Re: renewed book
My wife and I had ours done at the same time (both 1400s), no charge for the installation. I had consulted a couple of more experienced people on the list and read the manual carefully. I think that I could probably do it, although a *bit* of age has made my hands a *bit* less steady. But given the reasonable cost for the new batteries, and very nice apple guy we decided to go with letting him take responsibility for this job. We have access to a university computer shop through my wife, hence the free installation -- sorry to those who don't. And I expect not all universities offer the service. Here you need either a staff or student ID from this University to have access to the service, which includes the products. Just to repeat, both these machines are running significantly more smoothly as a result. Perhaps the end of the story is to encourage folks to look around locally -- I find that I can tell pretty quick if a tech person really likes mac and the concept behind their original design, or whether it is *just* a job. It seems to make a difference, although I am sure there are those who do it as a job that do top-notch work at a reasonable price. A part of my reason for staying with macs for the course is on principle, so I like to know that the people I work with understand that reason -- as I am sure many people on this list do Cheers, Rick Just out of curiosity, what did the tech charge for the installation? I've replaced them in both of my 1400s and I know it's a little work to get at, (at the front of the lower case by the touch pad) as the plug is very tiny and the wires wrap under and through metal pieces. It is not a job for the faint of heart nor the mechanically challenged, as there are lots of parts packed in the 1400 case. Working with tweezers and a lighted magnifier are almost a must. (at least for my old eyes and fat fingers) Some people have just replaced the batteries, which requires some soldering, but the entire plug-in battery module is well worth the extra money. I found a wire frayed from rubbing on the metal framing on one of the old modules. I'm not sure what would happen if it were to ground out the battery, but it couldn't be good. David Allen tyler3rd wrote: On Mon, 2 Dec 2002, Rick wrote: Just a quick note to say that I finally had new pram/backup batteries installed into my 1400 by a service technician last week. Of all the things I've done, this has to be the smartest. Many little inconsistent quirks have disappeared. I say this to encourage those who use 1400s which haven't had the batteries replaced to consider it if you have any question in your mind at all about whether to do it. It's just my experience -- others may feel differently. -- PowerBooks is sponsored by http://lowendmac.com/ and... Small Dog Electronicshttp://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html PowerBooks list info: http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml -- AOL users, remove mailto:; Send list messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] For digest mode, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscription questions: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/ Using a Mac? Free email more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
Re: renewed book
Just to repeat, both these machines are running significantly more smoothly as a result. I'm just curious - what role does the PRAM battery actually play once the computer is RUNNING? I always thought that all the PRAM battery did is supply voltage to keep the PRAM and NVRAM from resetting when you turn off the power (keeps the RTC running, etc - when are they going to make one of these things accurate anyway?!), and that it helps keep the engine warm so to speak, so that there's enough voltage in the circuits to activate all the hardware when you push the power button. Once power is running through the power supply, the PSU provides all the necessary voltage to keep things going. Some macs can run without PRAM batteries. You can pull them out and they still boot and run (albeit, they tend to forget where and when they are, but they run just fine). The x100 series, though, needs a PRAM to provide voltage for the video circuitry to come on when you turn on the computer - a dead PRAM battery is almost always indicated when you turn on the computer and the display fails to light up. But a 9500 I used for a while had no PRAM battery at all - it was dead so I pulled it. Same with a PowerTower Pro that I own. I used that machine for the better part of a year with nothing in the PRAM battery spot. Not to rain on your parade, but I'm skeptical of your PowerBook being more stable because you replaced your battery - it's probably just a coincidence. Or maybe when you replaced the battery, you pushed the RAM in more firmly or something... Still, the 1400 is a breed apart, so who knows. I am genuinely interested to hear from an expert, though, about what role the battery plays while a Mac is actually running. Peace, Drew -- http://homepage.mac.com/alk/ There are of course many problems connected with life, of which some of the most popular are `Why are people born?' `Why do they die?' `Why do they spend so much of the intervening time wearing digital watches?' -- Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. -- PowerBooks is sponsored by http://lowendmac.com/ and... Small Dog Electronicshttp://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html PowerBooks list info: http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml -- AOL users, remove mailto:; Send list messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] For digest mode, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscription questions: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/ Using a Mac? Free email more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
Re: renewed book
