What are the symptoms or indicators that determine the necessity of resetting the SMC and PRAM?

Question

Hi,
Can anyone have list of symptoms that may help a user to determine if there is a need to reset the SMC and PRAM.
I would appreciate if the high-end user of this site come up with their experiences in making a compiled list, possibly product wise, if any such attempt is not taken yet.
In case it is done already, please provide me with the active link/s.
Please see below if you need to know about the MB i am using.
Model Name:            MacBook
Model Identifier:            MacBook2,1
Processor Name:            Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed:            2 GHz
  Number Of Processors:            1
Total Number Of Cores:            2
L2 Cache (per processor):            4 MB
Memory:            1 GB
Bus Speed:            667 MHz
Boot ROM Version:            MB21.00A5.B07
SMC Version:            1.13f3
System Software Overview:
System Version:            Mac OS X 10.4.11 (8S2167)
Kernel Version:            Darwin 8.11.1
Look forward to it. Thanks

Answer 1

Hi,
The system profiler shows as follows-
System Power Settings:
  AC Power:
  System Sleep Timer (Minutes):          10
  Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes):          10
  Display Sleep Timer (Minutes):          10
  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):          5
  Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes):          10
  Display Sleep Timer (Minutes):          1
  Wake On AC Change:          No
  Wake On Clamshell Open:          Yes
  Display Sleep Uses Dim:          Yes
  Reduce Brightness:          Yes
Battery Information:
  Battery Installed:          Yes
  First low level warning:          No
  Full Charge Capacity (mAh):          2750
  Remaining Capacity (mAh):          2701
  Amperage (mA):          0
  Voltage (mV):          12454
  Cycle Count:          507
AC Charger Information:
  Connected:          Yes
  Charging:          No
Hardware Configuration:
  UPS Installed:          No
Regarding the start up sound, i opened the L Bracket but Ram was seated properly. I just checked the ram's position but didn't remove it. However, i found the right most screw of the L-bracket was loosen, i don't know how.
Do you think i should remove the ram and reinsert it? If so, do i have to reset the PRAM after that?
The system profiler shows the ram is ok-
BANK 0/DIMM0:
  Size:          512 MB
  Type:          DDR2 SDRAM
  Speed:          667 MHz
  Status:          OK
BANK 1/DIMM1:
  Size:          512 MB
  Type:          DDR2 SDRAM
  Speed:          667 MHz
  Status:          OK
What do you think about the whole situation?
Look forward to your reply.
All the best and have a goo day Mate.