Shutting down without power? Powerbook G4

My powerbook is in sleep mode. The battery is dead, the DC-in is busted. How do I close it down properly before opening the casing for inspection?
Cheers all.

Listen, if battery is dead, it's not going to stay for a long time in sleep mode. Even if battery works great and it's brand new, it's not going to stay forever in sleep mode.
I don't think you can get a clean shutdown, but there should not be bad consequences. Besides, it's not like you have much of a choice. Unless, of course, you can borrow a good battery from a friend or a computer shop, in which case, by all means wake it up and shut it down cleanly. Yet, I suspect that if you did that, you'd find out it is no longer sleeping, it had shut down already. But, if you do have the opportunity to use the battery, it's a good idea and can do no harm.

Similar Messages

Shuts down without power adapter

Today my MacBook shutdown automatically when I was listening to some music. Now whenever it doesn't have the power adapter plugged in it will just down immediatley when I try to start it. Also, when I take the power adapter out, it will shut down. Is there an update for this?

There is a battery battery update. You might try to reset the SMC.
Use and cleaning of MagSafe power connector

PowerBook G4 shuts down without warning even when battery is over 60%

My powerbook has started to shut down without any warning - even if the battery is over 60% charged. The battery is the second (being sent free by apple under the replacement programme). I cannot restart until I have inserted the power cable.
I have tried to reset the PMU - but, following the instructions from apple support ('after shut down simultaneously press Shift - ctrl - option - power, wait 5 secs then press power button') does not work - PMU does not seem to reset. Apparently, when the PMU has been reset, the time and date change and need reseting - but this does not happen - and mine still shows the current date time after attempting a PMU reset.
so - still the Powerbook still shuts down working on a nearly full battery. Battery info seems ok.
I think this is a software problem - any ideas?

Hi, Pieterrr, and welcome to Apple Discussions. No, my post above is absolutely not an official (or unofficial) statement from Apple. These are user-to-user forums. I'm just another Powerbook user like yourself; I have no connection with Apple. Apple employees very rarely post in these forums, and Apple policies are never announced here.
What I wrote is a personal view and recommendation based on reading all the posts in the 15" Aluminum Powerbook forums for a while now. I've posted very similar comments many times before, and some (not all) owners of prematurely-old replacement batteries have succeeded in persuading Apple to replace them again after I suggested trying to do so.

Powerbook shuts down when power adaptor isn't plugged

I bought my powerbook G4 about 3 years ago and I've been having alot of problem with it in the past few months (yeah I know it's old lol).
When I first got it my friend told me not to use the battery while I'm working with the laptop, instead use the power adapter by removing the battery from the laptop and use the adapter instead. I tried to do that, and it didn't work.
Even now when I tried to remove the battery and just use the adapter, it's just doesn't want to start up.
I also got this problem whenever I'm using my laptop I always have to have the adapter plugged in or else it will shut down without any warning.
I checked the battery level with the button on the battery cover, it's always on 100% charged. BUT it won't turn up unless I plug the adapter in back.
I can't afford a new macbook pro so yeah =(
thank you!

There is another battery involved: the backup battery or PRAM battery. It resides to the right and under the optical drive (see image from iFixit.com guide) and remembers startup configurations when there is no AC or main battery power connected.
My PB's backup battery is dead and, If I let the main battery run down, I have to reset the computer to get a valid restart even after reattaching the AC power adaptor. If the backup battery is dead, then what little life is left in your main battery will be doing the work to hold the system parameters when you are off AC power.
The backup battery looks like this:
http://www.ifixit.com/Parts/images/products/155/155035s.jpg
It's a difficult install unless you are familiar with the inner workings of the Powerbook and how to get to them. It's also hard to find these that are new. And who wants a "Used" battery.

