapter with the computer still on and start running the computer off battery power. You may use your computer during this time. When your battery gets low, you will see the low battery warning dialog on the screen.
Continue to keep your computer on until it goes to sleep. Save all your work and close all applications when the battery gets very low, before the computer goes to sleep.
Turn off the computer or allow it to sleep for five hours or more.
Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged again.
Let me know if this helps.
Cheryl
My first question is how old is the battery? You may need to replace it.
First, try to recalibrate the battery to see if it will take a full charge.
Plug the power adapter in and fully charge your computer's battery until the battery indicator lights turn off and the adapter plug light goes from amber to green, which indicates that the battery is fully charged.
Disconnect the power adapter and use your iBook or PowerBook. When your battery gets low, you will see the low battery warning dialog on the screen. Continue to use your computer until it goes to sleep. At that point the battery has been sufficiently drained for calibration.
Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged again.
You have to fully charge and then discharge your battery only once to calibrate it. After that, you can connect and disconnect the power adapter when the battery is at any charge level.
If you have the PowerBook G4 (15-inch Double-Layer SD), check to see if your machine is one of those that needs the Battery Firmware Update:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303035
If you have installed that firmware, you may need to calibrate the battery following these instructions:
Plug in the power adapter and fully charge your PowerBook's battery until the light ring or LED on the power adapter plug changes to green and the onscreen meter in the menu bar indicates that the battery is fully charged.
Allow the battery to rest in the fully charged state for at least two hours. You may use your computer during this time as long as the adapter is plugged in.
Disconnect the power adapter with the computer still on and start running the computer off battery power. You may use your computer during this time. When your battery gets low, you will see the low battery warning dialog on the screen.
Continue to keep your computer on until it goes to sleep. Save all your work and close all applications when the battery gets very low, before the computer goes to sleep.
Turn off the computer or allow it to sleep for five hours or more.
Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged again.
Let me know if this helps.
Cheryl
tzanko.tzanov@u - Aug 6, 2006 - 10:19 pm
The batery and the computer are bought July 2005.
The adapter plug light goes from amber to green before the batery is fully charged (only 23 %).
The batery is not among the bateries that need update - the model is Power Book5,6.
I tried to recalibrate following your instructions and this time the batery charged up to 33%.
Shall I repeat the action until fully charged?
Tzanko
The adapter plug light goes from amber to green before the batery is fully charged (only 23 %).
The batery is not among the bateries that need update - the model is Power Book5,6.
I tried to recalibrate following your instructions and this time the batery charged up to 33%.
Shall I repeat the action until fully charged?
Tzanko
Cheryl - Aug 8, 2006 - 12:41 am
Tzanko,
A one year old battery should be able to charge completely. You only need to recalibrate the battery once, and since you still have the problem I want you to check out this Apple article.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302461
I know you mentioned that you tried a different power adaptor, but give this a try. After you have reset the power adaptor, try to recharge the battery.
If you still can't get the battery to recharge fully, I suggest you have the battery and the adaptor checked out by an authorized Apple Tech.
One more thing to check is the port for the power adaptor. Is it loose? If so, that could be the problem. Does the battery sit in its slot snug? While I am sure you have checked these things, I need to address them.
Cheryl
A one year old battery should be able to charge completely. You only need to recalibrate the battery once, and since you still have the problem I want you to check out this Apple article.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302461
I know you mentioned that you tried a different power adaptor, but give this a try. After you have reset the power adaptor, try to recharge the battery.
If you still can't get the battery to recharge fully, I suggest you have the battery and the adaptor checked out by an authorized Apple Tech.
One more thing to check is the port for the power adaptor. Is it loose? If so, that could be the problem. Does the battery sit in its slot snug? While I am sure you have checked these things, I need to address them.
Cheryl
tzanko.tzanov@u - Aug 8, 2006 - 1:51 am
The power adapter is oke.
After performing 3 times the recalibration of the batery it reached 49% of charge (initially was 23%).
It seems that the things go to an authorized Apple Tech...
After performing 3 times the recalibration of the batery it reached 49% of charge (initially was 23%).
It seems that the things go to an authorized Apple Tech...
Cheryl - Aug 8, 2006 - 2:35 am
Tzanko,
After you take it to an Apple Tech, let me know what the verdict is as I am puzzled by this as I am sure you are.
Cheryl
After you take it to an Apple Tech, let me know what the verdict is as I am puzzled by this as I am sure you are.
Cheryl
tzanko.tzanov@u - Aug 9, 2006 - 9:49 pm
As soon as I am able to reach an autorized Apple Tech I will let you know.
Tzanko
Tzanko
Cheryl - Aug 10, 2006 - 7:44 am
Tzanko,
This ticket may automatically close in between your getting to an AAT and reporting back to me.
You can reopen the ticket if that happens.
Cheryl
This ticket may automatically close in between your getting to an AAT and reporting back to me.
You can reopen the ticket if that happens.
Cheryl
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