clock resets

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Level 1

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clock resets

When I remove and return the battery the clock resets, telling me something inside is not remembering. Also, twice before when running on battery it gave me a 10-second warning it was going to do something if I didn't do something pretty soon, and it powered down immediately and would not come back on until I connected it to line current, at which time the calendar had reset to something like 1969. These two behaviors suggest there is something inside that is supposed to be keeping track of what's going on but it's not. Any ideas?

PowerBook G4, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Sep 26, 2012 8:00 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 26, 2012 8:09 AM in response to Richard NYC

Hello,

That would be your PRAM battery need to be replaced. These are small button cells which backup the settings like your clock. I'm going to assume you have the 15" or 17" model of PowerBook?

You could buy a PRAM battery and fit yourself (easy enough to do with the right tools)

Like to help: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-PowerBook-G4-Aluminum-15-Inch-1-1-5-GHz-P RAM-Battery/224/1

Or you cna pay a computer repair shop to do it for you.

Best of Luck

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Answer 2

Richard NYC Author

Level 1

1 points

Sep 26, 2012 8:23 AM in response to Knucklesmac

Thanks. It's 12". Does that make any difference?

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Answer 3

Sep 26, 2012 8:30 AM in response to Richard NYC

Hello,

Yes it does, as a 12" don't have a PRAM battery. It uses a board mounted capacitor.

try resetting the PMU

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Answer 4

Richard NYC Author

Level 1

1 points

Sep 26, 2012 8:35 AM in response to Knucklesmac

This sounds like a last resort in case it won't start or something like that. It is running OK and the only problem I detect at present is that the clock resets when the battery is removed and put back. Is it worth doing the PMU reset if that's all?

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Answer 5

Sep 26, 2012 8:42 AM in response to Richard NYC

I don't think it would do any harm.

I've got the same issue with my G4 iBook. That has a capacitor for the PRAM settings. Whenever I take the battery off, it don't keep it settings. I can only assume the capacitor is coming to the end of it's useful life. The only option is to replace the capacitor, but that requires soldering.

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Answer 6

Richard NYC Author

Level 1

1 points

Sep 26, 2012 9:12 AM in response to Knucklesmac

Well, I did the reset and the first result was that it had lost the "favorite" network, which I refound. I removed the battery and replaced it and it seems to have retained the date, so I guess we're cool. Thanks.

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