My MacBook Pro just shut down without notice. It had about 40% of the battery life. It will not turn back on and I noticed when plugged in the little light on the power cord is blinking orange, not a solid green like normal. Anyone have this issue before

MacBook Pro just shut down without notice. It had about 40% of the battery life. It will not turn back on and I noticed when plugged in the little light on the power cord is blinking orange, not a solid green like normal. Anyone have this issue before? I've only had this for about 3mos. I called apple support. They tried one thing then said I have to take to the apple store. Unfortunately I don't have one nearby. So before I travel an hour+ away I thought is give it a shot on here. Thank.

Hi S,
Did they have you try an SMC Reset: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964?

Macbook pro wont shut down without holding the power button nor cycle for updates to restart.

macbook pro wont shut down without holding the power button nor cycle for updates to restart

Sorry I said sorta wrong. I can shut down and I can update to the point of restart but it just sat for 45 minutes after an update. It goes through the update and to restart then the bars chase each other in a circle and it never restarts. So I hit the power button and go through normal reboot but loosing the update in the process. It does not matter how long I wait for a natural reboot after an update or click to restart it will chase the little bar in circles all day literally and never reboot.

MacBook shuts down without warning during calibration (39% battery power)

My MacBook has been shutting down without warning during recent calibrations (which I've done approximately every two months). Most recently it shut down after 2 hours and 20 minutes on battery power with a battery reading of 39% -- i.e., nowhere close to the 0% of a fully rundown battery.
The result is that:
I'm not seeing the 'low battery' warning dialog before the computer shuts down; and
(ii) I'm not able to save current work and close all applications when the battery's charge gets low, before the computer goes to sleep (because it just shuts down without warning)
Can I do anything about this? Is it just an unavoidable indication of declining battery performance?
My MacBook is 15 months old. Current 'battery information' is listed below.
Thanks. Replies appreciated.
Battery Information:
Battery Installed: Yes
First low level warning: No
Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 4792
Remaining Capacity (mAh): 4790
Amperage (mA): 0
Voltage (mV): 12477
Cycle Count: 23
------------------------------

stevenray1 wrote:
1. I'm not sure how to match the path you listed re: the '1.3 battery update' to what's on my MacBook. Maybe I just don't understand how to interpret it, but I don't have a root folder (or any other folder) identified as 'MacBook.' When I used Spotlight, I also didn't come up with a BatteryUpdater.bundle. A file named BatteryUpdate2007001.pkg was all that Spotlight turned up.
On my MacBoook my hard drive that I boot from is named Mort's MacBook. Yours may be similar I don't know. It is the drive you boot from. Mines shows in finder as the top level drive. The next level in column view. Then you find the System file and go from there.
If your not sure what you named your drive or which one it is click the apple in the upper left corner and then pick *About This Mac* You then should see *Startup Disk* and next to that the name is what you refer too when you look for the folder path I gave.
2. You recommended resetting the SMC. However, the info file you provided a link for says it shouldn't be "necessary except as a last resort in cases where a hardware failure of the power management system is suspected." Does that accurately describe the condition I reported? Also, the problems listed as possible reasons to reset the SMC don't include the one I posted about.
The reason I suggest resetting the SMC is that your changing one of the components that is controlled by the functions of the SMC. The battery is a big part of the system which the battery update changes. To get it to be sure to recognize the new bundle you reset the SMC. The instructions linked are not all inclusive but if you don't want to reset it that is up to you.
3. Similarly, re: the 1.2 Battery Update, it's not clear to me that any of the listed 'symptoms' of a faulty battery apply in my case -- unless what I reported indicates a "+low charge capacity/runtime+." Does it?
The battery update instructions are again not all inclusive. If you don't want to do it that is fine. All I know is you have a MacBook Pro update installed at the moment. You don't have a MacBook Pro. This suggestion of mine has helped many people with problems as reported by you. You do not have to do anything you don't want. That is your choice. Is your battery cutting off at 39% considered normal operating or capacity to you? I personally would call it a faulty battery, but thats just me.
What would be your definition of a faulty battery?
4. Apparently, you had a faulty battery which Apple replaced. I wasn't sure from your message whether you had other things going on that made it clear you had a faulty battery, or only the same symptoms I reported. Were there other power-related problems in your case, or only, as you wrote "the same thing as yours except mine cut off at 28%"?
I guess I misunderstood your original post, everything yours was doing mine was doing except mine cut off at 28% not 39%. I can only give advice on what you post. Are there other things happening that you didn't mention?
My idea of a faulty battery must be different than yours. If I don't get warnings I should and the battery does not work like it used to then that is a faulty battery in my opinion.
If your not comfortable with any of my suggestions contact Apple support and maybe they can help you. Possibly one of the other posters on here can give you different advice that you agree with. Never do anything advised in the forums unless you agree with it.

