[fredfreem]

PowerBook Knowers:

I acquired a runt of a PowerBook: a 233 (Mainstreet!) Wallstreet with a dead expansion bay battery. I'm not so interested in replacing it though, since I am not a "Road Warrior." However, whenever I start up the computer, both the contrast and the brightness need to be adjusted, as well as the wacky date and time. I don't mind changing these settings every time I start up, even though it's a hassle.

Does this sound like I need to replace the battery? Will it cease starting up one day, even though it is always plugged into an electrical outlet?

I should mention that very soon I plan on opening up the case in order to install a larger hard drive* and some more RAM, so this would be a good time to replace the motherboard battery, if it proves necessary.

* Any suggestions on the best place to purchase a 5400 rpm hard drive for this model would also be much appreciated. If there's a problem, I'll want to know that I can return it.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

Fred
fredfreem@hotmail.com

[pbfixit]

The symptoms you describe sound like a dead PRAM battery. In my experience with WallStreet, non-working PRAM batteries have any been an annoyance and never cause the machine to quite working entirely. However, if you're going to be using the PowerBook on a regular basis, it probably makes sense to get it fixed. However, be warned that installing the PRAM battery requires disassembling the entire computer and then putting it all back together again.
If you're looking for a 5400 RPM hard drive, I'd recommend OWC www.macsales.com. I'd had good luck buying from them in the past.

Luke