iBook G4 - charger problems

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Level 1

70 points

iBook G4 - charger problems

I have latest model of iBook G4, the 1.42GHz version. Machine has worked fine for a long time but battery has been almost drained. Yesterdat I started to have this weird problem where the machine insists to use the battery instead of "wall power", sorry about my english but the machine does not seemt recognize that the charger is plugged into it. Any solutions? When I get the machine to recognize the charger it works fine and stays in sleep for a night and wakes like normal in the morning so it seems strange.

PowerMac G5 DP 2.0Ghz (June 2004), Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jun 13, 2010 6:21 AM

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Answer 1

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

Jun 13, 2010 6:50 AM in response to thewk

That sounds to me like the DC-in board on your machine. You can go to iFixit.com for instructions on replacing that part and you may be able to purchase the replacement part as well.

~Lyssa

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Answer 2

thewk Author

Level 1

70 points

Jun 13, 2010 11:46 AM in response to Lyssa

Yeah, I googled around and those issues do match with what others have experienced when dc-in board was the problem. However, surprisingly the machine seems to be working again, I did not do anything special, just let the machine to rest a while. I noticed that the battery has one light constantly glowing and the next one is blinking so I guess that the battery is going to die completedly soon? I am now using the machine without the battery and it seems to be working fine.

This makes me think that maybe the real problem is the charger or maybe the battery did mess up something while slowly dying...

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Answer 3

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

Jun 13, 2010 1:25 PM in response to thewk

The issue could also be heat related, which may explain why the computer would behave properly after being allowed to sit for a while.

There is the possibility that your battery has worn out, too. The fact that one light is solid and the next is blinking should mean that the battery is charging; as the charge gets closer to completion, more lights should be solid and the last light should be blinking.

You can check the battery's health by opening up System Profiler in Applications>Utilities, then clicking on Power in the left-hand column. Take a look at the Battery information, and paste it here if you'd like.

~Lyssa

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Answer 4

thewk Author

Level 1

70 points

Jun 14, 2010 1:21 AM in response to Lyssa

OK, I haven't looked the battery before when charging so apparently that behaviour is normal. I started the machine again today and no problems, booted up at first try. I left the power cord connected over night, I will test later if it boots succesfully without being connected for a while.

If I remember right load cycles of battery were somewhere around 250 and it's capacity was very low which is easy to see since the machine does not last long with battery. I will post exact information later, I don't currently have the machine with me.

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Answer 5

thewk Author

Level 1

70 points

Jun 14, 2010 2:01 PM in response to thewk

This case is closed as far as I can tell, the answer was in the topic already, almost. The problem is the power cord of the charger, the charger is not original but el cheapo from eBay. I tested the power cord in my PC's charger and it cannot keep the green power led indicator solid all the time like it should. I tested the iBook charger with the powe cord from my Pc's charger and everything works like normal, machine boots in all circumstances and loads battery as well.

Message was edited by: thewk

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Answer 6

K Shaffer

Level 8

36,022 points

Jun 14, 2010 7:54 PM in response to thewk

The original power supply was the 65w version, for last 14" iBook G4
and also various PowerBook G4s; where the smaller 12" iBook used
a 45w version. So, it is possible with a higher demand of the device
than the power supply can support, there could be contributing issues.

I have several spare power supplies and noticed the differences among
those for iBook and PowerBook G4; the 65w model will work with most.

So, be sure to check the specs on whatever one you end up with against
those of the computer's original supply. I'm always on the lookout for
extra parts that may be handy later, or in the case of a power supply, to
have one with the portable computer and one at the home desk, saves
wear and tear, between both. The replacement available through online
Apple Store is the 65w model. (I have an Apple 65w made in Japan.)

Hopefully the issue is only the AC adapter, and the aging battery.
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

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Answer 7

thewk Author

Level 1

70 points

Jun 15, 2010 4:38 AM in response to K Shaffer

Yeah, I noticed yesterday that the power supply I have is 45W as reported by OS X information tool, or whatever it is called and I also know that latest iBook shipped with 65W by default. Of course like in PC laptops, a charger with lower wattage might work just as well. It is naturally always good to have higher rated charger, too much watts in this case is not going hurt you as the machine draws only as much as it needs.

However, I am certain that in my case the power cord was the problem, the charger itself works fine. I am currently using the machine and after changing the cord to known good one there has not been any problems.

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Answer 8

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

Jun 16, 2010 12:38 PM in response to thewk

The issue with the less-expensive chargers available on eBay is that not all of them are designed to the same standards as the adapters made by Apple. As a result, paying less money often means you're getting a lower quality product that may not be as durable.

It's definitely worth investing in either an Apple power adapter or a well-known third-party adapter, such as something available from Other World Computing at http://macsales.com.

~Lyssa

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