12 inch shuts down without even warning me

ok I have year and half old 12 inch 1.33Ghz G4 powerbook. Lately i cannot work on battery charge for longer than 30 min, if lucky and then it shuts down without even asking me to recharge. I did few power management unit resets that didnt work. My local applr genious bar is full of grandmas asking where is @ on the keyboard, so i am scheduled for next century. What should i do. Here is the screen of my coconut battery status.
[img=http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1456/coconut6qd.th.jpg]
PowerBook G4, 12inch Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Gil,
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
"When I charge the ring is always green, never amber."
This is NOT normal. The power adapter and battery are not "connecting" properly as to why your computer shuts down within minutes of unplugging. It could be the adapter. On occasion (more often with my 15" Ti), I have to wiggle the cord (near the ring) to get the light to change from green to amber.
Try another power adapter. If you do not have another adapter, borrow one from a friend that does or go the Apple store. Or try another battery to test the adapter. Also, if you have not already done so--try taking the battery out and putting it back in and then plug in the adapter.
"The battery issue seems to be new..."
Not really. It is a problem with lithium-ion batteries in general. PC portable users have this issue too. In my experience, these batteries tend to last about two years (dependent upon each users definition of sufficient charge to meet his or her needs). Apple claims 80% of original battery capacity after 300 full charge and discharge cycles. Some people say the battery life is 500 cycles. You can check the number of battery cycles in System Profiler.
Hope this helps.

Mac pro keeps shutting down without warning

I have a 15 inch Macpro running Mac OS X Lion, version 10.7.3. It keeps shutting down without any warning. The screen just goes black and I have to press and hold the power button for a while till a hear a sound to turn the system off. This is happening like, more than 5 times a DAY. Please help, any suggestions are welcome.

Dose this issue happen when the computer is plugged in? or only when it's unplugged from power?
Have you checked for software updates? if so, have you installed all the updates? (apple menu, software update, install updates, reboot, repeate untill there are no more updates)
If the issue is happening while power is plugged in, have you tried a SMC Reset and NVRAM Reset?
Is there any thing externaly connected to the computer besides power? if so, haveyou tried removing those items; to see if the issue only happens while those devices are connected?
Do you know if yoru MacBook Pro has a NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT? (apple menu, about this mac)
Do you have any kind of keyboard cover? if so, have you tried removing the keyboard cover, dose the issue still happen?
You could also try running an Apple Hardware Test. If it give you any error codes; I would suggest writing down the exact error message it displays.
Also it might be a good idea to set the graphic card to run on the high end card; and see if the issue still happens. (apple menu, system prefrences, energy saver, At the top there should be a check box along the lines of use best graphic performance at all time, check this box)

2006 Macbook running 10.6.8 shuts down without warning

It's a 2006 Macbook (I bought new in 06) running os x 10.6.8. Up until 6 months ago no problems what so ever with the computer. I would be working and every once in a while, it would just shut down. Replaced the battery less than a year ago. Power supply (60w charger) had a short, so I replaced that about a week ago. Computer is still shutting down without warning. I did the 1.1 update on the OSX but it still acts up. I'm lucky to be able to use the computer right now (it's been running for 20 minutes...this time). Would it help if I upgraded to LION, or would it still do it then? Any help please...I'm a musician and it's my livelyhood.
Thanks,
David

