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PB180 failure

K

KC13

6502
Hello, I have a PB180 that fails to do anything when the power button is pushed. As recently as 2 months ago, it powered up and booted just fine. Is there a "checklist" to go through to troubleshoot this?

 
First thing to do is remove the battery and try it again.
Click to expand...
This, but with some elaboration on my part ...

An unused PB 140/160/170/180 with a battery installed seems to appear dead when it has not been used for some time. I believe the issue is related to the battery, and something with the PMU which goes awry as the battery (good or bad) discharges down to nothing.

Getting it going usually involves plugging it in, pulling out the battery (not completely, just have it hanging out), powering up the PB (also press the reset switch at back), it'll probably sputter to life ... then die. Keep doing this until it comes alive again - you might need to wait ~ 10 mins and try it again. When you get to desktop, try plugging in the battery. It'll probably shut down immediately. Then try powering it up again, battery installed, it'll probably die, leave all to charge for a couple of hours ... and most likely by this time the PB will start up normally, with the battery plugged in.

If all this fails, next try reseating the CPU daughtercard. Clean the contacts with contact cleaner spray.

JB

 
I need to get some shots of the guts of my 180... I think someone modified it at one time, it never completely powers down, screen stays lit when shut down... annoying in that it has to be unplugged to be completely shut off, and it would drain a battery. but it never has any issue starting up with out the battery(which it will never have in it anyhow. :)

 
Thanks, I'll try the suggestions when I get home tonight. I hope it works, as it is in pristine condition save for the rear door which was missing when I acquired it.

EDIT: OK, a friend just gave me his old Fluke 111 digital multimeter! What scale do I use to check out the power brick? Unfortunately, there was no manual included and my friend won't have time in the next few weeks as he will be onsite at a location in the UK.

 
well, have tried everything except reseating the CPU daughtercard. Need some torx drivers then will try that.

 
When I opened the 160 I have there are capacitors on that board. May want to take a look at those. Just like the screen dying issue due to capacitors on it the power connection may suffer the same fate.

Good luck.

 
I'll have a look at those, but if that's the cause then I'm SOL as I have no soldering experience beyond attaching wires to sockets....

BTW, nice collection there!

 
Not sure if this would be the same kind of situation, but our PowerBook G3 wouldnt turn on at all after it died and I just had to unplug the little PRAM battery. Boots every time now.

 
Re: soldering caps... If you're at all leery, check with your friends. Someone will likely have SMD soldering experience. If they do, get the necessary tantalum caps and have them do it while you're watching.

-J

 
Thanks for all the suggestions and information. Will to a tear down this weekend and see what is going on inside. I'd really like to resuscitate this baby as everything about it screams brand new.

 
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