As of last weekend, my 2400 appears to be in serious straits. The sleep LED is
lit steady green as per the manual - hitting the reset switch produces a
typical power-on >click< from the speaker, then nothing - no chime, no boot.
Since this PB replaced my Duo 2300 as my primary computer and I can't currently
afford a new one, losing it is really a setback to me. I'd appreciate any advice
or similar experiences anyone on this list could offer. A more detailed account
follows:
When the problem first appeared (after failing to wake from sleep, something
it's done a few times in the year and a half I've had it, but not often), I
tried the usual tricks to reset the PRAM and power manager without success. The
green LED wasn't lit then, actually, but was after I opened the machine and
disconnected the backup battery long enough to clear it out. This didn't work
the first time either, but with persistence I was eventually able to get it to
boot a few more times, though it would seem to randomly freeze and require
another press of the reset button to reboot (this appeared to happen when
processor cycling set in, and the machine did run stably for a few hours more
when I'd disabled that feature, though not long enough to really conclude
anything). The machine would lose the current time and its PRAM settings even
when it did reboot, so at that time I figured the problem was probably a dying
backup battery, but subsequent measurements of the battery show that it remains
well above its rated voltage when under load. Also, the backup battery isn't
nearly as important in a Powerbook as a desktop Mac, and I'd thought the
machine should theoretically be able to do without it most of the time. I've
even tried connecting a DC voltage supply at 4.0V and 4.5V in lieu of the
battery without success, so I don't think that's it anyway. I'm unable to
actually replace the battery with a new one and make certain, for reasons I'll
get into below.
I did take the PB to a local Apple dealer for a look, but they apparently
didn't find anything in the service manual, and they were unable to get parts
for it (ie. the backup battery) in Canada. The company recommendation at this
point is to ship the machine to a dealer in the US, which I'd obviously prefer
not to do if possible. Before then I'd at least like to explore the
possibility that it's (a) fairly minor and fixable, or (b) a complete
write-off (gulp). I've had a line of Duos, and I really wouldn't expect
catastrophic failure in a Powerbook after 18 months.
As an interesting corollary, someone posted last night on the Mac portables
newsgroup regarding a 3400 that appears to be in the same situation. I've tried
all the things that person lists, other than replacing the backup battery
(which didn't work in their case, as per my suspicions).
If anyone on this list is able to sell Apple parts and would be able to ship me
a battery or other parts, please email me. Also, if someone has a relatively
inexpensive Duo 250 or 280 that could use a good home, let me know. Even if I
do get this thing fixed, I need a better backup, and I've still got a lot of Duo
paraphernalia around here.
----------
Duo/2400 List, The friendliest place on the Net!
A listserv for users and fans of Mac subportables.
FAQ at <http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/DuoListFAQ.shtml>
Be sure to visit Mac2400! <http://www.sineware.com/mac2400>
Dr. Bott LLC | Get a LapBottom with new �GRIPPIER� gripper pads!
| http://www.drbott.com/prod/lapbot.html $23.00
Midwest Mac Parts <http://www.midwestmac.com> | After-market parts
for Macs. Fix your ticking dock for $59 w/ trade-in of PS. 888-356-1104
PowerBook Guy is | Click here!
Everything PowerBook! | http://www.powerbookguy.com
