Pismo freezing up

2 days ago my pismo froze up, unresponsive and the cursor wouldn't move. i turned it off but i could still hear the hard drive on. removed the battery and power, put them back in and it didn't start the first couple of times but then did. it had been feeling extra warm lately so i elevated off the table and it seemed to help. i ran maintinence and disk utility, there is one problem that it cannot repair but everything else is fine. i pressed in the processor chip again as this had been a problem in the past. it has been running for a few hours here and there but is still freezing up. i don't have much room left on my hard drive and i noticed that it freezed up more after i had put some mp3's on. deleted them and it ran again. just now, the fan kicked on thus making me think that it is not a temprature problem. currently i am operating with the battery removed and on ac power only.
anyone have any ideas?

Erin:
i don't have much room left on my hard drive
As a brody noted, if your HDD is more than 85% full, it is too full and can not only cause performance issues, as noted, but also serious directory corruption, consequent loss of data and, eventually, a HDD crash.
Here's what I suggest:
1. Relieve some of the pressure by freeing up some disk space. Dr. Smoke's FAQ Freeing space on your Mac OS X startup disk has recommendations of how to go about this.
2. Take immediate steps to repair directory corruption which Disk Utility can't repair by using a third party utility like Tech Tool Pro, Disk Warrior or DriveGenius.
3. Install a larger HDD, like one of these at OWC. If you are at handy you can do it yourself with directions like:
PowerBook G3 Firewire Hard Drive Upgrade
ifixit PowerBook G3 Pismo
Please do post back with further questions, comments, or update.
Good luck.
cornelius
Message was edited by: cornelius

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Pismo Freezes with Netgear WG511T + Orangeware driver - Please Help

Hello,
For months I have been using Orangeware wireless driver on my Pismo G3/400 OSX 10.4 in combination with Netgear WG511T card with no problems at all.
Suddenly one day a black square appeared on the grey background when booting my Pismo. I red that is something to do with Kernel Panic but I don’t know much about that.
So it took several rebooting until Pismo appeared to be OK. But then a few times the screen just went black. That eventually stopped but instead Pismo would just freeze.
I then discovered that if I take my Netgear card out my Pismo, it unfreezes and start to work normally. If I then try to insert the card again while the computer is on the card wouldn’t connect with my router but only one LED would flash.
I eventually reinstalled OS but to no avail. I am so puzzled.
I would be ever so grateful if somebody could make a logical sense of all these symptoms.
Many thanks again
Alex
PowerBook G3 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Alex,
Sorry to hear of your contuing problems...
The PC card icon in the menu bar is reporting as expected; see the bottom of this page:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Buffalo/BUF80211B/
Have you tried a Safe Boot (restart pressing the shift key), then inserting the card?
Have you uninstalled the Orangeware software?
Have you run Software Update to get the latest AirPort software? It is now up to version 4.2. My suggestion is after Software Update has checked what you need, go to the menu bar > Update > Download Only. You can then restart the computer with shift key down (Safe Boot/Safe Mode) and then run the installers.
I have no idea if any of this will work, but give it a try.
If you have access to a FireWire PC card, pop it in and see if the Pismo freezes; this card is natively supported by OSX. If you wish to test the FireWire card, you will need a FireWire HD that has its own power supply since PC cards supply little bus power.

Pismo Freezes-Up...Fan Problem???

For the past week my Pismo has been freezing-up after 30-45 minutes of web surfing (its primary use). Suspecting the problem might be an overheating issue, I elevated it a few inches off the table; this didn't solve the problem. Usually the fan switches on after 90+ minutes of web surfing, but I don't regularly use the Pismo that long at one time so I usually don't hear the fan (and I haven't heard the fan working in a while). My Pismo definitely gets hot after 30+ minutes of use, so I'm thinking it is overheating (leading to the freeze-ups) because the fan is broken and needs replacing.
1) Do you think the freeze-ups are heat related?
2) If yes, is the fan not switching on the problem?
3) How hard is it to replace the fan? I can change the usual things (items directly under the keyboard - hd, ram, wireless card, etc.), but from searching on the web it looks like replacing the fan requires, among other things, removing the screen (which I've always heard is hard to take off and put back on) and then taking off the bottom of the Pismo.
Thanks.
Powerbook G3 Pismo Mac OS X (10.3.9) Firefox 1.5.0.8

