PowerBook G4 won't charge battery

Hi all
My last-generation PowerBook G4 won't charge its battery. It will run fine off of its power adapter, but it won't attempt to charge the battery, which the system states as having a 0% charge.
I don't think it's the battery; the last time I ran the PowerBook off the battery a few weeks ago, the battery was still holding a charge for over an hour. The battery has been used for 179 cycles; iStat Pro describes the battery health as being 87% (this may be wrong, of course, since it is also describing the battery as charged). The PowerBook just isn't trying to push a charge to the battery.
I only use my PowerBook every so often; usually it spends its time off, and not plugged in. Last time I found the battery had completely drained, to the extent that the clock has lost its time, so I put it on to charge, and left it. The next time I tried to use it was when I realised it wasn't charging. The notebook hasn't taken a knock that I'm aware of (at least, a new one), so I'm not sure why this is suddenly happening.
Any help or ideas would be appreciated. I don't want to waste time and money dropping £100 on a new battery if the issue lies with the PowerBook itself.
Cheers!
(PowerBook specs: 1.67GHz PB G4, 2GB RAM, Mac OS X 10.4.11)

Well, I left the laptop unplugged (and with the battery out - not that it would've made a lot of difference, since it doesn't currently have enough juice to highlight ANY of the charge indicator LEDs) for and hour and a half, booted the machine, and the clock kept its time. I'm not sure what that proves at this point, if anything.
As for the charging circuit, well the computer still isn't charging the battery (the main battery, not the PRAM battery). From your suggestions, the socket seems fine, maybe a touch lose, but then it's not exactly new, and my old adapter used to be worse. The only similar charger I have to hand is an adapter from an iBook that's about a year older, so I'm not sure the wattage will match. That said, surely since the adapter is actually powering the computer, it won't be the adaptor or the DC-in board, since I assume they are also responsible for getting the power to the computer itself?
I assume (and I am assuming here) that it is either a knackered battery or logic board. This machine has already had its logic board and DC-in board replaced, for what its worth, back when it was only 5 weeks old (probably irrelevant).
Thanks for your help thus far!

Similar Messages

Powerbook G4 won't charge battery or run with power adapter plugged in.

My Titanium Powerbook G4 will not charge the battery or run with the power adapter plugged in. When plugged in the power adapter doesn't change to amber showing its charging. Instead it has a green light that flashes off and on. I thought it was a defective power adapter but when its plugged in to another powerbook its seems to be working properly. I reset the PMU but that didn't help. I have been unable to find anything that would tell me what a flashing green means.
Powerbook Titanium G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Hi, Marshall. With no power being supplied to the Mac for several months, not only has your main battery gone flat (and may never again be able to take a charge), but your internal backup battery has also gone flat. A Tibook with a dead backup battery generally will not start up at all, even with AC power connected.
Try this: remove the main battery and leave the AC power adapter connected overnight in an attempt to recharge the backup battery. If the Powerbook won't start in the morning under AC power, the backup battery is shot, has lost the ability to be charged, and must be replaced.
If the PB starts up in the morning on AC power, set the date and time correctly, shut the computer down, insert the main battery, and allow 48 hours with AC power connected in an attempt to charge the main battery. Then disconnect the AC adapter and try to start up under battery power. If that doesn't work, and no lights or only one flashing light appear when you press the power-indicator button on the battery, you'll have to replace the main battery.
http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

PowerBook 5300 won't charge

my old PowerBook 5300 won't charge the other day I got it to boot by wiggling the cable but if it moves a little bit it doesn't charge anymore. The battery still holds a charge but once it's dead it's almost impossible to get it charged.

This is not an unusual problem with notebook computers. The solder joints at the DC-in jack work loose. Anyone with basic soldering skills could resolder the pins. You can find disassembly guides, for example, at ifixit.com. Repair instructions regarding this very issue on the PowerBook 5300 can also be found on the Internet.
Jan

MacBook Pro shuts down and won't charge, battery light on the side is off completely?

