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LC475 Playing Dead
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loudpedal
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Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Jenison, MI USA
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Jun 4, 2001, 12:28 PM
 
I am looking at an LC475 for the preschool my daughter goes to. I had donated my old Color Classic to them when I got my new iMac and they have been calling me if they're having trouble with one of their Macs. I don't mind, I love doing this kind of stuff, but this one has me stumped.

When I hit the power switch, the HD spins for about 7 seconds and then everything stops. Nothing on the monitor, no audible activity from the CPU (except the fan). I don't have any other equipment available to double check that the monitor or video card is good. It has a Apple 13" color monitor. I have pulled the battery and verified that it is dead. Could that be causing this trouble? I've tried to boot from the system floppy but the same thing happens. I've used my old Que manual to trace the start-up sequence and I'm starting to think it may be some components on the motherboard, but I haven't been able to verify any suspicions. I have found this to be 100% repeatable although the preschool teacher says that she has seen it start up once or twice. They got this computer from another family about 8 months ago.

I'd appreciate it if anyone has any ideas for me to check out.
"When the light turns green, get off the brakes and stand on the loudpedal!"
     
<Anthology123>
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Jun 4, 2001, 01:02 PM
 
You are right on the mark. A dead battery will prevent the LC475 from starting up, but you will hear the fan come on, the hard disc spin up and nothing else will happen. Get a new battery and that should solve the problem. They are about 5-7 dollars now, 1/2 AA.
     
Walter J. Ferstl
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Jun 4, 2001, 02:25 PM
 
loudpedal,

after having replaced the lithium battery, check if the RAM module is seated properly in its slot.

If it is, it could be a bad RAM module, and you would have to remove or exchange it.

At least, the 475 still has 4 MB of RAM soldered to the main board.

Regards,

Walter.
     
christ
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Jun 4, 2001, 02:51 PM
 
Yup - definitely the battery. Dead PRAM battery has different symptoms on different macs, but on the 475 the symptoms are exactly as you describe.

Chris. T.
Chris. T.

"... in 6 months if WMD are found, I hope all clear-thinking people who opposed the war will say "You're right, we were wrong -- good job". Similarly, if after 6 months no WMD are found, people who supported the war should say the same thing -- and move to impeach Mr. Bush." - moki, 04/16/03
     
loudpedal  (op)
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Jun 4, 2001, 10:35 PM
 
Thank you all for your input! I'll get a battery at Radio Shack this weekend and post my results.
"When the light turns green, get off the brakes and stand on the loudpedal!"
     
Cipher13
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Jun 5, 2001, 06:07 AM
 
Its definately the battery, but if you're really desperate to get it running, if you turn it on and off (not quickly, but once every 15 seconds or so), it will boot up eventually. The monitor will also turn on, if the attempt was successful (if the monitor was on standby, that is).

But yeah, you need to replace the battery regardless...

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WillyB
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Jun 5, 2001, 09:56 AM
 
There is one other area that I've found that you might want to check... there is a fuse inside for the monitor that may be blown out.
-- "Does Microsoft mean 'small & limp?'
     
loudpedal  (op)
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Jun 5, 2001, 10:21 PM
 
Good news! The battery was indeed the culprit. The system is up and running just fine now. Thanks again, everybody.

Incidentially, this machine is an interesting time warp. Full of Photoshop 2.5, QuarkExpress Z, Aldus Page Maker, After Dark, etc. Didn't have my old favorite Super Paint though. Fun stuff...
"When the light turns green, get off the brakes and stand on the loudpedal!"
     
capone
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Jun 6, 2001, 09:56 PM
 
Great news. Zap the PRAM now just to make sure it is clean. command+option+r+p.

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loudpedal  (op)
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Jun 8, 2001, 12:57 PM
 
PRAM zapped. Desktop rebuilt. Humming along smoothly. Thanks everyone!
"When the light turns green, get off the brakes and stand on the loudpedal!"
     
   
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