nomad,
When it freezes, can you immediately restart, or do you have to wait a period of time before it will start? If it does restart immediately, will it run another 30 minutes?
You mentioned it is freezing after 30 minutes, so if it normally takes 90 minutes before the fan runs, you really don't know that the fan is dead. These fans seldom run, so it is unlikely (but not impossible) the fan is still quite healthy.
There are many reasons for your Pismo to freeze, so it is worth looking at them.
1. Marginal RAM: You may have memory that has developed an intolerance to heat. If you have two modules, each at least 128MB in size, you can test each individually.
2. Poorly seated microprocessor card: The Pismo has a microprocessor card that is difficult to seat. If it has been removed for memory or HD changes and not properly seated, it can slowly work loose over time and cause the freezes you are experiencing.
3. Poor thermal transfer between the heat sink and the top of the CPU: If the heat sink has been removed, the thermal transfer pad between the two items should be replaced since it usually tears resulting in poor heat transfer. The CPU may heat enough, locally, to cause a freeze before the fan starts.
4. Circuit boards: You may have developed a hairline crack in one of the boards which opens when heated.
I would try these possible fixes:
- If you have the Apple Hardware Test CD that came with new Pismos, give it a run in the extended mode. See if it can generate the freeze and produce an error message.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=112433
- Reseat the microprocessor card; use Apple's instructions for installing RAM in the lower slot...it will describe reseating the microprocessor. When the top memory module is removed, press down VERY hard where indicated by the instructions.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=50028
- Do you still have OS9 installed? If so, download Newer Gauge PRO and run the extended memory test.
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/4512

Pismo freezes if screen is touched

my friend has a 400mhz pismo w/ 512mb (running latest panther) and whenever she touches or moves the screen at all (for example to plug in her ipod or anything else) the computer will freeze, forcing her to force the restart of her computer. i'm probably going to reinstall osx for her anyway bc her hd is a mess but are there any suggestions for fixing this annoying problem?
i saw another post where the computer lost power if the screen was moved and taking off and reattaching the display seemed to solve the problem. unfortunately i don't have any torx screwdrivers to do that. any other suggestions?
thanks
dominik

Dominik,
You are correct in assuming this is a hardware issue and does turn up occasionally on these boards. Usually the problem is a poorly seated component or possibly a connector that has developed some oxidation. Moving the display flexes or torques the body of the powerbook and causes the brief loss of contact.
I don't believe the display itself would cause this problem; if the data ribbon cable, for example, that runs through the clutch (hinge) is worn/damaged, it will scramble the display but not cause a freeze. Probably the Pismo to which you are referring, which lost power and was corrected with a display removal/reinstall, had another component reseated in the disassembly process.
You may wish to try this first: Lift off the keyboard and lay it face down on the palm rest...no need to disconnect the ribbon cable; lift off the aluminum heat shield; remove the top memory module; press down VERY hard on the right side of the microprocessor card next to the HD and closest to the palm rest. The Pismo has a difficult card to properly seat. At this point, you could just connect the power adapter, start up, then flex the 'book. A poorly seated microprocessor card might exhibit the behavior you describe.
If the problem is still present, you will want to progress further is the disassembly. Please read this document closely (memory: both slots) before moving into the 'book.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=50028
There is also a good assembly guide here:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/6.0.0.html

Pismo Freezes

Hi,
I have a 400 MHz Pismo. Basically when it boots it gets all the way to the log in window and then when you start logging in it freezes. I tried running tech tools on it and It loads Tech Tools up and then freezes mid operation with the round rainbow wheel present. Anybody have any thoughts? It also doen't chime on start up and I don't see any LED light in the bezel window.

Will it boot in Safe Mode? See
What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? (Mac OS X)
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107392
*Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck*
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
 Cheers, Tom

Pismo Freezes or Shuts Down When Moved

Hi All,
I am the proud owner of a much souped-up Pismo that is my primary computer for work. I have dealt with many issues over the years from PRAM battery to replacing the hinges (that was the worst, by far).
But now I have a new problem and I hope someone can help. I assume this is a hardware issue, and I THINK it's a power issue but I'm not sure. Whenever I move the computer, even slightly, it freezes. Say it's up and running, I"m listening to iTunes and working in Word. If I even nudge the base of the computer it freezes. If I pick it up, it goes dark and appears to shut off altogether. So far I haven't lost any work, but obviously this is an untenable situation.
I'm really loathe to take it apart down to the power area (been there and it ain't pretty), so I hope someone has a nifty solution, or at least a good idea where to start.
Thanks,
GB

Probably I can't be of much help since I don't have a Pismo, but this sounds a lot like a loose connection somewhere. It may be worth reseating any flex cables that are easy to get to and maybe even checking for physical damage like a broken trace that sometimes makes contact and sometimes doesn't. It seems to me that if it were a basic power problem, it would be shutting down instead of freezing. Just my 2¢ worth until someone who actually knows something sees this and gives you a better answer.
Good luck!

