Powerbook G4 OS 10.3.9 won't start

[phoenixmilan]

There were several other threads that were similar, but my problem seems to be different enough that I'm going to post a new inquiry.

I bought the PB new in early 2005, and have used it rarely in the past 8 months (heavily before then). My initial problem was the battery not charging; it was always at 0%, despite having been recently replaced, and the machine could only be on if plugged into wall. For at least a year or two before this, I would get the message about the date being reset every time I would restart.

But then it stopped working, even when AC was plugged into wall (used several different chargers to test~all were 'orange-lit,' never green once these issues started). It wouldn't start up. At the Genius Bar, after not starting for a month, they plugged it into their charger and it *appeared* to start right up, so I took it with me, thinking it was fixed.

I got it home, and plugged it in. Again, it appeared to start, and fully booted for maybe 2-3 seconds before immediately dying again. I left it plugged in for several days, but then it failed in even booting.

The genius told me if it wouldn't work without the battery in it, it was good as dead and I should just get a new one. That is not an available option to me, so I am wondering how much it would be to get it fixed. I found the following suggestions online for what it might be, but I have NO clue which it is most likely to be (I don't know anything about computers):

PRAM battery
PMU
One repair site told me it was likely DC Inboard problem and I'd need to replace the logicboard for about $400 including service. Is this my best bet? It is so expensive!!

I am afraid to take it to a genius bar, for fear they'll tell me it's dead and that's that again. Thanks for any consideration you may give to this issue

 

[personman]

My friend recently had a problem with his battery. It was doing about the same thing it sounds like. Turns out since he left it plugged in so long the battery began to swell.

This disrupted the battery's ability to supply power properly, even though his computer said nothing was wrong. He got a backup battery and let the other battery set a while without using it.

It worked for him, but I can't say it would work for you. However, since you said you took it to the genius bar and it worked but then took it home and it wouldn't, have you checked that your outlets are functioning properly? I recently (last friday) found out that the outlet I keep mine plugged into shorts sometimes and the caused all manner of problems when an external drive lost power.

 

[phoenixmilan]

thanks for the suggestion.. it's definitely not the plug-ins i tried it both at my boyfriend's house, and my place, and it's not working at either. if only!

 

[djackmac]

This is actually pretty simple to diagnose but you need a charged battery. Just start the machine up with the battery and a known good AC adapter. If the battery keeps losing charge while plugged in and eventually dies because the battery drains then you know its the DC-in board. In rare cases it may be the logic board, but you really don't know until swapping DC-in boards to see if that fixes it.

If its a 15-inch or 17-inch powerbook it will likely be a dc-in/sound board. It will cost approximately $60 plus labor for installing it. So estimating about $140 bucks total not including any diagnostic fees or otherwise.

If its a 12-inch powerbook the part is cheaper (probably $30 or less), but the labor to install will be hell because the inner frame, logic board, plus almost every other part needs to be removed because the DC-in actually lies underneath the logic board. So some repair shops will charge a lot of labor for that repair (if you can find a place wanting to do it). I've done plenty of them but I charge at least an hour and a half labor. So I'm estimating it may cost a little more for a 12-inch PB even though the part is cheaper.