PB losing power when plugged in

[j26]

I'm in the middle of importing some DV video into my PB and I just noticed that my battery is down to 10% even though the damn thing is plugged in. The light on the cord is green, so it's getting power somehow.

I'm attached to a few things at the moment - external HD, graphics tablet, printer and pda via a usb hub, an external monitor and the camcorder via firewire. I've tried pulling out everything but the HD and firewire.

Anyone any ideas what it is??

Damn, 8% left.

 

[Applespider]

Is the HD powered or not? If not, you're pulling more power than your PB can supply. I'd pause the import for a start.

You've never swapped your PB charger with anyone else's and accidentally have a lower spec'd iBook one perhaps?

 

[j26]

The HD is powered and turned on, and the usb hub is a 4 port powered hub and is plugged in too. The charger is 45w (don't know if that is the right one), but I am in college with a guy who owned an iBook (he got a mbp since). However I haven't seen him or his iBook in a couple of months.

I just about got the import done with 2% left, but the charger is acting mad, sometimes it goes dead, and other times charging. Luckily it's charging the the moment It's making me wonder is the charger on the way out. Hopefully it's just that, as I don't fancy the bill to repair it if there's something more wrong.

If there's something more serious wrong, it may force my hand in the mb or iMac/pb combo argument that's going on in my head.

 

[aricher]

My PB 17" 1.33 had the exact same problem. Turned out to be a bad logic board. AppleCare replaced it and had it back in my hands in 3 days. Take it into an Apple Store and ask the Genius Bar folks if you can use one of their chargers to see if it is just the charger. If it is, buy a new one, if it's not... bad news.

 

[j26]

My PB 17" 1.33 had the exact same problem. Turned out to be a bad logic board. AppleCare replaced it and had it back in my hands in 3 days. Take it into an Apple Store and ask the Genius Bar folks if you can use one of their chargers to see if it is just the charger. If it is, buy a new one, if it's not... bad news.

Oh bugger, and there's no Apple Stores in Ireland. Unfortunately I also know nobody with a PowerBook. It seems to be charging fine now, but I'm getting very worried.

 

[Applespider]

The HD is powered and turned on, and the usb hub is a 4 port powered hub and is plugged in too. The charger is 45w (don't know if that is the right one)

What PB do you have? I've got a Rev A 15" PB and mine is 65w
Mum's iBook has a 45w one - and I noticed once when I needed an emergency top-up that it took longer to charge.

 

[j26]

It's a 12" G4 1.33. Since it's smaller, maybe it uses the smaller charger. I know the MBP charger is considerably bigger.

*Prays*