To re-recap, this 520c was falling asleep whenever it felt like it. This could happen right after booting, while a program was running and quite often while I was typing something. I got advice to reset the PRAM by disconnecting the battery. This seemed to work for two bootings, then it was back to its old tricks again. It also flatly refuses to spin down it's hard drive. That is still a problem but the sleep problem is fixed. I'll relate how in case somebody else runs into this problem.
The annoyance returned when I removed a battery and inserted another one while the PowerBook was running off the AC Adapter. I woke it up and tried swapping batteries again. It went to sleep. I decided that this wasn't a software or electronic problem. It had to be a mechanical problem related to movement on or in the top of the case near where the PRAM battery plugs in and the power supply batteries seat against the springs (raise your hands if you've figured it out). As it turns out there is a mechanical thing in this area that is responsible for putting a 5xx PowerBook to sleep, the switch that works when you close the book. I removed the top of the case and sprayed some silicone into this switch, worked it up and down a few times, reassembled the PB and it's cured. =============================== Hardy, Hard's Disk Ltd., Freehold NY. A branch of the Abandoned Computer Shelter. Apple and Mac parts gratefully accepted. Systems charitably donated. http://www.jmug.org/acs for a branch near you. -- PowerBooks is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PowerBooks list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; 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/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