When a Mac shuts down without warning, it's doubtful an upgrade will be the fix. You need to find out what's causing the problem.
Check the startup disk.
Launch Disk Utility located in HD > Applications > Utillities
Select the startup disk on the left then select the First Aid tab.
Click: Verify Disk (not Verify Disk Permissions)
If Disk Utility reports errors, restart the Mac while inserting the install disc and holding down the C key simultaneously. From there you should be able to repair the startup disk.
No errors were found, run the Apple Hardware Test > Using Apple Hardware Test
If installed, anti virus software can cause system anomalies such as an unexpected shut down.

MacBook Pro 2013 will not shut down without restarting.

I got a macbook pro a month ago and it will not shut down without pressing down on the power button. Using the normal Shut down options only restarts the computer. I have done all the disk utility repairs, installed new mountain lion, reset the PRAM several times, and ran software repair from doing the shutdown hold D. I also checked to see if the PRAM is good, and it is Ok in systems utilities. It will also restart when i have not touched the computer for 10 or so minutes and will go to locked user log in.
I really don't know what else to do. If you need more details let me know. Any advice?
Thanks

Thanks!
I tried this and discovered something new. I noticed that if the computer is charging while shutdown, the computer will still restart. However, if the computer is charging and you shutdown, then unplug the charger, it will remain off. It will also resume normal shut down and sleep if you shut down while unplugged, now. An idea why it will still restard while plugged in though? If not i very much appreciate your help so far!

Qosmio X870 shutting down without reason - low perfs

Hello everyone,
I have recently bought a Qosmio X870 116 and I am extremely disappointed. It is supposed to be a gaming computer but I can barely run a single game without the PC crashes. I tried to run recent games such as Diablo 3 and Guild Wars 2. During the downloading of the GW2 launcher, the PC crashed after a while, shutting down without any reason.
I eventually managed to install the game on my laptop anyway but I still encounter some issues since as I play, after not more than two minutes, the game slows down, the frame per second rate drops dramatically to 2 fps and the laptop crashes again.
I think there is a problem with the graphic card or the fan because eveytime I try to launch a game, the fan starts to run very fast and noisely.
I thought it also may be a problem with the Nvidia technology because of their Optimus service on their recent graphic cards, therefore I tried to "prioritize" the use of my NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M instead of the chipset Intel HD Family 4000 used in the laptop, by right-clicking on the GW2 icon and opening the NVIDIA panel to select the "Nvidia High performances" option.
Unfortunately, the game still crashes after a few minutes. I obviously updated the drivers for the Nvidia but still, it doesnt work.
Moreover, the laptop seems pretty slow to me even while browsing on the Internet and the desktop which is rather worrying since the laptot has 12 GB memory.
Does anyone has an idea what is the reason for such low performances?
Thanks by advance.

