Titanium PowerBook G4 500mhz won't start up

Hi,
I see this is a common occurance with the Titanium PowerBooks. The last few years my battery has been nearly non-functional -- it gets maybe a minute of charge. For the last 8 months or so, I have kept the PowerBook off and unplugged to save from "vampire drain." But today the PowerBook won't start up: When I press the power button there is no effect.
The newer white power cord shows the orange, charging light, when plugged in. And this continues to stay orange even when I leave it plugged in for hours.
Again this is a 15" TiG4 Titanium PowerBook G4 500mhz. It's running 10.2.8.
After reading this suggestion: http://archive.macfixitforums.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/449628 ,
I tried resetting the Power Manager (I think this is the PMU), by first taking out the battery and unplugging the computer; then depressing the small button on the back of the PowerBook, under the input flap panel, for 15 (more like 25) seconds. Then I plugged the computer in and tried to start it up. I did this three or four times. No luck.
So I suppose the next step is disconnecting the PRAM battery? However, another thread says there is no PRAM battery in this model.
Any ideas for the next step? Taking it to an apple store is an option, but if I can user-install fix it that is fine too. I do have the star-shaped screwdriver head.
Thanks for help.

Twelve-inchers didn't have backup batteries, the rest do. See this Powerbook Medic page for some information on the early G4 machines.
You can find various sources for replacements using a Google search for "922-4361 backup battery" as a start.
You could also look to OWC for a replacement main battery.

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After a few minutes of battery power, it went to reserve. I still tried a fourth outlet to no avail, then just shut it down at about 12% reserve. Now I can't get it to start up at all.
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http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75448#922-4323
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Hi, Sluggo. Remove the main battery, plug the AC adapter into an outlet that causes the adapter's ring light to come on, and leave the powerbook that way to charge the internal backup battery for at least four hours (overnight is easy). Then put the main battery back in, give that some time to charge up at least partially, and then try starting the PB (still on AC power). Post back with results.
A weak or dead backup battery can prevent a Tibook from starting at all. A weak or dead main battery may, in some cases, divert all charging energy away from the backup battery until the main battery is fully charged — or indefinitely, if the main battery is no longer capable of taking a charge. The main battery charge-level indicator on the menu bar is usually wildly inaccurate by the time the battery is only able to deliver ~30 minutes of ordinary working time. Whatever percentage it reports is probably untrustworthy and may be pure moonshine.
With respect to different outlets producing different results in the adapter, that isn't related to the backup battery. Try a different, known-good AC adapter, if possible, and see whether it behaves the same way yours does when connected to your various electrical outlets. If its behavior is identical (not likely but possible), read the two articles linked below and consider getting an uninterruptible power supply unit to condition your AC power, which may be noisy.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302461
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=32155
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http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/applelaptop/batteries/PowerBook_G412
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Jose,
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Message was edited by: eww

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Welcome to Apple Discussions!
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http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
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In the future never install new software without backing your data*:
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.
Message was edited by: a brody

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Very good additional info, thanks a bunch!
PS. I see you signed up but have never posted... is it me!

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kauribill wrote:
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Titanium PowerBook G4 500mhz won't start up

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