Powerbook 170 Battery Door won't open

[fairchild]

Any ideas? Got it for free, and am excited to get it working. It powers on, but with weird pattern on screen. I'm trying to slide the battery door open, and it just won't move. I don't want to use a screwdriver as I fear i might damage it as it's in great shape.

Thanks

Mark

 

[IIfx]

The plastic battery lock thing can get VERY stiff with age. Apply tons of force. You may need to pry it open regardless. If I recall correctly, opening up the Powerbook will also let you free the battery - check the service manual first though, its been 2 years since I opened mine up! :beige:

Also, this thread would be better placed in the 68k Powerbook section.

 

[Byrd]

The battery might also have corroded/expanded making it even more difficult to slide back the door. I'd give it a squirt/exercise the slider with some sewing machine oil/small squirt of WD40 to free it up.

 

[fairchild]

Got it out! Thanks for giving me some confidence! I ended up using a thicker guitar pick to gently pry it loose. Battery isn't expanded or corroded luckily.

Now just to solve the checkerboard pattern.

 

[JRL]

I have the same checkerboard problem with one of my PB 170s... from my knowledge it could be a faulty RAM module if it's just stuck there. My PB 170 with the checkerboard goes to a normal screen after several seconds though, and reseating my module didn't help unfortunately.

 

[fairchild]

Yeah, I tried reseating RAM expansion and daughterboard, still getting funky checkerboard. I'm wondering if it has anything to do with pram battery. At least the hardrive spins up.

 

[uniserver]

At least the hardrive spins up.

bonus!!!