jeff@erhs

Q: Can I run my PowerBook g4 without a battery

Pretty sure my PowerBook G4 15" battery is dead.  Can I run my Mac while its dead? Right now the power cord is plugged in but after 12 hours it still won't power on.

Posted on Sep 1, 2013 12:43 PM

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Q: Can I run my PowerBook g4 without a battery

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Allan Jones,Helpful

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Sep 1, 2013 1:11 PM in response to jeff@erhs
    Level 8 (35,131 points)
    iPad
    Sep 1, 2013 1:11 PM in response to jeff@erhs

    Due to dead internal backup batteries (not the big main battery), many G4 PowerBooks are not cold-booting from wall power alone. New replacement backup batteries aer hard to find and require a fairly significant teardown to replace.

     

    If you don't wish the expense of a new main battery, it's likely time to shop for a newer notebook.

     

    You can get main batteries batteries here:

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple_laptop/batteries/PowerBook_G4_15_AL

     

    or here:

     

    http://www.global-batteries.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_12/products_id/10567

     

    I've done a lot of business witht eh first vendor and trust the. A friend bought two G3 PowerBook batteries from the second vendor and they have performed like original Apple units.

  • by Knucklesmac,Helpful

    Knucklesmac Knucklesmac Sep 2, 2013 8:48 AM in response to jeff@erhs
    Level 4 (2,225 points)
    Sep 2, 2013 8:48 AM in response to jeff@erhs

    Hello,

     

    Has your powerbook only stopped working since the main battery has become dead?

    It should work fine without a battery. When you plug the power adapter in, do you get a green light?

  • by jeff@erhs,

    jeff@erhs jeff@erhs Sep 2, 2013 10:55 AM in response to Knucklesmac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 2, 2013 10:55 AM in response to Knucklesmac

    I just recently attempted to start it after not using it for a couple months.  The battery was not holding much of a charge during its last use. 

    I am using an after market power supply which  is in good working condition.  There is a green light lit on the power supply but it is not like the old original power supply with the orange to green ring around the plug.  As far as I know the laptop has been updated as much as it can be considering its age.  I am hoping for a magic trick to wake it up.  Based on one reply it looks like I might need to buy a battery.

  • by Allan Jones,Solvedanswer

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Sep 2, 2013 12:18 PM in response to Knucklesmac
    Level 8 (35,131 points)
    iPad
    Sep 2, 2013 12:18 PM in response to Knucklesmac

    Hi Knuckles,

     

    My circa 2003 PBG4 17-inch will not start immediately if the battery is drained--I have to wait about 5-10 minutes for it to start on its own while the charger pumps a little charge into the main battery.

     

    It will not start at all without a battery installed due to a dead PRAM battery. Tried with three known-good chargers.

     

    I believe such troubles are the combination of no charge on the main battery and a dead PRAM battery. If you can find a new PRAM battery, the installation is not for the weak of heart! Too many of the repalcement batteries offered for the majority of PBG4s are, when you read the fine print, used or pulled. It's like buying used chewing gum!

     

    This is the only PRAM battery for later PowerBooks that OWC sells:

     

    Newer Technology Replacement PRAM/clock battery for PowerBook G4 17" Aluminum 1.67GHz systems

     

    Nothing for other models except the titanium PBs

  • by Knucklesmac,

    Knucklesmac Knucklesmac Sep 2, 2013 1:49 PM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 4 (2,225 points)
    Sep 2, 2013 1:49 PM in response to Allan Jones

    Hello Allan,

     

    Nice to see you again.

    Got to be honest, I've never had this problem with any of my PowerBooks inclusive of my 17" 1.67Ghz.

    I've currently got a 1.5Ghz PowerBook 15" that does need a new PRAM. Even now taking out the battery and using a 65W power supply it starts fine. Not to say that what your saying is wrong. Sounds logical to me that it might not start for 5-10 min while it puts a little charge into the main battery.

     

    One thing that concerns me about buying a replacement PRAM is like you will described, "Used Chewing Gum"

    For one of my PowerBooks I ended up soldering a new PRAM battery into its casing,  to make double sure it was new and fully working.

  • by Knucklesmac,

    Knucklesmac Knucklesmac Sep 2, 2013 1:53 PM in response to jeff@erhs
    Level 4 (2,225 points)
    Sep 2, 2013 1:53 PM in response to jeff@erhs

    Hello,

     

    After market power supplies or 3rd Party adapters can be the problem.

    I've known brand new ones not to power a PowerBook despite being correct voltages.

    Where possible I always use Apple adapters, even if that means buying secondhand good condition ones.

     

    Have you tested the power adapter with another PowerBook and is it the correct wattage being 65W and not 45W

     

    If you do buy a replacement battery, try where possible to buy an Apple one. If not a good quality one.

    Allan Jones may well know where the best place to get a replacement main battery from.

  • by dalstott,

    dalstott dalstott Sep 2, 2013 3:37 PM in response to jeff@erhs
    Level 4 (2,625 points)
    Sep 2, 2013 3:37 PM in response to jeff@erhs

    For future reference if you decide to replace the G4 Powerbook with another one. The 12" G4 Powerbook does not have a PRAM battery to go dead and cause difficulties. Instead they use power from the main battery and a capacitor on the logic board to maintain the clock.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TA25911?view

  • by antanya,

    antanya antanya Sep 15, 2013 1:06 AM in response to dalstott
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 15, 2013 1:06 AM in response to dalstott

    Hello, I have just bought a replacement battery for my powerbook 15" and it stopped working after three weeks so have sent it back and am hpoing for a refund, not happy with their service at all. Then I contacted OWC who gave me their reseller here in the UK

    http://www.thebookyard.com/contact.php

    who seem authentic and have been very helpful.

     

    However my immediate problem is that I have no battery (dropped off the old one at an Apple store for recycling) and sent the new/faulty one back. Can i connect it to the mains without the battery inside until I wait for a new one to come?

     

    Also very interesting to hear about chargers, I bought two non-Apple replacement one, one didn't work after a week and the current one doesn't charge as well takes longer and has no light indicator.

  • by Knucklesmac,

    Knucklesmac Knucklesmac Sep 15, 2013 2:58 AM in response to antanya
    Level 4 (2,225 points)
    Sep 15, 2013 2:58 AM in response to antanya

    I should have read that you was in the UK. I would have recommend The Book Yard. I get all of my replacement batteries and other spares for my iBook's and PowerBooks from them. They are helpful people.

    Funny you should say about buying a battery from them, I recently brought a spare for my 15" PowerBook from them, it was something like 49 pound. For a new original Apple battery wasn't bad at all.

     

    No indicator light does put me off those 3rd party power packs. I would stay clear of them.

    Some times you get some people selling the original power supplies on eBay at very reasonable prices.

    The last one I picked up was something like 20 pound.

     

    Yes you can plug your PowerBook into the mains without a battery and use it. Just be careful not to unplug it while it's on. May become frustrating while your doing something on it, for the plug to be pulled/switched off

  • by antanya,

    antanya antanya Sep 15, 2013 3:34 AM in response to Knucklesmac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 15, 2013 3:34 AM in response to Knucklesmac

    Thank you! that is all very helpful and good to get a direct recommendation for The Book Yard, espcially that it will be a miracle if I get a refund from the other company who have been stringing me along for a week when I asked for a refund using their 30 day money back guarantee.

     

    Yes I think soon I will look to replace this current charger too The Book Club has then and I might just pay the extra knowing that they are reliable. Buying something a little cheaper obviously doesn't pay off in the long run! But I will have a look on ebay.

     

    Thank you once again!