Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Tiny-E · Sep 11, 2003, 02:05 AM

My powerbook's battery (g4 550 mhz) now lasts for less than an hour after full charge. I only noticed it a few weeks ago playing a dvd in my living room after unplugging it from my desk.

Usually, I keep it plugged into the socket and I usually never turn it off (ie. always on). I have it set to longest battery life on the energy saver in preferences. I bought my laptop in Canada but have been using it in Australia with just a simple adaptor for the differences in power.

Anybody know what's happening????? I'm watching the power just drain away here by the minutes...

mousehouse · Sep 11, 2003, 02:55 AM

my guess would be that your battery is dying. you could try to get it replaced but i guess that your warranty has expired some time ago. a new batt goed for about $150 here, maybe you can get one cheaper through a local store?

Preciousss · Sep 11, 2003, 10:12 AM

Before going out and dropping the cash for a new battery, I would try calibrating your current one first (unplugging and letting the battery run down until your PB goes to sleep, then plugging it in and charging it uninterrupted to 100%).

Then I would reset the PMU (if you don't know how, you can find a knowledge base doc). I've read some past posts that said resetting the PMU 3 times in a row, rather than just once, is more effective. <shrug> No need to restart after each one, just hold that button down for 20 secs., release and repeat.

Let us know how you make out.

Tiny-E · Sep 11, 2003, 05:10 PM

Where do I find this PMU or knowledge base doc?? Thanks....

romeosc · Sep 11, 2003, 05:14 PM

Originally posted by Tiny-E:
Where do I find this PMU or knowledge base doc?? Thanks....

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449

This is for all PowerBooks

mattyd · Sep 11, 2003, 07:18 PM

Tiny-E, curious to know if you have any luck extending your battery life by resetting the pmu. i'm also down to about an hour of battery life on my Ti400, so far nothing has helped. looks like i'm going to have to buy a new battery for $140.

Tiny-E · Sep 11, 2003, 07:51 PM

Preciousss (or anyone else that might know), do I press the PMU three times in a row (like you said) while the computer is off, then turn it on? Or do I do it once, turn on the computer, turn it off, do it again, turn it on, turn it off, do it again, then see if it works?