PowerBook: Power and Battery Frequently Asked Questions, Part I

Questions answered in this article:

1. How do I reset the power manager for my PowerBook?
2. I do not seem to be getting the battery life I once did with my PowerBook. What should I do?
3. What are the various types of PowerBook batteries? Are they interchangeable?
4. Through troubleshooting, I have come to the conclusion my PowerBook battery is unusable. It is my understanding that this battery contains unpleasant chemicals. How can I safely dispose of this battery?
5. What is battery memory? Should I buy a reconditioner for my battery to address battery memory?
6. Why does a red light appear on the external battery recharger when I insert a Type 3 battery for a PowerBook Duo 230 computer?
7. It is my understanding that Apple no longer sells the PowerBook 100 battery. What can I do when my faithful PowerBook 100 needs a new battery?
8. I recently purchased a new battery for my 500 series PowerBook. My PowerBook isn't charging/recognizing this battery. What should I do?
9. How long can I store my PowerBook battery?
10. My PowerBook will not start off battery at all. Should I just buy a new battery, or is there something else I can do?

Question 1: How do I reset the power manager for my PowerBook?

Answer: A separate Knowledge Base article titled PowerBook: Resetting Power Manager describes how to reset the power manager for all PowerBook computers. Resetting the power manager is recommended when the computer is not powering on, not waking from sleep, not charging the battery, or not seeing the AC Adapter.

Question 2: I do not seem to be getting the battery life I once did with my PowerBook. What should I do?

Answer: The Apple Knowledge Base contains some good articles on maximizing battery life. Use the search string "PowerBook and tips" to find the article "PowerBook: Power and Battery Saving Tips." In general, for all PowerBook computers experiencing decreasing battery life, you will want to reset the PowerBook power manager, and check power conservation settings in the PowerBook control panel.

Next, with the PowerBook 140-190, 200, 2300, 500, and 5300 series computers, recondition the battery. To do this, operate as long as possible off the PowerBook battery, then shut down and charge the battery overnight. If performance is still not as good as should be expected, you are likely dealing with a bad battery. The PowerBook 270c, 280, 280c, 2300, 190, and 5300 can use the Battery Reconditioning software (included on the Battery Tools disk or in the Utilities Folder on the Hard Drive) to recondition the battery automatically. The PowerBook 500 series can use the Intelligent Battery Update.

You can download the Intelligent Battery Update at Apple Software Updates.

Note that the PowerBook 200 and 2300 series computers use a different version of the Battery Reconditioning program than the PowerBook 5300 and 190 series computers do. The version that the PowerBook 5300 and 190 series computers use is not currently available on-line.

Question 3: What are the various types of PowerBook batteries? Are they interchangeable?

Answer: For the most up to date information on battery types for various PowerBook computers, refer to article 86797, PowerBook and iBook: Identifying the right battery.

Question 4: Through troubleshooting, I have come to the conclusion my PowerBook battery is unusable. It is my understanding that this battery contains unpleasant chemicals. How can I safely dispose of this battery?

Answer: Apple utilizes lead-acid, nickel metal hydride, nickel-cadmium, and lithium ion batteries in our portable products. These batteries should be returned to Apple for recycling or proper disposal.

Customers can take their failed batteries to an Apple-authorized service provider who return the failed batteries to Apple for proper disposal.

If the battery is physically damaged, do not attempt to return them to Apple. Dispose of them according to your local ordinances.

Question 5: What is battery memory? Should I buy a reconditioner for my battery to address battery memory?

Answer: For an overview of battery memory and proper charging techniques, refer to article 10970: "PowerBook: Recharging Batteries".

Question 6: Why does a red light appear on the external battery recharger when I insert a Type 3 battery for a PowerBook Duo 230 computer?

Answer: First, check the model number on the bottom of your battery recharger. A recharger with a model number of M7778 will only charge Type 1 batteries. A recharger with a model number of M1812 will charge Type 1, 2 or 3 batteries, but may need to be updated to use a Type 3 battery.

