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New PowerBook G4 battery and A/C confusion...

Submitted by chmjr1965 on April 2, 2005 - 8:31pm. PowerPC Macs

Machine Model: PowerBook G4 12"
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (1.2)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1.33 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 768 MB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.8.3f1

Okay, those are the actual system specs. Here is my question. This notebook is not even 4 months old and my meter is showing anywhere from 93-97% with the power cord PLUGGED IN. The charing light is green, not "orange" and yet the meter is still reading the aforementioned percentages.

Usage - On a daily basis, M-Sun, this machine is rarely turned off. Why, the Apple Tech suggested that this I use it so often that it would be better to leave it on standby (closing the case) even while in my laptop bag. I rarely turn it off rather, like the tech said, I close the cover. So why then, when I plug it back in for use in this manner, does the meter never reach 100%? I always have it plugged in overnight (though my wife disagrees, I do not use this computer in my sleep. So I plug it in, close the cover and go to bed). Additionally, I have to come this forum for an answer instead of going back to Apple (I have a 3-year AppleCare) for the answer. By the way, this is the SECOND battery, the first petered-out after a week. Before it was replaced, they had me discharge the battery and some other steps that involved holding down some keys when I booted up (I don't remember the sequence as they told me that the procedure was not something to be done unless a tech instructed me to do so).

I do not abuse this system, but I design websites and I am frequently in client's offices doing what I do with the laptop NOT plugged in; heavy, heavy usage (no gaming). maybe it's nothing, but it seems to me after spending this kind of money on a machine, I should see 100%, not 93-97% consistently. Last gripe - I switched from a windows-based laptop in belief that for graphic/web design, the Mac was the way to go...well, at least my Toshiba showed 100% when it was plugged in! Okay, that was a whine and I apologize.... HELP!

Thoughts? Has anyone else experienced this and if so, what did you to remedy it?

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dankephoto's picture

re: whine

Submitted by dankephoto on April 3, 2005 - 4:14am.

and the problem is . . . ? What's its actual runtime on battery? I'll wager it's a tad longer than your old Tosh ever got, eh? Cool Mac

However, you can do some stuff. Reset the power manager, reset nvram in OpenFirmware, reset the PRAM, stuff like that. Also, do a battery calibration cycle, that usually gets the battery meter squared away.

I'm too lazy to type out all those procedures BTW, so you'll have to do a tiny bit o' googling for specifics . . .

dan k

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chmjr1965's picture

Re: re: whine

Submitted by chmjr1965 on April 3, 2005 - 5:06am.
dankephoto wrote:
and the problem is . . . ? What's its actual runtime on battery? I'll wager it's a tad longer than your old Tosh ever got, eh? Cool Mac

However, you can do some stuff. Reset the power manager, reset nvram in OpenFirmware, reset the PRAM, stuff like that. Also, do a battery calibration cycle, that usually gets the battery meter squared away.

I'm too lazy to type out all those procedures BTW, so you'll have to do a tiny bit o' googling for specifics . . .

dan k

Got it handled, thus, no whining. Thanks for the input. Read the manual and searched online and it is now addressed and done.

Charles

» Charles "Mac-Newbie" <~~ still
PowerBook G4 12" - 1.33 - 768 MB
PowerMac G3 B&W - 400
PowerMac G4, Saw - 400


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Jon's picture

The system not showing full 1

Submitted by Jon on April 3, 2005 - 4:51pm.

The system not showing full 100% charge is a normal thing, IIRC. From what the likes of Dr. Bob and others have posted in the past, LiON batteries have a "floating" charge rate. They let the battery run down 5% or so then trickle charge it back up. They also ramp charge, which means that they do a fast charge up to 75% capacity, then do a trickle charge for the remaining, to prevent the infamous exploding battery phenom. I'm not positive how the charging setup works compleatly, but thatws about the rub of it in my memory.

» I am not in this world to live up to other people's expectations, nor do I feel that the world must live up to mine. - Fritz Perls

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chmjr1965's picture

Thanks!

Submitted by chmjr1965 on April 3, 2005 - 8:01pm.

I did some reading on this situation and the explanations that I found stated roughly the same. I guess, for the uninitiated, an explanation in our manuals would have been nice. And in my humble opinion, coming from a windows-based world, there is SO much to learn. But I do so love my Macs!

Charles

» Charles "Mac-Newbie" <~~ still
PowerBook G4 12" - 1.33 - 768 MB
PowerMac G3 B&W - 400
PowerMac G4, Saw - 400


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