Pismo freezes when optical drive is in expansion bay

I have a PowerBook G3 Pismo/2000/Firewire with OS 10.4.11 installed. Suddenly, it won't boot up with the Optical Drive in the bay. It boots fine without the drive.
With the drive, the grey screen comes up and the Apple logo appears. The rotating circle never appears and it just freezes.
If I boot with the drive out, and then insert the drive the computer freezes and is totally unresponsive.
Has anyone experienced this problem or have any suggestions. I was going to run the Hardware Test disc, but since the Optical Drive cannot be used that is a problem.

esqjd,
I am glad you had the use of another Pismo for testing; my analysis was obviously wrong, and I thank you for replying with additional info.
Regarding your HD: I did not mean to suggest it was the source of the problem, only that a bad HD can cause similar problems.
First, I should have suggested you reset the PRAM to cover all bases:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238
If the PRAM reset does not help, I would run another test: Shut off the Pismo and install the optical drive > open the tray by pushing an opened paperclip into the little hole next to the button > place a bootable CD or DVD in the tray and close > power on while pressing the 'option' key > if the Startup Manager appears, select the CD or DVD > select the 'continue' arrow > see if it will continue to boot.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106178
The purpose of this procedure is to test for a hardware or software problem. Starting to the Startup Manager all occurs in firmware until you select the CD or DVD, then the software begins to load. If your Pismo will perform normally and boot to the optical drive, then you probably have a software problem on the HD.
If you reach the Startup Manager but the CD or DVD will not boot, double-check the optical drive on the other Pismo by following the same procedure.

Upgrade of OS 9.1 to 9.2.1 to 9.2.2 errors and system freezes on a G3 Pismo

I am trying to upgrade OS 9.1 to 9.1.2 to 9.2.2
I have downloaded both upgrade packages onto my G5 iMac, burnt them on to a CD and copied them onto a G3 Pismo Powerbook.
I unstuff the 9.2.1 upgrade download with its .smi suffix using Stuffit Expander 5.5. This produces a folder called Mac OS 9.2.1 Update. I click on the icon called 'Mac OS Install' select my country (UK). destination disk, accept licence and so on and then click start. The installation process starts and then hangs after about 3 minutes. The error messages include 'Sorry: a system error occured: Restart' (with the bomb icon), 'Installer Engine CHK Error' and Error -10 and others. Restarting the machine and trying to install again does no good. I can get no further and have not tried to do anything yet with the 9.2.2 upgrade.
I have opened Preferences in Stuffit Expander and unchecked the Mount Disk Images option via the "Disk Image" tab.
I'd reallly appreciate some help on this one. Thanks.
Nick
G5 iMac Mac OS X (10.4.6)
G5 iMac Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Hi, Nicholas -
Some things to try -
(1) If you happen to have an extension named something like "Epson scanner monitor" installed, try disabling it in Extensions Manager, and then restarting.
(2) Try disconnecting all external devices. If you are using a supplemental keyboard or mouse, try using an Apple labelled one, or none.
(3) Be sure you have the PowerBook plugged into live power, and that it is not running off of the battery.
(4) Try switching the Selected Set of extensions to Mac OS All or Mac OS Base - you can do that via the Selected Set pulldown menu in Extensions Manager. Restart to make the change effective.
(5) If necessary, boot to your most recent OS 9 Install CD valid for that machine - this provides a perfect software environment for updating the OS. You can still use a higher-version updater to update the OS on the hard drive while booted to the CD.

1Ghz TiBook - Random freezing. Logic board fault?