Hey guys,
So about 20 minutes ago, I walked over to my macbook pro ('17) to plug in my phone charger. The top was already open, so I didn't have to pull it up. I clicked the touchpad to turn it on, and it turned on for literally half a second, and turned black with a bit of a static noise I believe. As if it blew a fuse.
So I look on the side of the computer where you can press that little button and a bunch of lights will turn on according to battery life, and nothing. Not one light turned on. I got this computer fixed a month ago with a replaced battery, screen, graphics card I believe, and operating system.
What happened?? It won't charge or turn on. Is there any chance I can revive this or is it toast?

Hi, I am having the same exact problem! Anyone who know what to do?

Won't charge, battery good

My Powerbook will not charge the battery while the computer is in use. If I put the Powerbook in sleep mode, or turn it off, then it WILL charge the battery, but slowly.
It's not a bad battery, because if I take the battery to a friend's powerbook and charge it there, it works, the other powerbook charges it normally. If I disconnect AC, my computer will run off the charged battery.
If I let it charge overnight, then run it off AC, then I can use the Powerbook all day, and it works, but the battery very slowly discharges. It will not charge the battery, while in use.
I thought it might be the DC in board, so I replaced that, but I still have the same problem.
I've tried a different AC adaptor, and get the same problem.
Has anyone see this before? Do you have any ideas on what this could be, or how to fix it? I assume I could replace the logic board (I'm guessing is the problem) but I'm more likely to live with it, and just make sure I charge it every night.
It's G4 Powerbook, Aluminum, 1.5 Ghz
Thank you,
Bill

There are only 4 components in the charging circuit ... the power adapter, the DC-in card, the battery, and logic board. You've indicated confidence in 3 of the 4, and from how you've tested that sounds good. So I'd agree your logic board is acting up. Cheapest fix, beyond living with it, may be to replace the board yourself, or send it to the Apple depot thru your local Apple store, around $325 if everything else is in reasonable shape.

IPod Touch 2g won't charge battery or sync to Mac Mini

Until yesterday charging and syncing worked normally. No changes or updates have been made to the touch or mini. Now it won't charge the battery or sync to iTunes.
I have tried the following:
1. Tried 3 different sync cords and all 4 usb ports on the Mac Mini (running OSX 10.5.6), no luck
2. Tried another iPod Touch 2g and an iphone 3g and no luck.
3. Tried the Touch on another computer we have, a cube, and all is well, works as it should.
4. Have restarted the Mini, no luck
5. Ran DiskWarrior on the Mini and all green, no red, i.e., mini ok.
6. Referring to 5. above, while running DiskWarrior (of course booted from a flash drive with mini system) the iPod Touch starting showing it was charging??? After returning to the main system, no charging.
7. To repeat, all worked as it should up until yesterday.
Thanks for any help

Since your USB ports appear to be working, the problem appears to be a communication issue between the touch and iTunes.
There is one piece of software that controls communications with iTunes and your touch/iPhone - Apple Mobile Device Services. The linked article discusses how to remove and reinstall it.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1747
If you are still having problems, please let us know.

Macbook air 11" late 2010 won't charge battery, green light on

Had charging issues so bought correct wattage apple magsafe adapter. With new magsafe, laptop works fine, green light on, but not charging battery. It has 335 cycles and shows 5.944 volts. So, I bought a new battery off ebay (A1375). Installed new battery, and now it will only work on battery power and magsafe shows not connected, no green light as if its fried. I have 3 magsafes so its not this.
I did all the nvram, SMC, and battery out/power button SMC bypass resets to no avail. After a time, the battery died to 0%, and now the magsafe turned green again and works fine on AC power again! This is really strange. It acts as tho it can only run on DC or AC power but not both and never charges. I even put in the old battery, updated to the ~31 Jan 13 firmware and tried all the resets again. Nothing. So now it works just fine on AC power, green light on, 0% on the new battery not charging.
Lastly, I took it into apple and they wouldn't fix it for cheaper than 700 which more than totals the value of the laptop.
Any pro's out there have an idea? I don't want to toss a perfectly good laptop that has 100% pixels and runs perfectly in every other way.

RRFS thank you for the reply. Am I throwing good money at bad by trying to fix it? I have found some logic boards on ebay for mid 200's i'm considering. Or should I cut my losses and part it out? I fortunately got my data off it on one of the last successful startups.

