Gary - former developer
Level 1 (96 points)

Q: Resurrecting a Pismo?

I have G3 Pismo that I've neglected for many years. I think I last used in in 2004.

 

Yesterday I decided to turn it on again. My first problem was a dead (I mean REALLY dead) battery, I plugged the AC charger in and let the unit "charge" for an hour.

 

Nothing. I checked the AC adapter and discovered it had failed. So I got a second one out of the closet. It tested ok so I plugged it in for an hour as well.

 

NADA! I then took the battery completely out and tried to power up the computer that way. It didn't.

So Can I run a Pismo without the battery?

 

If not, I will get a battery. But if SO, is there something else I can try before declaring the Pismo "recycleable"?

 

 

Gary

Posted on Apr 19, 2012 2:12 PM

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Gary - former developer

Q: Resurrecting a Pismo?

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Apr 19, 2012 11:52 PM in response to Gary - former developer
    Level 8 (40,249 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 19, 2012 11:52 PM in response to Gary - former developer

    That happened to me a few years back, when my main battery died (reached its charge cycle limit).  It held ZERO charge.  The problem in my case was that the small backup battery was also dead (apparently had been for a while).  This is a small rechargeable battery that acts as "backup" for the main battery, when you do things like put the Pismo to sleep to swap the main battery on a long plane trip.  It was also dead and holding zero charge.  With both batteries dead, my Pismo was dead (even when connected to power).

     

    I got a replacement battery from OWC, put it in, and it worked again.  The backup battery is still dead (never replaced it), but it works fine that way (as long as the main battery is working).

     

    BUT just in case your problem is different, try resetting the PMU (power management)

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431

     

    Pismo is "PowerBook (FireWire)."  The procedure involves pressing the little recessed button on the back.

  • by dalstott,

    dalstott dalstott Apr 20, 2012 9:24 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 4 (2,625 points)
    Apr 20, 2012 9:24 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    If you have the tools you can replace the pram battery yourself. See this guide.

     

    http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-PowerBook-G3-Pismo-PRAM-Battery/21/1