To update your battery recharger for a Type 3 battery, follow these steps:

• If a red light appears when you place a Type 3 battery into the recharger, the recharger is either the older model or the recharger needs to be updated.
• If you have a recharger model M1812 and you need to update it, follow these steps:
  
  1. Shut down the PowerBook Duo computer, make sure the Type 3 battery and any necessary software has been installed. If you're running System 7.5.1 the Type III Battery extension must be installed.

  2. Plug the power adapter into an AC outlet using the power cord that came with the computer.

  3. Snap the recharger onto the side of the power adapter.

  4. Plug the power adapter cable into the power adapter port on the back of the Duo computer.

  5. Turn on the PowerBook Duo to download the update to the charger.

Question 7: It is my understanding that Apple no longer sells the PowerBook 100 battery. What can I do when my faithful PowerBook 100 needs a new battery?

Answer: Apple continues to make PowerBook 100 batteries available as a service part and any Apple authorized service provider can order it. The service part number for a PowerBook 100 battery is 661-0782. Additionally, a number of third-party companies make batteries for the PowerBook 100.

Question 8: I recently purchased a new battery for my 500 series PowerBook. My PowerBook isn't charging/recognizing this battery. What should I do?

Answer: Try running the Intelligent Battery Update on your battery. This will update and fix the battery if needed, or let you know that the battery needs to be replaced. The Intelligent Battery Update can be found at Apple Software Updates.

If the Intelligent Battery Update does not alleviate the symptoms, try resetting the power manager on the PowerBook by following these steps:

1. Shut down the PowerBook using the Special menu.

2. Press the Command-Option-Control-Power On keys simultaneously and let go. Pressing the keys will not appear to do anything.

3. Press the Power On key to start up the PowerBook. Your brightness and contrast settings may be reset and you may need to adjust them in order to see the screen.

If the symptom is still not resolved, the battery may need replacement. You can contact the Apple Assistance Center at 800-SOS-APPL (800-767-2775) or contact the Apple Referral Center at 800-538-9696 to obtain a phone number for an Apple-authorized service provider in your area.

Question 9: How long can I store my PowerBook battery?

Answer: Apple uses different types of batteries in the PowerBook series of computers, but all computers since the PowerBook G3 use Lithium Ion batteries.

A lead acid battery should retain the minimal charge needed to operate a PowerBook for 2-3 months. Once a lead acid battery becomes fully discharged, it may experience sulfation. Sulfation occurs when the lead electrodes inside the battery convert to lead sulfate. This destroys the battery making it unable to hold a charge.

A Nickel Cadmium battery should retain the minimal charge needed to operate a PowerBook for1-2 months. A NiCad battery stored up to 12 months should still be able to accept a charge.

A Nickel Metal Hyydride battery should retain the minimal charge needed to operate a PowerBook for1-2 months. A NiHy battery stored up to 12 months should still be able to accept a charge. In the case of the Intelligent Battery used by the PowerBook 500 series, the Intelligent Battery Recondition software is often needed to revive a battery that has discharged fully while in storage.

A Lithium Ion battery should retain a minimal charge needed to operate a PowerBook for 1-2 months. A LiIon battery stored for up to 12 months should still be able to accept a charge.

Refer to article 10571: "PowerBook: Battery Shelf Life" for more information on storing PowerBook batteries.

Question 10: My PowerBook will not start off battery at all. Should I just buy a new battery, or is there something else I can do?

Answer: Generally when a PowerBook battery goes bad, it provides less operating life over a period of time. If your PowerBook suddenly will not work with its battery at all, this could be an issue with the battery itself, or the logic board of your PowerBook. If possible, try your battery with another PowerBook, or try a verified-good battery in your PowerBook to help isolate the issue.

If you are not in a position to try a known good battery or verify your own battery with another PowerBook, there are still some steps you can take. First, reset the power manager of your PowerBook. Instructions for resetting the power manager on various model PowerBook computers are available in this document or at the online Knowledge Base. Use the search string "power manager and reset" to locate the article "PowerBook: Resetting Power Manager." Charge the battery overnight following this reset.

If your PowerBook still will no longer work with its battery after this process, you should seek service. Contact your local Apple-authorized service provider, or call 800-767-2775 for further assistance.