At 9:58 PM -0700 3/16/02, Joan Keenan wrote: >We have a continuous problem with several of the slot loaders. They lose >the date frequently and will sometimes start up with the grey screen and >need to be unplugged to get them to restart. We have tried rebuild >desktop, run disk first aid, zapped the pram and on one of them >reinstalled system software. It was suggested that we try replacing the >battery. > >Yes, we could see it so close, but weren't sure we should try to get it >out that way...it IS tantalizingly close! I wonder why they made it like >that...the memory and airport card are so easy! >Thanks, we will try your method this week! I would also like to know >what that software was??? >
Joan (et al), My wifes school has iMacs that are switched off during the summer months. Evidently this can cause ongoing PRAM battery problems. I had saved the following from another email list. Hope it helps. DW -------------- From: "Bonnie/Jeremy Hellman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mac Wizards" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [macwiz] Changing battery in iMac Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2001 18:10:32 -0500 Wizards: � I made the mistake(???) of turning off the power strip my iMac is plugged into when not in use, and as a result after only two years the PRAM battery is dead. I looked inside and see that I can get close to reaching it from the opening where the DIMMS are located. Is there any secret, other than contorting my hand and fingers, to changing this battery? Is some special set of long-nose pliers used? The references I have checked say to take it to the Apple Authorized Repair, but for only a battery change I'd like to see if I can do it myself. � I will summarize. � Happy New Year to all. � mou10man Answer ----------- Problem was how to change the battery in an iMac. It appears to take a contortionist to remove the old one through the port used for adding DIMM and I was asking if there was an easier way. � Response was immediate and complete. � Roger Maxon with similar responses from Randy Singer, TSchneider and Adrian Carey�said: � Anyway, you shouldn't (can't easily) remove the battery through the DIMM access door but it is not difficult to remove the bottom shell of the iMac. There are four screws, two of which are hidden behind the DIMM access door. Once you have removed them the shell should come apart very easily. If it does not almost fall apart on it's own, start pulling it apart from the back of the iMac. The battery should be exposed once it is removed. When you replace the shell start by pivoting the front edge into place and letting the back drop into. � Jerry Levinson referred to a paragraph >from the manual � The battery is also used to power the PMU chip (because the PMU chip keeps time and must always be running) when the computer is unplugged >from the wall (AC power). The PMU is very sensitive and touching any circuitry that is connected to the PMU can cause it to crash. If the PMU crashes, the battery life goes from about five years to about two days if the PMU is not reset. Once the battery goes dead, the PMU will reset the time and date to 12:00 AM 1/1/04 every time the AC power is removed. To fix this situation, replace the battery and reset the PMU (refer to Resetting the PMU on the Logic Board mentioned earlier in this chapter). with Roger adding: � You were lucky to make it two years!! I work in a school system where they are left unplugged for two months and many of the PRAM batteries die. Of course, that is no power, constantly, for 2 months so maybe that equals the amount of time yours is off while not in use. � Since my machine is still under AppleCare, I think that I'll let those guys handle it this time and I'll break into it next. I'm going to leave it plugged in (power strip on) from now on, so I hope next time is several years away. Too bad it isn't as easy to change as on my G3 or other Macs that I've had over the years. � Jerry � Thanks all for your advice. -- The iMac List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | - Epson Stylus Color 580 Printers - new at $69 | & CDRWs on Sale! | PowerON Computer Services <http://www.poweron.com> REPLACEMENT PARTS in STOCK Drives, CD-ROMs, RAM, Mac OS SW, Power Supply <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> iMac List info: <http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/imac-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