Your not raining on my parade, or anyone else's -- or at least I don't think you are :-) I'm just telling you my experience. I would welcome the experts views, too. If it's because the box was taken apart and tightened up so everything inside connects better, hence works better, well, that's possible. However, this isn't the first time I've seen postings on the list mentioning better, more reliable operations after a PRAM battery replacement. I too thought that it played a much more minor role -- holding the charge during swaps, etc., which is why I put off doing it. this has always been a stable computer, but now it is even better. SO maybe the advice is to take it apart, clean everything, replace any worn parts, and put it back together and it will work better. That too makes sense, because almost anything, from cars to computers, work better when well maintained and worn parts are replaced before they break. So let's hear what other have to say. It's an interesting question. I am genuinely interested to hear from an expert, though, about what role the battery plays while a Mac is actually running. -- PowerBooks is sponsored by http://lowendmac.com/ and... Small Dog Electronicshttp://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html PowerBooks list info: http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml -- AOL users, remove mailto:; Send list messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] For digest mode, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscription questions: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/ Using a Mac? Free email more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
Re: renewed book
On Mon, 2 Dec 2002, Rick wrote: Just a quick note to say that I finally had new pram/backup batteries installed into my 1400 by a service technician last week. Of all the things I've done, this has to be the smartest. Many little inconsistent quirks have disappeared. I say this to encourage those who use 1400s which haven't had the batteries replaced to consider it if you have any question in your mind at all about whether to do it. It's just my experience -- others may feel differently. I'd like to second Rick's observation. I replaced the obviously dodgy PRAM battery (probably to be expected as it was the original, 8 year old battery) in my PowerBook 540c recently, and have not seen the return of many otherwise inexplicable freezes and bombs that I had been getting. Since I did the procedure myself, I was out only the cost of the new battery itself, and, as such, this was the most cost-effective thing that I've done to my 'Book. Just my two cents, y'all. Tyler Williams -- PowerBooks is sponsored by http://lowendmac.com/ and... Small Dog Electronicshttp://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html PowerBooks list info: http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml -- AOL users, remove mailto:; Send list messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] For digest mode, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscription questions: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/ Using a Mac? Free email more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
Re: renewed book
Just out of curiosity, what did the tech charge for the installation? I've replaced them in both of my 1400s and I know it's a little work to get at, (at the front of the lower case by the touch pad) as the plug is very tiny and the wires wrap under and through metal pieces. It is not a job for the faint of heart nor the mechanically challenged, as there are lots of parts packed in the 1400 case. Working with tweezers and a lighted magnifier are almost a must. (at least for my old eyes and fat fingers) Some people have just replaced the batteries, which requires some soldering, but the entire plug-in battery module is well worth the extra money. I found a wire frayed from rubbing on the metal framing on one of the old modules. I'm not sure what would happen if it were to ground out the battery, but it couldn't be good. David Allen tyler3rd wrote: On Mon, 2 Dec 2002, Rick wrote: Just a quick note to say that I finally had new pram/backup batteries installed into my 1400 by a service technician last week. Of all the things I've done, this has to be the smartest. Many little inconsistent quirks have disappeared. I say this to encourage those who use 1400s which haven't had the batteries replaced to consider it if you have any question in your mind at all about whether to do it. It's just my experience -- others may feel differently. -- PowerBooks is sponsored by http://lowendmac.com/ and... Small Dog Electronicshttp://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html PowerBooks list info: http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml -- AOL users, remove mailto:; Send list messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] For digest mode, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscription questions: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/ Using a Mac? Free email more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
renewed book
Just a quick note to say that I finally had new pram/backup batteries installed into my 1400 by a service technician last week. Of all the things I've done, this has to be the smartest. Many little inconsistent quirks have disappeared. I say this to encourage those who use 1400s which haven't had the batteries replaced to consider it if you have any question in your mind at all about whether to do it. It's just my experience -- others may feel differently. Cheers, Rick -- PowerBooks is sponsored by http://lowendmac.com/ and... Small Dog Electronicshttp://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html PowerBooks list info: http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml -- AOL users, remove mailto:; Send list messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] For digest mode, email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscription questions: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/ Using a Mac? Free email more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
