HELP! I cant startup my new powerbook

Question

I cant start up my Powerbook unless the AC adapter is plugged in!! does anyone now why this is and how to fix it?? I didn't calibrate my battery properly when I first got it, (due to excitement and not reading instructions first) is this why?? I have since calibrated it but still no joy!

Answer 1

There have been reports of dead batteries in recent Powerbooks. To check, do the following;
Go to The Blue Apple in the top corner.
Click it, then click "about this mac"
Then click "more info" - This will open the system profiler.
In the top "view" menu, make sure "full" is ticked.
Then look on the left and click Power.
It will show if a battery is plugged in and the various specs.
The cycle count is the number of times the battery has drained and recharched completely. For a new battery this will be a lowish number.
The max capacity is measured in mAh (milliamp hours). For a new battery it should be 5500 - I think for a 17 inch, 4400 for a 15 inch - You might want to check. If it is much less, then call Apple.
The current amount of charge is also measured in mAh - so if the battery is holding 50% you will see 2750 or so
The amperage tells you how much power is going to or from th ebattery - if the battery is full, amperage is 0. When the battery is charging, amperage is a positive number - it should be charging if it is less than 99% charged. When running off the battery, amperage is a negative number as power is being drained from the battery - so if drawing 1100 milliamps per hour with a capacity of 4400mAh you would expect to get 4 hours of use. Work out what your battery will give you.
So - take a look at those numbers and work out if the numbers make sense. If not, call Apple