Hi all,
perhaps one of you might be able to help troubleshoot this, because it's seriously driving me up the wall! I bought a used 1Ghz Titanium (DVI) recently and I'm finding that it freezes randomly when in use, requiring a comand+control restart. I've almost always experienced it in Safari, but also once in Entourage, illustrator and also in MacOS 9.2.2 Finder. Essentially what happens is that the cursor freezes and the powerbook no longer responds to keystrokes or trackpad input. I've tried an external mouse but that doesn't fix things either. The display is still lit but any moving graphics/video are frozen on screen. If music is playing in iTunes it cuts out leaving the last second of sound looping. Shortly after freezing I sometimes hear the fan come on, so perhaps there is a part of the powerbook still working after the crash (?). Also, I can select/deselect the caps lock and number lock keys and the green LEDs switch on and off, so perhaps it's not completely dead? The moment of the freeze almost always coincides with a mouse/trackpad click on the scroll bar, menu, safari menu bar, dock icon, form submit button, etc. It will on occasion freeze overnight when there is no mousing at all. generally though I can leave it playing iTunes all night and when I start using it in the morning it'll freeze when I collect my email or something.
the frequency of the freezing is semi-random; I have gone for roughly 48hrs of constant use without incident and then suddenly 2-4 crashes in short succession (ie, within about 10 mins of each other). Generally it freezes about 2 or 3 times a day. They do often come regular clumps.
Initially I thought it was Safari, or the OSX 10.4.5 installation that came with the powerbook, but I removed the entire HD and replaced it with the working drive from my Pismo and had exactly the same symptoms. Realising it was hardware related I did the usual drill of swapping, re-seating and removing ram, etc - but no dice. I've run Apple Hardware Test in a couple of 18hr loops but they return a glowing report about my hardware! techtool does likewise. I took it to the new Apple Centre in London where they ran their (apparently more powerful) AHT CD for 73 loops over 3 hours. Again, no reported errors!
I've read the long 'trackpad cable thread', and opened my powerbook to see if pinching the cable is an issue, but it's clearly not. I have lots of clearance around my trackpad cable and it's not in contact with any part of the case. I've even applied pressure all around the palmrest and the outside of my powerbook case hoping to induce a freeze but that doesn't seem to do anything.
What should I do next? when the powerbook works it's fine, but I'm at a loss as to what's causing the freezing. As a performing musician playing to hundreds of people a fault like this renders my powerbook useless since it must be absolutely stable and bullet-proof on stage.
thanks for reading and I'm grateful for any advice.
TiBook 1Ghz (DVI) Mac OS X (10.3.9) 9600/350

hi there,
thanks for the welcome. i've been visiting here for a while and find all the posts very useful.
the trackpad issue is an odd one; my powerbook doesn't seem to show the classic symptoms of weird startup chimes or jerky cursor movement, etc in the other thread. I nonetheless opened up the powerbook praying that I'd find a pinched cable since that would have been so easy to fix. unfortunately there's nothing about it that looks problematic.
I had also suspected heat as being an issue and searched this forum a couple of times for related posts, but couldn't find anything. When I opened the powerbook i checked the fans for obstructions and blew out any dust i could see (i didn't have compressed gas). Again, they looked fairly normal to me - i didn't spot anything obvious like a trapped cable. As far as I can tell all 3 fans come on OK. First one of them and then after some time another one or two turn on after the powerbook has been running a while. (Is it actually possible to determine whether or not they're all working?)
It's difficult to say whether heat is actually related to the freezing. certainly I often notice the fans come on before a freeze, or right afterwards, but just as many times that's not the case. what is consistant however is that the freeze occurs the instance a cursor selection is clicked.
would you say this would be resolved by a logic board swap, because I know someone selling one. On the other hand, I'm a little confused by all the error-free reports I get when I run the Apple Hardware Test for extened loops.
thanks again for your help!

Pismo w/panther needs to create bootable OS9 partition for firmware update

Hi guys -
I have the original software install and software restore cds that came with my pismo, and I'm sure there must be a way to install OS9 onto a partition on my pismo from there without erasing any of the data or OSX10.3 on the other partition. Years ago when the original hard drive died, I simply bought and installed Panther and didn't install os9 anywhere.
Now I've picked up a MBP and am unable to complete the Migration Assistant data transfer from the pismo to the mbp using FW (it recognizes the info on the pismo, but stalls during transfer at 8.1 hours to go!) because (it seems) I never installed the 4.1.8 firmware update on the pismo when the update came out. The update requires a boot from a local Mac OS 9.1 writeable partition.
So, essentially, I'm looking to install os9 off of one of the original powerbook install/restore cds onto an empty partition I've prepared on the pismo so I can update the firmware and then complete the migration to the mbp.
1. Is there a way to check the pismo's current firmware (in case I've already installed it years ago and forgot?)
2. Is there a simpler way to get OS9 onto the pismo?
3. Is there a simpler way to migrate my data to the MBP? (Other than pick up a 2.5" FW enclosure, remove the hd from the pismo and do it from there?)
4. If no, to the above questions, How do I do this?
Thanks for any help!

