Hello,

This morning my PB 5,8 did not turn on. It has happened to me before some times but after letting it charge for like half an hour, it then started normally. But not this time. Tried with another battery but no luck. Both batteries, an original Apple and a replacement one, where failing. MOS was unable to tell the charge remaining, but it could still be usable for an hour or so.

Tried just with the power adapter alone (no battery) but it doesn`t work either. I guess the batteries may be dead now and don`t let the PB turn on... or could it be my PB is dead?

I have a working PB 5,2 with a failing battery also. Would it be ok to use its battery with the 5,8 or could that damage the battery more, or worse, the PB 5,8 if it still is recoverable?

I'd check if the internal PRAM battery is OK.

I once got sudden problems on turning on my PB 5,9, and although I don't remember details that well anymore, I think it also didn't start with or without battery anymore (these computers should run without battery just fine too).

Resetting PMU (Power Management Unit) did help in my case and the issue never came back after that, it's been running fine for years now after the incident with the same battery.

So I'd advice to google how to reset the PMU on your particular model and try that, it was an easy operation.


[ Edited by jPV 28.02.2019 - 16:33 ]

If PB runs from a charged battery, but does not charge it - It might be a broken power module. I assume that you have a 65W Apple PSU, 45W ones or non Apple ones can be problematic esp. w/o the battery. If your PB5,2 boots with its battery, then PB5,8 should boot with it as well.

Unfortunately, it's probably dead. The power input circuitry of laptops is what kills most of them, whether Apple or otherwise. I have an old laptop which to all appearances looks totally dead, but will on very rare occasions switch on for no apparent reason... only to not turn on again if shut down. I can't even imagine what's gone wrong electronically there.

It tends to happen when the batteries are old and failing, so it may be something to do with damage trying to charge dead batteries. I always advise removing failing batteries ASAP.

@koszer
If the internal PRAM battery is not OK, then date and time will reset after every turn off?

@jPV
Not luck with the reset. That worked with my PB 5,2 some time ago, but not now with the 5,8.

@Korni
Yes, I have an Apple 65W PSU. I`ll try swapping batteries.

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My PB 5,2 turns on without battery but my 5,8 doesn`t.

Also, I`ve noticed that the light is always orange. Should be green for a couple of seconds while detecting the charge and then orange if not fully charged. Also, with no battery, it is always orange.

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I was planning on buying a replacement battery but now... I should buyi another Powerbook.

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Update: charging the battery in the PB5,2 and then using it in the PB 5,8 works! So something is wrong with the later.

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So it only runs off battery but can't run off mains or charge batteries any more?

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It's a power module board, relatively easy to replace.

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Yes, that is the case.

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Is that a DC-in and Soundcard board? It is mentioned in some searches I made looking about my problem. I'll see if I can get the part and maybe a PRAM battery while I'm on it.

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Yes.