Try this with your video card and power settings:
Go to NVIDIA Control Panel (right click on desktop, 8th selection down), select/click
First tab {Adjust image settings with preview}:
Select: {Use my preference emphasizing: Performance}
**select "performance"**
Hit {Apply}
Second tab {Manage 3D settings}
**It gets technical but make sure it is exactly as I say it or it will not work. **
Go to Subtab 1{Global Settings}:
{Preferred graphics processor:}
**SELECT "High-performance NVIDIA processor** *(see Note 1 at end)*
Settings: *Again,it has to be exact; first phrase in { } is "Features" the first column, second phrase in { } is the "Settings", the second column:
**Everything is on a drop-down menu if you click on the {Feature} name and mouse over the {Setting} option**
{Ambient Occlusion} {Performance}
{Anisotropic filtering} {Off}
{Antialiasing-FXAA} {On}
{Antialiasing-Gamma correction} {On}
{Antialiasing-Mode} {Off}
*Grayed out* {Antiliasing-Setting} {None}
*Grayed out* {Antiliasing-Transparency} {Off}
{CUDA-GPUs} {All}
{Maximum pre-rendered frames} {4}
{Multi-dislpay/mixed-GPU acceleration} {Single display performance mode} (see Note 2)
{Power management mode] [Prefer maximum performance] **a no brainer but its default is not this setting**
{Texture filtering-Anisotropic sample opt...} {On}
{Texture filtering-Negative LOD bias} {Allow}
{Texture filter-Quality} {Quality}
{Texture filtering-Trilinear optimization} {On}
{Threaded optimization} {Auto}
{Triple buffering} {Off}
{Vertical sync} {Off}
*Hit "Apply" before moving to the third tab {Set PhysX Configuration}
Third tab {Set PhysX Configuration}:
*ONLY SETTING IN TAB*
Select "GeForce GTX 670M"
Hit {Apply}
**NOT "CPU" and, NEVER "Auto-select (recommended)"** (see Note 1, again)
Go to Power Settings in your Control Panel:
Choose a Power Plan Option (Search "power" in search bar, choose the "Power plan", second selection under "Power Options" page.
*GO WITH THE HIGH PERFORMANCE OPTION, VERY CRITICAL!!!!* By default it is on "balance" (I believe)
Note 1: As far as I can tell the OS (Win8) can't transition like Win7 did between CPU and graphics card. Therefore every time graphics get going hard enough to demand the cards performance, the frames per rate stops or slows.
Note 2: Select other option if setup is different.
~Experience:Electronics Technician, Gaming (Blizzard, Steam, and EA Games), Trial and Error

IMac 8,1 Shuts Down without warning using FCE

Can somebody give me some advice on this?
My iMac 8,1 shuts down without warning it seems that it is when I am using FCE. Its as if there is a complete power loss, again no warning, just a black screen. It always starts up when I push the start button on the back of the machine.
This problem has only started since I moved into a new home.
It is plugged into a surge protector.
I am running the latest update of OS10.6
I have an external HD connected by 800 firewire. This is where the FCE project is saved along with all of the footage.
I have used this configuration for years without a problem.
The problem does not occur when I am using safari or itunes or mail.
The steps I have taken so far are:
reset the PRAM
reset the SMC
tried different outlets in the house in case of a wiring problem in the house
removed and reseated both 1GB RAM chips.
tried different configuartions of my external hard drives
If anybody please has any advice or has experienced the same problem please let me know. Thanks!

Can somebody give me some advice on this?
My iMac 8,1 shuts down without warning it seems that it is when I am using FCE. Its as if there is a complete power loss, again no warning, just a black screen. It always starts up when I push the start button on the back of the machine.
This problem has only started since I moved into a new home.
It is plugged into a surge protector.
I am running the latest update of OS10.6
I have an external HD connected by 800 firewire. This is where the FCE project is saved along with all of the footage.
I have used this configuration for years without a problem.
The problem does not occur when I am using safari or itunes or mail.
The steps I have taken so far are:
reset the PRAM
reset the SMC
tried different outlets in the house in case of a wiring problem in the house
removed and reseated both 1GB RAM chips.
tried different configuartions of my external hard drives
If anybody please has any advice or has experienced the same problem please let me know. Thanks!

It just shuts down without warning

Hi there,
My MacBookPro shipped on 06.2006 is shutting down without warning after more or less one hour when in battery use (The battery has 142 cycles). I've already reset and recalibrated the battery but without success. I also did the efi updates and the resend battery update also no success. The power level seams to drop rapidly without warning. The used battery is also not included in the apple exchange program (wrong serial no.). It is normal for a battery this age to have a power decrease but at least I’d like to get a warning before the computer shuts down. Please help me with your suggestions.