Hi Tom -
Thanks for replying so quickly, and the tip on how to find the current firmware info !
I just checked and my pismo is also running Boot ROM Version: 3.2.4f1
However, my concern isn't how well or whether it can run Tiger - it's the machine's ability to run in Firewire Target Disk Mode. And the update in question is intended to address the pismo's shortcomings there (it's mentioned in the ReadMe file that comes with the update). It's in the apple document for troubleshooting Migration Assistant that I discovered the existence of this update. The process for me freezes...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25773
Nice to hear that Tiger runs well on the pismo though, I'll bear it in mind for the future.
Here's what I've done since posting my initial question:
I inserted the Software Restore CD and copied over all the files from it onto my partition. System Preferences<Startup Disk recognized an OS9 system file on the partition, and I selected it as my startup disk. Unfortunately, on restart I got the question mark flashing over the folder, and the pismo booted up from the Software Restore CD still in the drive. The CD did not identify my HD as viable to be restored to, something like there was nothing to restore and I must install software instead.
I am very wary of doing an install because I doubt the partition will be detected and of course the Install CD will erase the contents of my hard drive during the install. I'm tempted to pick up a cheap hd and install OS9 on that for the update, but there must be a way to get it onto the partition without wiping everything out!
Any additional help would be appreciated!
Best
Steve

Powerbook G3 (Pismo) & OSX Tiger

Hi
I have a 500mhz G3 Pismo. I've upgraded the HardDrive to 60Gig 7200rpm and the RAM is 640mb. I'm running OSX 3.9 but I stopped updating there because I was worried that Tiger might be a paw (sorry-step) too far for this computer?
Can anyone inform me as to whether installing the latest version of Tiger might cause problems or slow my powerbook down as compared to OSX 3.9 ?
Many thanks
Barry
PowerBook G3500mhz Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Yah, love my Pismo too~ Just sharing the Dashboard issue I see on the iMac G5 at work. When I go to Dashboard, it always goes like this: screen dims and widgets move in from the edge of the screen but freeze halfway for 2 seconds or so. Don't know how it's like on a Pismo G4. I'm not upgrading to Tiger because a certain language input method is missing in it. So I don't have first-hand experience on the speed of Dashboard on Pismo. Maybe it's just that the iMac I use at work is slow with Dashboard. I've heard that Pismo's start-up speed is the fastest of all Apple laptops, even compared with MacBook Pro Core Duo 2.16 GHz (first-hand experience by 2 guys at the other forum). I guess different configuration causes this. Hope Barry is getting along with his new Tiger~
powerbook g3 firewire Mac OS X (10.3.9) XLR8 G4 upgraded

Weird Pismo antics...

OK...here goes...got a Pismo which has been behaving badly for a couple months...nothing earth-shattering...but causing enough annoyance for me to consider retirement (something I REALLY don't want to do...since it's my primary traveling machine)...
I finally updated the firmware to 4.1.8f5 and things started getting flaky...when I reimaged the machine for OS9 (had been tiger only for a while) I had to disable ATI Accelerator and ATI Video Accelerator to get it to load OS9 completely...
DVD player no longer works...starts to load then freezes...
I have two processors (original 400Mhz G3 and 550Mhz G4)...several sticks of memory (a few 512MB and the original 64MB)...and a few hard drives (100GB, 60GB and original 10GB)...I've swapped parts around with no luck...
One thing I'd like to try would be to reapply the firmware patch (possible something went pear-shaped during the initial install of it???)...but it won't allow...is there a way to force the firmware update???
...any thoughts or ideas would be extremely helpful...thanks in advance...

Kenichi Watanabe wrote:
I had to disable ATI Accelerator and ATI Video Accelerator to get it to load OS9 completely...
That could be a clue... Since you were able to trouble-shoot by swapping out most of the parts except for the motherboard, that may be the problem. The ATI chips are there too.
I'm not entirely sure...everything works well under Panther (I gave up on Tiger because of all the niggling little faults like dealing with optical discs and having the machine huccup whenever I put in a CD or DVD...but oddly I do miss Dashboard and Safari 3)...
...the reason I'm doubting the Rage 128 is I just got done playing Diablo II without a hitch or any issues whatsoever...

Freezes up here and there?

