Apple Discussions (PowerBook): Frequently Asked Questions

This document contains a number of frequently asked questions (FAQ) in the PowerBook Discussions.

Each question is followed by one or more links to technical documents that provide answers, suggestions, or troubleshooting advice to help you deal with the issue that creates the question.

Some of the documents have pointers to useful suggestions posted on the board by other users. These may or may not also have an official Apple answer, but this will be noted where applicable.

If the questions below do not contain an answer to something you are looking for, you can continue to search for using the Knowledge Base, or you can go directly to the PowerBook Discussions forum (http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=120).

Apple's Support Team identifies and makes available important information and relevant software updates on the Important Page. If you don't find information relating to your issue you can click Discussion on the Navigation bar to go to the Discussion Forum.

Take some time to look through the board, or use its search function. It is quite likely your question has come up before, even if it does not have the frequency of the ones listed below. If you find a previously posted question that matches yours, read the posted answers. If you still did not find an answer, please feel free to either post a new topic describing your issue, or add a reply to an existing topic that closely matches your issue.

Questions answered in this article:

1. Every time I connect to my Internet service provider (ISP), Apple Remote Access disconnects me after about ten minutes.

2. How can I print from my IrDA-capable PowerBook to an IrDA laser printer?

3. Sometimes an out of memory error appears and my PowerBook stops working when using the File Synchronization control panel.

4. My PowerBook G3 Series battery does not seem to charge when the PowerBook is running. It charges when the PowerBook is in sleep mode. What's wrong?

5. My PowerBook G3 Series computer cannot make a modem reconnect after waking from sleep.

6. The bottom of my PowerBook G3 Series becomes very warm after extended periods of use. Is there an issue with my PowerBook?

7. The internal backup battery in my PowerBook G3 Series does not maintain the date and time settings properly.

8. What are the specifications for the PowerBook G3 Series computer?

9. What type of external display can I use on my PowerBook G3 Series computer? What resolutions can I get with an external Monitor?

10. My PowerBook display has pixels that are always on, even on a black background. Can the display be replaced?

11. My PowerBook hard drive makes clacking noises. Is this normal?

12. My fax software does not pick up the call and receive the fax.

13. My PowerBook G3 series loses network services when using the built-in Ethernet port.

14. I am having difficulties when I try to print to a serial printer.

15. I will be travelling overseas and will be taking my PowerBook computer with me. Which adapters do I need for the power and modem?

Question 1: Every time I connect to my Internet service provider (ISP), Apple Remote Access disconnects me after about ten minutes.

Answer: See technical document 24802: "Apple Remote Access: Disconnects After Ten Minutes"

Question 2: How can I print from my IrDA-capable PowerBook to an IrDA laser printer?

Answer: See technical document 30861: "PowerBook: Printing to an IrDA Printer"

Question 3: Sometimes an out of memory error appears and my PowerBook stops working when using the File Synchronization control panel.

Answer: See technical document 24711: "Mac OS: Out Of Memory Errors With File Synchronization"

Question 4: My PowerBook G3 Series battery does not seem to charge when the PowerBook is running. It will charge when the PowerBook in sleep mode. What's wrong?

Answer: These things may prevent the battery from charging while the PowerBook is in use: failure of the charging circuit, a bad battery, or an issue with the AC adapter or wall socket.

To help narrow down the possible cause, follow these steps:

• Shut down the PowerBook. Connect it to AC power overnight and see if the battery is charged. If so, your PowerBook should be repaired. If it does not charge, try the next step.
• Make sure the AC outlet works by plugging another electrical device into the AC outlet and turning on the device.
• If the outlet is working, try another PowerBook AC adapter, if available.
• Download and install the PowerBook Battery Reset version 2.0 from Apple Software Downloads.

Question 5: My PowerBook G3 Series computer cannot make a modem reconnect after waking from sleep.

Answer: Install ARA Client 3.0.1 Updater. It is available from document 30716: "About ARA 3.0.1 Client Updater Document and Software"

Question 6: The bottom of my PowerBook G3 Series computer becomes very warm after extended periods of use. Is there an issue with my PowerBook?

Answer: See technical document 30612: "PowerBook G3 Series: Operating Temperature"

Question 7: The internal backup battery in my PowerBook G3 Series does not maintain the date and time settings properly.

Answer: See technical document 30580: "PowerBook G3 Series: Backup Battery Life"

Question 8: What are the specifications for the different PowerBook computers?

Answer: Technical specifications are available from the Apple Spec database (http://www.info.apple.com/applespec/applespec.taf)

Question 9: What type of external display can I use on my PowerBook G3 Series computer? What resolutions can I get with an external monitor?

Answer: See these technical documents:

• Document 24614: "PowerBook G3 Series: Video, Graphics, And Sound FAQ"
• Document 24232: "PowerBook G3: Video Out Specifications"
• Document 28503: "PowerBook G3 Series: External Video Out"
• Document 28504: "PowerBook G3 Series: External TV Out"

Question 10: My PowerBook display has pixels that are always on, even on a black background. Can the display be replaced?

Answer: If you see a "stuck" pixel on your display, take a look at this technical document, which explains this situation. Document 22194: "Pixel Anomalies on Active Matrix LCD Panels"

Question 11: My PowerBook hard drive make clacking noises. Is this normal?

Answer: See technical document 30593: "PowerBook: Hard Drives and Noise"

Question 12: My fax software does not pick up the call and receive the fax.

Answer: Occasionally, the modem will go into data mode instead of the idle (fax) mode. When this happens, the modem will no longer answer an incoming fax call. See technical document 24480: "FaxSTF: Not Picking Up Fax Phone Calls"

Question 13: My PowerBook G3 series loses network services when using the built-in Ethernet port.

Answer: You may need the G3 Ethernet 2.0.4 software, which is available from document 24540: "Power Macintosh G3 Ethernet (Built-In) Driver v2.0.4"

Question 14: I am having difficulties when I try to print to a serial printer.

Answer: Make sure you have turned AppleTalk off in the AppleTalk control panel. These links will provide additional troubleshooting tips:

• Document 30340: "Mac OS 8.1: Late Breaking Tips"
• Document 16067: "PowerBook: Printing to Serial Printer with One Serial Port"

Question 15: I will be travelling overseas and will be taking my PowerBook computer with me. Which adapters do I need for the power and modem?

Answer: The PowerBook computers can use 115 V and 230 V AC. You will need a power prong adaptor available at many electronic and travel retailers. Review the following technical document for more details. Document 129: "World Power Differences Can Limit International Product Usage"

Most modems are not certified to be used in other countries. It would be best to use an external modem purchased in the destination country.