PowerBook G4 Won't Charge or Run on Battery

I've got two PowerBook G4s, both FireWire 800 models and one of them is behaving very oddly. The computer boots and runs perfectly. If the battery is discharged then the power plug shows amber and the battery indicator shows that it's charging but VERY slowly (about 1% every 15 minutes) and only to about 13% charge. At that point the battery indicator says "Battery is not charging" and the power plug shows green. Pull the power plug and the computer instantly shuts off, even though it allegedly had a partial charge.
I have tried:
Completely clean OS install (10.5, fully updated).
Reset the power manager (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431).
Replaced PRAM battery with a known good unit.
Replaced laptop battery with a known good unit.
Replaced DC-IN board with a known good unit.
Replaced AC power adapter with a known good unit.
The known-good units came from my other PowrBook G4 which operates perfectly with both DC-IN boards, both PRAM batteries, both laptop batteries, and both power adapters.
Before I call it quits on the motherboard, does anyone know what else could be the problem?

There's only 4.5 components to the charging circuit: Power adapter, DC-In card, battery, logic board, and .5 for the PRAM battery (since it can influence the power circuit).
Unfortunately, there's no test for the charging components, you have to replace them until you find the offending part. You've replaced everything but the logic board, and as long as you're satisfied that the replacement parts from you other PowerBook are good, that only leaves one choice.

T61 power adaptors do nothing - won't run computer & won't charge battery

My T61 suddenly won't run on the power adaptor, or charge the battery. I have several OEM power adaptors and none of them do anything plugged into this T61. The computer runs fine on a battery charged in another T61.

Assuming the power adapters are good, you'll need to replace the motherboard.
ThinkPad W-510 i7-820QM(1.73-3.06GHz) Quad Core... ThinkPad T500, T9900, 8gb SSD...FrankNpad T-60p/61p (X9000 2.8ghz) 8gb SSD ips FlexView...ThinkPad T-61p (T9300 2.5ghz) 8gb ram...Thinkpad X-61 Tablet 4gb ram...ThinkPad A-31 (1.9ghz P4 1.5gb ram)

BB Curve tried 2 new batteries won't charge - battery icon flashes yellow for few seconds then shows a black plug

BB Curve 9360. Please help.
My 6 month old battery stopped taking a charge. Had left to charge overnight from the mains and phone was dead in morning. Wouldn't turn on or take a charge.
Had a spare battery from before and tried this. Charged to 25% and then showed battery icon with black plug and wouldn't take any more. If unplug and re-plug, shows yellow flash as if charging for a few seconds and then shows black plug. 25% charge runs down very quickly.
Bought a new battery. Exactly same experience. Sometimes gets between 5 - 25% charge but mostly is completely dead and not enough power to get beyond red flashing indicator.
Tried on and off. Tried taking out battery (many times!). Tried taking battery out while charging, waiting 30 seconds and then replacing battery (many times). Tried 3 other chargers, both from mains and from USB.
Have left it plugged in for hours even when showing black plug or just empty red battery - nothing. Just dies completely and hard to get enough power to get started again.
Left it unplugged and without battery for 2 days. Plugged into mains, got yellow flash and then black plug. Every time got black plug would unplug and re-plug to get yellow flashing back. Got it to 80% that time. But now gone back to only reaches 5% or won't take a charge and just red batterys sometimes with black plug or just empty, red flashing indicator.
Plugged into BB desktop manager to back up and checked for software updates. No updates available.
Only thing I can think is mini USB slot on BB is broken and need a new phone. Any ideas of anything else to try before bite the bullet??? Thank you!!

