------------------------------ > > > > In a Startup Items (Disabled) folder was 'PRAM Battery Checker' - I placed > this in the Startup folder and once I got a 'PRAM battery has failed' > message on restarting, though if it is a rechargable this could be because > I swapped batteries without the adapter in when asleep. It has not appeared > since. My experience with using software for checking a PRAM battery has shown that it doesn't really work. The PRAM battery in a powerbook is not only for maintaing the contents of PRAM when the machine is shut down, but also for maintaing the contents of RAM when the machine is in Sleep mode and you are swapping out the main battery, with no power supply plugged in. This takes a lot more juice than powering the PRAM only. I have found that a Pram Battery Checker program I used didn't give the correct results. It said my battery was good when in fact my battery was only good enough to maintain PRAM but not RAM. As a rechargeable battery gets old and worn it may still be able to produce the full voltage under a light load but it may not be able to produce enough current at a fast enough rate (thus reduced voltage) under a heavier load. > Again, the machine has been off for about a week and when I plugged in the > power adapter and pressed the on button I immediately got the '8 dongs of > death tune' (sorry don't know the technical name but I assume this is the > notification of a hardware problem message) and the green light in the lid > lit up. After two presses of the reset button, however, the machine > started normally. The 8 dongs is the ram failure tune, but it does not necessarily mean there is a ram problem. > > Any ideas of the cause? The battery appeared OK at first and it seems > unlikely it should have failed like this - could a software problem be the > cause? I can't test with TechTool or reinstall another system - I only > have 7.6.1 and 9.0.4 - until I get a Dock. The power adapter seems to be > the correct one - M2693. I have experienced most if not all of your problems with my 280c at one time or another. If you are going to swap out the main battery while Sleeping, you must have a good PRAM battery, not one that will only maintain time and date while shut down. Apple says the PRAM battery should keep RAM alive for up to 4 minutes during battery swapping. I have known PRAM batteries to not be able to do this for 2 seconds, but yet still be able to keep time and date while shut down. Rechargeable batteries are consumables and they wear out. Software cannot change the chemical decomposition that occurs. I realize that many people have reported success with using Battery Reconditioner and similar software but my experiences have not shown these methods to be anything more than a band-aide at best. Nicads (and NiMH) can and do suffer from "voltage depression" which can be helped with occasional complete discharge then recharge but they have a definite lifespan. Bottom line...don't rely on TechTool, Pram Battery Checker or any other software to tell you the truth about hardware. It will more often tell you a lie than tell you the truth. I will defend these statements to the death! Greg ---------- Duo/2400 List, The friendliest place on the Net! A listserv for users and fans of Mac subportables. FAQ at <http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/DuoListFAQ.shtml> Be sure to visit Mac2400! <http://www.sineware.com/mac2400> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Need help from a real person? Try. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ---------- Dr. Bott | 10/100 Ethernet for your 2400 is finally here! MPC-100 | <http://www.drbott.com/prod/mpc100.html> NineWire | If they are cool enough to host this list... Digital Solutions | ...you should check them out! http://www.NineWire.com/ Midwest Mac Parts ][ <http://www.midwestmac.com> After-market parts for Macs. ][ 888-356-1104 ][ MacResQ Specials: LaCie SCSI CDR From $99! PowerBook 3400/200 Only $879! Norton AntiVirus 6 Only $19! We Stock PARTS! <http://www.macresq.com>
