I haven't done either as I was unaware of these two commands. I'll give them a go. What should I expect would be the result?
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I guess it just wasn't meant to be
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They can clear out any corrupt settings - I used them to successful "win back" another 30 minutes use out of an old battery.
I performed both commands and it doesn't appear to have resolved anything. I still need to hold down shift-command-option-power to power on the system after immediately shutting it down. I'll hold off on drawing any conclusions until I've let the current NVRAM battery have a chance to recharge.
Now I got confused with main and pram and battery
Yes, I replaced the main battery, fully charged it, then took the PB apart and it kept its time and date, despite the main battery beeing removed. That proves that at least my battery is rechargeable.
And as you have stated some years ago that "Starting with the Powerbook G4 550Mhz/667Mhz model, they have rechargeable lithium coin batteries." I don't know why we are discussing, when it seems we want to say the same
Another update: The "new" NVRAM battery did not charge after 48 hours with the laptop being plugged in. The seller is sending a replacement which I've requested they test before shipping it to me.
In the meantime it seems odd the original NVRAM battery will recharge but is unable to sustain the clock through an power off and immediate power on. This makes me suspect something is wrong with the laptop. It seems odd the laptop is able to charge the NVRAM battery but not be able to utilize it to keep the RTC accurate for a few seconds.
Anyone have any thoughts as to what might be causing this? I've seen references to Apple Hardware Test discs and I'm wondering if there's one available for the 17" PowerBook @ 1.5GHz and, if so, where I could locate it.
Any information is appreciated. System is usable but I'd like to resolve this if possible.
In the meantime it seems odd the original NVRAM battery will recharge but is unable to sustain the clock through an power off and immediate power on. This makes me suspect something is wrong with the laptop. It seems odd the laptop is able to charge the NVRAM battery but not be able to utilize it to keep the RTC accurate for a few seconds.
Anyone have any thoughts as to what might be causing this? I've seen references to Apple Hardware Test discs and I'm wondering if there's one available for the 17" PowerBook @ 1.5GHz and, if so, where I could locate it.
Any information is appreciated. System is usable but I'd like to resolve this if possible.
Another update. The hardware diagnostics didn't reveal any issues with the laptop so I see that I have three options remaining:
- Wait for the seller to send me another NVRAM battery and see if that solves the problem (assuming the new NVRAM battery actually works)
- Buy a main battery and see if that solves the problem. I don't see why it should but one never knows
- Leave it as is and just reset the date / time when I use it. Given I don't plan to use it often this isn't a significant issue
I'd vote for replacing the main battery. It will make it a portable Mac again plus knock the NVRAM/PRAM issue on the head by simply bypassing the dependency on the smaller battery. Of course, it will cost quite a bit more though...
One of my iBook G4 systems can't retain the date either... It will, however, automatically get the correct date & time when connecting to a network, does your's do the same??
I not sure I want to put that much money into it as I really don't have any purpose for it (or the other two 12" PowerBooks I purchased) I picked it up for dirt cheap to play around with and I think I can do so as is. Though I have enjoyed trying to figure out the problem.
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I does and that might just be a work around for the problem.
It's the battery, not NVRAM battery, but laptop battery. I only have one g4 battery that holds a charge, and it works fine with that battery in it, however when I either take it out a few hours, or use the old dead battery, the date & time are lost. I wouldn't worry about it to much.
Your iBook does not use a PRAM battery, it has a PRAM capacitor that can hold the charge for about 30 minutes. iBooks and 12" Powerbooks use the main laptop batter to keep the PRAM and clock alive.
Well option one is off the table. The seller is unable to send me a working battery. I find it odd the battery will charge but the clock will not keep time.