SaitoChikara wrote:
The number on the front of the battery is C-M2. It has a yellow label.
Wrong battery!
You need the CS-2, blue
http://www.amazon.com/BlackBerry-CS-2-Original-Li-Ion-Battery/dp/B0030T0UGW
1. If any post helps you please click the below the post(s) that helped you.
2. Please resolve your thread by marking the post "Solution?" which solved it for you!
3. Install free BlackBerry Protect today for backups of contacts and data.
4. Guide to Unlocking your BlackBerry & Unlock Codes
Join our BBM Channels (Beta)
BlackBerry Support Forums Channel
PIN: C0001B7B4 Display/Scan Bar Code
Knowledge Base Updates
PIN: C0005A9AA Display/Scan Bar Code

Adapter won't charge battery when MBP is on Update

Hi: Just wanted to update my August 2009 question with the resolution: Went to Apple and turned my Macbook in July 2010. Took two tries: the techs replaced the i/o port, battery and the power supply. Macbook works and charges normally now. Thanks again to all who tried to help me. I found the Apple Store repair guys very helpful and nice at the Stoneride Mall, Pleasanton Store-CA.

Here's the calibration article:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1490
You do want to calibrate a new battery, and calibrate an existing battery on a regular basis.
However, I'm not at all certain that the battery is the problem, since your battery is in good health and can be charged up to 100%. I think the problem is elsewhere. If it turns out that the power adaptor is faulty, a new battery won't solve the problem.
Here is the article on troubleshooting the Mag-Safe adaptor:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1713
As I understand it, the power adaptor will charge the battery until the battery has a full charge, which will show up in the menu bar as 100% or 99%. At that point, the power adaptor should stop charging. When the battery charge drops to under 95%, then the power adaptor should start charging again until the battery is fully charged. If this is not happening, then I think the problem is either with the power adaptor or the Left I/O Board.
You may want to try another SMC reset:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1411?viewlocale=en_US
I don't know why your battery is staying at 100% for so long, but I might hazard a guess that maybe it was never getting fully charged. I really don't know. It would be interesting to see if it has a normal run time now.
It could be that there is an intermittent fault somewhere that is causing the charging cycle to not function properly. I think it would still be worth trying a different power adaptor on your Mac and yours on a different Mac. If you happen to have access to an Apple Store, they could help you with this. They should be able to determine where the problem actually lies.
Good luck!

Adapter won't charge battery when MBP is on

I have a early 2007 MBP. Battery and left I/O insulator replaced last year, among other assemblies. Everything ok until last week: Symptoms are the battery is not being charged by adapter. Battery continues to act as if there is no adapter. Adapter is green so it looks it thinks the battery is fully charged. I have reseated the battery, reset the SMC, and recalibrated the battery. AC adapter charges the battery when sleeping (very slowly) or if computer is shut down, it will now sometimes recharge to a full 99% charge. I do not know if it is the adapter that is a problem (have checked for debris, dirty contacts and pushed down contacts) and/or battery.
Anyone hazard a guess before I truck this down to Apple?
Specs as follows:
Firmware Version: 0110
Hardware Version: 0500
Charge Information:
Charge remaining: 1698
Fully Charged No
Charging No
Full Charge Capacity: 5312
Health Information:
Cycle Count: 29
Condition: Good
AC Charger Information
Connected: Yes
Charging: No
Thanks, redjamie

Here's the calibration article:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1490
You do want to calibrate a new battery, and calibrate an existing battery on a regular basis.
However, I'm not at all certain that the battery is the problem, since your battery is in good health and can be charged up to 100%. I think the problem is elsewhere. If it turns out that the power adaptor is faulty, a new battery won't solve the problem.
Here is the article on troubleshooting the Mag-Safe adaptor:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1713
As I understand it, the power adaptor will charge the battery until the battery has a full charge, which will show up in the menu bar as 100% or 99%. At that point, the power adaptor should stop charging. When the battery charge drops to under 95%, then the power adaptor should start charging again until the battery is fully charged. If this is not happening, then I think the problem is either with the power adaptor or the Left I/O Board.
You may want to try another SMC reset:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1411?viewlocale=en_US
I don't know why your battery is staying at 100% for so long, but I might hazard a guess that maybe it was never getting fully charged. I really don't know. It would be interesting to see if it has a normal run time now.
It could be that there is an intermittent fault somewhere that is causing the charging cycle to not function properly. I think it would still be worth trying a different power adaptor on your Mac and yours on a different Mac. If you happen to have access to an Apple Store, they could help you with this. They should be able to determine where the problem actually lies.
Good luck!

