Hi guys, I inherited a 12" PowerBook G4 (867 MHz) and it's having some trouble booting up and running. Near as I can tell, it's something power-related. If I start the computer with only battery power, it chimes, loads the OS, and appears to work fine -- but the display is dead. Not dim (i.e. inverter failure), but completely dark, like it's not getting the video signal. After a failed boot like that, if I turn off the computer and immediately plug in the power cord, it'll start up normally about 90% of the time. Other times, there's no display.
If I run the computer solely off battery power, it is very unstable and will usually freeze. I have tried a second battery and the symptoms are even worse; it'll crash almost immediately.
The issue appears to be independent of OS, but I've just installed Leopard to see if there are any improvements. I was running 10.2.6, which is old, I know. I've also reset the PRAM/NVRAM (using keystroke and Open Firmware) and reset the PMU. At this point, I'm suspecting either a DC board failure (either DC-in (adapter) or DC-in (battery)) or perhaps a dead PMU battery. Intermitttent problems are the worst to diagnose... what do you guys think?
If I run the computer solely off battery power, it is very unstable and will usually freeze. I have tried a second battery and the symptoms are even worse; it'll crash almost immediately.
The issue appears to be independent of OS, but I've just installed Leopard to see if there are any improvements. I was running 10.2.6, which is old, I know. I've also reset the PRAM/NVRAM (using keystroke and Open Firmware) and reset the PMU. At this point, I'm suspecting either a DC board failure (either DC-in (adapter) or DC-in (battery)) or perhaps a dead PMU battery. Intermitttent problems are the worst to diagnose... what do you guys think?