Hi Duolisters,
I've been lurking for a while due to other work but have noted an unusual
rash of (seemingly) related 2400 problems, so feel it's time to chime in.
On Tue, 2 Nov 1999 10:21:44 -0800, William Koperwhats <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Holger Marseille <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>
>> Ok, this second part was written after the machine froze again, but
>> would not start-up afterwards. I waited approx. 7 hours. Then I tried
>> again without the ac-adapter:
>> Nothing, no green light, just the faint click.
>> Then I tried with the AC-adapter : GONG.
>> Now it's running, but: Before it froze, the battery was 80% full.
>> Afterwards totally empty ! Does that mean It sucked electricity from the
>> battery, even though it was off, or is just this whole PMU totally
>> !#@$@%@$! up ?
The green light is PMU related, the battery discharge is OK. What happened
is that you left the battery in the 2400 for 7 hours while the PMU thought
the computer was in a sleep mode. The battery got discharged so the power
key had no (at least insufficient) juice to effect startup. When you
connected the AC adapter, there was enough power. When any Powerbook starts
up, it will show the last registered/remembered voltage (in your case 80%),
and then after starting up, will measure the voltage to determine and update
the battery charge level. In Holger's case, it evidently drained down but
the sequence of (abnormal) symptoms is perfectly normal.
>> I should mention, that I bought a brand new battery and an adapter 4
>> months ago.
Conclusion: Holger's battery and adapter are OK, assuming the adapter has
not frayed. You just have to be more persistent with PMU techniques (see
below). A frayed adapter cycling intermittently can do wonders for
corrupting the PM.
>
> Holger, my wife is experiencing an identical problem with her 2400.
>
> Symptom: After experiencing ggod (green glow of death) the machine will not
> charge the battery. It recognizes that a battery is inserted (no red X) but
> it shows that it is completely discharged and will not charge it (including
> no lightning bolt indicator), running, asleep or shut down. There is very
> little battery left, but if the power adapter is removed while running, the
> battery still is able to power the machine long enough to show the 10
> seconds remaining dialog, and plugging back in will recover. Of course I am
> unable to test it with a second battery, so I can't rule IT out yet, but
> this does seem to be a recurring issue with these machines (along with the
> old rolling screw, and infamous clicker problem).
The power manager and PRAM should both be reset. Try a deep reset (see
below). The battery is more likely OK than not.
>
> Since resetting the power manager numerous times, letting it sit for 2 days
> with no source of power, and cursing at it has had no effect, my only
> thought is to take it apart, and either disconnect the backup battery or let
> it drain completely as has been suggested by other list members.
Bill evidently left the battery in as well. Before taking it apart, DRAIN
IT.
>
> If I make any breakthroughs, or if anyone else has any suggestions please
> speak up...
See below.
I meant this as a quick post because I've been buried in a large project. So
I pulled a combo post I made several months back which is relevant to the
problems being discussed.
----------------------------- REPOST
Timothy A. Seufert" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> replied to:
> At 5:51 PM -0700 8/3/99, Marc Sira wrote:
>>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.
>
> From this description I'm not sure if you're doing it correctly -- you need
> to hold the reset switch down for 20 seconds or more, then let go. (This
> is a pain. I always mess up and let go too early because of how hard it is
> to hold the switch down.)
>
> The PowerBook Power Manager is notoriously flaky, and the 2400 is one of
> the worst models. You often have to just keep trying the reset procedure
> until finally it works. (I've experienced this before.) Obviously there
> are limits of sanity as to how many times to try, but I've had it take 20
> tries to get one going.
Tim's advice is excellent. I've had the same experiences. I'd like to add
one important final step.
If pushing the switch for 45 secs or more (if you have 80mb ram) still
doesn't work, there is still one more important thing to try. Pull the
battery and let the PRAM battery drain until the diode light goes out. This
may take hours to a day or two. Then reconnect the AC power with the battery
OUT of the computer. Press the power key down firmly (several seconds) and
hold down until you hear the chime. The first boot will take some time as
the Mac sorts itself out.
--------------------------------------- END REPOST
I'd just add that if after trying this 2-3 times, and still not succeeding
in reviving your 2400s, it probably is time to contact MCE, DTT or Apple and
ship them your 2400.
And, just for the heck of it, my own PB2400 is all in pieces now for the
past 3-4 months as I've not had time to troubleshoot a non-terminal but
insidious problem. When I do get around to it, I'll post the news and
procedures. Meanwhile, good luck reviving these temperamental 2400s.
HTH & BIBI
---
Sidney Ho
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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