Impreza23
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Pismo Startup - 2009/05/21 07:17
Hi Everyone, thanks for being accepted to the forum and I hope I can add things in the future, rather than just get advice!
My current problem is this: I have a G3 Pismo 400Mhz that went into a "no start" mode. Everything was dead. This happened after a cat let go some wee on the desk the Pismo was on, but beside it, not on the keyboard. (BTW, Pismo was on and in sleep mode when this happened) I took out the battery and CD drive, gave it some warm air let it dry for a day or two and had no luck on start up. Still, everything dead.
I then started looking for advice and found the Li-ion battery was holding a full charge (four lights) and the AC adapter is giving correct voltage. I then let the battery discharge fully (AC adapter out), which it did, re-plugged the AC and the battery fully charged again.
I then went into re-set mode via the button at the back of the Pismo, using the instructions provided by Apple - no effect. I then used instructions provided by a member of another forum which included removing the main battery, disconnecting the PRAM battery, disconnecting the AC supply, then doing a reset by the rear switch and waiting for 24 hours, reconnecting the AC only and doing another reset and then trying to power up the Pismo. BANG! Fired up perfectly. All files were intact and the computer functioned normally.
I then suspected the PRAM battery was at fault and replaced it with a brand new one from a very reputable supplier (and at quite some expense) I allowed the new battery to charge for around 8 hours before powering up, but when I did so, the Pismo went into a cycle of starting and getting to the Apple screen with the pinwheel spinning, and then shutting down after 2-3 seconds. It does this repeatedly for 7 or 8 cycles, then I simply pull the plug and disconnect the battery to make it stop.
Then I reconnect all power sources, do another reset at the back of the Pismo. Leave it for an hour or so. Press the power button and hey presto it starts perfectly. It also goes to sleep and wakes up from sleep perfectly. This problem occurs when I then attempt to restart.
Another interesting angle is that if I attempt a full shut down, it won't and instead goes into the same cycle mentioned above, as though I had asked it to restart.
Also, prior to this incident the clock on the Pismo was out of whack and returning to something like 1/1/1970 everytime a restart was performed. I presumed the new PRAM battery would fix this, but it hasn't.
The only other thing I have done (in desperation) is reset permissions.
Here are the Pismo specs:
CPU: POWERPC 750 (83.0)
CPU SPEED: 400Mhz
L2 CACHE: 1MB
MEM: 512MB (2x256)
BUS SPEED: 100Mhz
BOOT ROM VERSION:3.24F1
OPERATING SYSTEM: OS X 10.3.2
If anyone can shed some light on this, I would very much appreciate it. Sorry for being so verbose, but these seem to be a peculiar set of circumstances.
Kind regards,
Jamie
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davidreid
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Re:Pismo Startup - 2009/05/21 20:07
Also, prior to this incident the clock on the Pismo was out of whack and returning to something like 1/1/1970 everytime a restart was performed. I presumed the new PRAM battery would fix this, but it hasn't.
Are you sure the Pram Battery is good?
Have you checked the voltage?
It should boot with out the battery but you must know cat urine is VERY caustic and can erode the circuit board fast, it will cause MAJOR damage quickly!
Now for what might seem as the good part, it does seem your problem has to do with the Pram battery due to the clock time not holding, the only problem might be is a corroded terminal or of course a dead battery! Many new parts are found to to more defective than the replacement part! Just a thought?
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Impreza23
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Re:Pismo Startup - 2009/05/22 17:21
Hi David`- thank you for the reply. I haven't run a meter across the battery yet. Should I test black and red wires, and what voltage am I looking for? If the battery is ok and I have a suspect board, which board does the battery sit on and are they expensive? Cheers and regards, Jamie.
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davidreid
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Re:Pismo Startup - 2009/05/23 10:29
Here is the procedure for the backup battery, right out of the repair manual:
Backup Battery Verification
The backup battery saves the PRAM and power management information on the I/O logic board when the computer is shut down. To check that the backup battery is working:
1. Verify backup battery is connected to the I/O logic board.
2. Set the date, time, and time zone.
3. Select Shut Down from the Apple menu or Special menu.
4. Remove the main battery and disconnect the power adapter for 10 minutes.
5. Connect the power adapter, insert the battery, and power on the computer.
6. If the date and time were lost, the backup battery may be dead or discharged.
7. To recharge the backup battery, leave the computer plugged in for 48 hours. It is OK to use it while it is charging.
8. If the backup battery appears dead or will not charge, replace the backup battery.
To get to the Pram battery, remove whatever you have in your right expansion bay (your DVD player most likely), then unlock the keyboard if it is locked this is located between the F4 and F5 keys, release the keyboard thes tabs are located between the esc and the F1 keys and between the F8 and F9, lift while rotating it toward the front, let it rest on the track-pad area, you will then see the battery!
There are 3 wires on the battery - red, white and black just in that order.
The voltages of my battery are:
Red to Black - 6.73 VDC
Red or Black to White is half the voltage - 3.36 VDC
I tested the battery levels with the Pismo off and battery unplugged from M/B.
Good luck.
Post edited by: davidreid, at: 2009/05/23 10:40
Post edited by: davidreid, at: 2009/05/23 10:45
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Hiddenevil
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Re:Pismo Startup - 2009/06/15 13:39
Hi there
You posted to a thread i started regarding my Pismo not rebooting.
Just to let you know i've replied. Hope it's of some use to you
James
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