I just reinstalled Mac OSX and even though it runs a lot more smoothly it does freeze up once in a while for simple opperations. Does anyone know why this might be and how I can resolve by a daily maintenance opperation or something? please let me know.
P.S. I already use a program called Onyx for maintenance and clean up.
Dorian

Dorian:
Check out Gulliver's excellent article on OS Maintenance. It contains good tips plus links to resources. Here is the URL: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=607640&#607640
Good luck.
cornelius
PismoG4 550, 100GB 5400 Toshiba internal, 1 GB RAM; Pismo 500 OS X (10.4.5) Mac OS X (10.4.5) Beige G3 OS 8.6

PowerBook Constant Freeze and Graphics Problems

I have a Powerbook 12" 1.33Ghz Leopard 10.5.2 , I star to work in anything and in a few minutes its freezes and appears a Kernel Panic or de backend System Text start to output reports overwriting the last graphic image.. here a picture..
http://cyberkiko3d.com/down/photo.jpg
I remove the memory card, and stills hapening..
I want to know is this is just a kernel problem that it stops formating or is a hardware problem involving the LogicBoard or Graphic Card..
Thanks

I guess memory can fail over time. I just haven't experienced it myself. (Or heard of it, but it is a piece of hardware).
You can test your RAM by either using your system installation / restore discs (the original grey discs that came with your machine) and pop in Disc 1 and reboot the computer holding down the OPTION key and from there, you will get the choice for Apple Hardware Test, which you can use to do a basic test of your RAM.
Second, if you ever signed up for AppleCare and got the TechTool Deluxe disc that comes with it, you can use that too for a more extensive RAM test. Just be careful not to use it to diagnose anything with your hard drive. Just use it for RAM. (Be warned, as their is an incompatibility with Tiger that can ruin your drive. Though I see you have Leopard, so don't even know if it works).
The other test you can do, as suggested by many of the top users in these forums is "Rember" which tests your RAM and should let you know what's going on. I used it once after using it as a suggestion (taking someone else's suggestion and using it for my own testing) and it showed the second module of memory that I bought on eBay--the one that doesn't cause kernel panics--to pass.
You can find that here: [http://www.kelleycomputing.net:16080/rember>
Also, when you get your RAM replacement, I highly recommend getting Apple OEM suppliers such as modules from Samsung, Hynix, or Micron (manufactured by Crucial). They should be trouble free.
I say should because the Samsung 1GB module I bought for my 12-inch PowerBook from OtherWorld Computing has worked flawlessly for almost two years now. The one I was talking about previously, that crashed my 15-inch machine? A Samsung one as well. So, it is true that these Aluminum PowerBook G4s are picky about the RAM installed.
Message was edited by: Pismo 900
I forgot to ask you... what brand RAM do you have installed? (If you know and it is labeled).

Dead Pismo

Hello I have a 500 MHz PB G3 Pismo model that won't power up at all. Its been sitting for a couple of months, so I tried all of the suggestions on the board (particularly jpl's posts) as fas as using the reset switch, disconnecting the PRAM battery, main battery and just booting with the AC adapter, disconnecting the keyboard, but none have help resolve the issue. Odd thing that happens also, it that after I hit the power button, and I check the keyboard for any type of activity by hitting the caps lock key, I see that the green LED on the caps key will light. Can anyone provide some more troubleshooting or ideas?
Thanks, Tom
powebook G3 pismo Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Tom,
The minimum bus speed for memory for the Pismo is PC100. Faster memory like the PC133 you have installed is backwards-compatible with PC100...it will just run at the slower bus speed. I have never read of a problem on the Pismo with mixing memory speeds nor do memory vendors specifically prohibit it.
Here is the PC100 and PC133 RAM that OWC sells:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iBooks-PowerBooks/G3-Pismo/
Regarding the intermittent startup: When it fails to boot, does pressing the reset button on the back panel make any difference. If so, it can indicate a failed backside L2 cache or a problem with the CPU or logic board. If you have the Apple Hardware Test CD that came with new Pismos, give it a run. If you have ANY bootable Classic CD or 9.x installed on the HD, cold start, not a restart, to 9.x and see if you get any kind of a warning about hardware.
You may also have a hairline crack in one of the many circuit boards that opens a circuit when the 'book is torqued or gets hot. There have been many posts on these boards over the years where a user has a similar problem, completely disassembles/cleans his 'book, then reassembles, and the 'book runs fine for a period of time, then won't start or freezes constantly. You have a very hard problem to diagnose.

Pismo freezing up

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