Computer won't charge (battery or cord)

My computer is just over a year old and the battery has been wearing down over the past couple months, but can still last nearly an hour.
In the past couple days my computer has randomly turned off several times and will take anywhere from a couple minutes to a day to turn back on (resetting doesn't help)
Now i've got my computer on and plugged in (the light on the cable is yellow)
but it says the battery is at 0% (which doesn't change) and the computer goes to sleep within a minute. I've tried plugging it in with different cables, and tried removing the battery, but it still won't stay "awake" for more than a minute.
help, thanks
any advice would be greatly appreciated.
iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.2) the battery pack is slightly loose, not a perfect fit.

My computer is just over a year old and the battery
has been wearing down over the past couple months,
but can still last nearly an hour.
In the past couple days my computer has randomly
turned off several times and will take anywhere from
a couple minutes to a day to turn back on (resetting
doesn't help)
Now i've got my computer on and plugged in (the light
on the cable is yellow)
but it says the battery is at 0% (which doesn't
change) and the computer goes to sleep within a
minute. I've tried plugging it in with different
cables, and tried removing the battery, but it still
won't stay "awake" for more than a minute.
help, thanks
any advice would be greatly appreciated.
iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.2)
the battery pack is slightly loose, not a
perfect fit.
It appears your battery is dead. I have a G4 12 inch model with same issue. you will need to purchase another battery.
Ted

Brand new IPOD Shuffle won't charge battery!

What am I doing wrong???
I did download and install ITUNES, and added a bunch of songs that show in ITUNES,(that I put on the IPOD) and when I dock it, it blinks yellow, then goes to solid green. After I eject it, I try to turn it on, but, I get no light, and it won't play.
Any ideas?

I am having a similar problem with my iPod shuffle 2G. I read that the shuffle would not charge properly unless it was plugged into a high speed USB port (which I later discovered my computer does not have). I bought an A/C adapter in order to charge it from the wall (not from Apple). I charged it overnight until the light turned green. I disconnected the iPod and turned it on; the light stayed green for two seconds, then went off, and the iPod does not play.
I contacted Apple Support, and the only suggestion they could offer was that the A/C adapter I bought is not the correct one. I am now waiting for a second wall charger to arrive, to see if that in fact is the case. The iPod did in fact sync and load songs with no problem despite not having a high speed USB port. Anybody else experience this?

Laptop won't power up with AC adapter and won't charge battery

Here is the thing.
1) the laptop doesn't power on without a battery when directly connected to ac adapter.
2) the light which would indicate that the laptop is plugged into the ac adapter is not on when the ac adapter is plugged in.
3) the battery charge light is also not on, which would indicate the battery is being charged.
The battery does not charge... Laptop turns on the battery backup mode, but not on ac adapter connection. I tried connecting the battery to another compatible hp laptop (both my laptop and the other test device support same battery models). It was charging fine on that laptop. And when switched it back into my laptop, laptop was running fine, but it does not charge in my laptop. But ac adapter is fine too. So whats the issue? And what can I do to get it sorted?
My laptop is not on warranty anymore. But i replaced battery 4 months back, so its not a fault with battery or the ac adapter.
The AC adapter is fine, tested with other laptop.
The battery is also new and works fine
Regards,

Hi ,
Thank you for visiting the HP Support Forums and Welcome. It is a great site for information and questions. I have looked into your issue about your HP Pavilion g6-2004tx Notebook and issues with the battery not charging. Here is a link to calibrate and test the Battery. Calibration should eliminate this issue. Plug the power adapter directly into a functioning wall outlet. Do not plug it into a power strip, surge protector, or secondary power source as this could cause and issue.HP Battery Check in HP System Diagnostics for Windows 8, would give you details of charging and discharging.Testing and Calibrating the battery using HP System Diagnostics in Windows 8. At the starting of the Notebook, Press F2 to select F2 System Diagnostics. Then choose Component Tests, then battery. If the battery was purchased from HP it could be in warranty. Here is a link to check. If purchased from another source you would have to contact them. Hope this helps. Thanks.

PowerBook G4 won't charge battery

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for