al3000 said:
I normally run it down until it is running off reserve. It is still under applecare, but I do not have an apple store local to me.
How do I recalibrate the battery?
thanks
This is taken from the the following manual located at
http://www.apple.com/support/manuals/powerbook/http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/PowerBookG4_15in_DblLayerSuperDrive.pdf
The other Powerbook manuals can be found here:
http://www.apple.com/support/manuals/powerbook/
Calibrating Your Battery
To get the longest running time from your battery, calibrate it sometime during the
first week you have your PowerBook and repeat these steps occasionally to keep your
battery functioning at its fullest capacity.
To calibrate your battery:
1 Plug in the power adapter and fully charge your PowerBook battery until the light on
the power adapter plug changes to green and the onscreen meter in the menu bar
indicates that the battery is fully charged.
2 Allow the battery to rest in the fully charged state for two hours or longer. You may use
your computer during this time as long as the adapter is plugged in.
3 Disconnect the power adapter with the PowerBook on and start running it from the
battery. You may use your computer during this time.
When your battery gets low, you will see the low battery warning dialog on the screen.
4 Continue to keep your computer turned on until it goes to sleep. Save all your work
and close all applications when the battery gets low and before the system goes to
sleep.
5 Turn off the computer or allow it to sleep for five hours or longer.
6 Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged
again.
Important: Repeat the calibration process occasionally to keep your battery fully functioning.
I would recommend not running your battery down to empty every time in the future. According to opinions I've received on these boards, it can attribute to battery problems and/or failure if done on a regular basis.