OK, first, let's be clear on this and all future posts: is the MBP running on battery (NOT plugged in) or is it pugged in. You can see that if it is NOT plugged in, then there could be battery issues and that's the first thing I would try to diagnose. There are several posts in this forum about that problem (which doesn't pertain to me or to esqjake, since our problems occur in both situations). If I can summarize:
1) download the latest software; if you have a MacBook (not Pro) you need to have a Battery Update. MB Pro's don't need this.
2) Check your battery life and charge, using System Profiler. In OS 10.4 there's info on Power; the Battery section looks like this:
Battery Information:
Battery Installed: Yes
First low level warning: No
Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 4657
Remaining Capacity (mAh): 4330
Amperage (mA): 939
Voltage (mV): 12560
Cycle Count: 124
Apparently if the cycle count is under 300 and the mAh is low then you may qualify for a replacement battery. You'll have to search for yourself in the Forum for the exact numbers, sorry, since that's not what I'm experiencing I didn't write it down.
Now, on to the second type of problem: the MBPro shuts down *+without warning+* typically after being woken from sleep. Note that this is not a typical shut down; the computer just turns off. Also note, this is not a kernal panic, where the screen goes dark like a curtain is coming down and you get a polite message in multiple languages to hold the power key down to restart; no, the computer just turns off. Also typical is you have to hold down the power key for 5+ seconds (until you hear the tone and the power light flashes) or it won't restart; it will start for a few seconds and turn off again. Once I've restarted, it seems to work OK until the next time I try to wake it up; my current solution is that I'm just leaving it on. This has been called Random Shut Down Syndrome or RSS; you can do a search yourself if you have some time. Google will get you half a million hits or so (there's even a website called www.macbookrandomshutdown.com); there are far less in these discussion forums (and less help here, too, I've found. Doesn't Apple have an administrator looking at these posts?). Unfortunately, most of the hits deal the the MacBook, not the MacBook Pro. However, perhaps one of them will help.
Here's what I've found as possible causes:
1) a warped battery (mine isn't);
2) reset the System Manager Control (SMC)(unplug, battery out, hold down power key 5+ seconds, reboot);
3) due to overheating (again, it has happened immediately after waking from sleep, so it's the case is cool); or
4) there are some posts about looking through the console logs (Use the Console app located in the Utilities folder, and open console.log, console0.log, or consoleX.log). The console and system logs haven't been helpful for me personally (occasionally I've gotten the "previous shutdown cause= -82" message in the system log, supposedly a sign of RSS, but this is not consistent).
Now, here's something I found today, a simple test to see if you have RSS, but it is old and pertains (yet again) to the MacBook, not the Pro. However, I'll give it a try.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=274
Anyway, I'm ready to bring mine in; I just can't afford to be without it just now. No data seems to be lost, so I'm just trying to get by, and put up with the RSS.
I hope that helps. Maybe some of the "Top Users" would like to help? I'm still lost.

MacBook shuts down without warning

My MacBook is a couple years old and the battery might need replacing, but after about an hour of use - many times less than an hour - the computer just shuts downs without any warning at all. Is this a battery problem or a OS problem?

Thanks Lyssa,
You've actually suggested solutions on this same problem, but since they did not work, I thought I coming at it from another angle it might help.
Battery Information:
Model Information:
Serial Number: DP-ASMB013-3526-3e9
Manufacturer: DP
Device name: ASMB013
Pack Lot Code: 0001
PCB Lot Code: 0000
Firmware Version: 0102
Hardware Revision: 0300
Cell Revision: 0100
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 4116
Fully charged: No
Charging: No
Full charge capacity (mAh): 4571
Health Information:
Cycle count: 154
Condition: Good
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): -1539
Voltage (mV): 11133
System Power Settings:
AC Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 0
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 20
Automatic Restart On Power Loss: No
Wake On AC Change: No
Wake On Clamshell Open: Yes
Wake On LAN: Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
Battery Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 15
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 5
Wake On AC Change: No
Wake On Clamshell Open: Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
Reduce Brightness: Yes
Hardware Configuration:
UPS Installed: No
AC Charger Information:
Connected: No
Charging: No

Shutting down without power? Powerbook G4

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