On power adapters, PMUs and the new PowerBooks

MILE: the support document I linked actually does cover your PowerBook model, it's simply referred to with a different name in that document. Your PowerBook is also listed as "15-inch FW 800," as it was the first 15" PowerBook to feature that port.

So follow the instructions for that group of PowerBooks and you should be good to go.

By the way, does anybody know how to reset the PMU on a 2 year old 15" PowerBook G4 1,25 MHz?!? The info on Apple's site seems to refer only to other models, but I haven't found anything that works for my Book so far...

Take a look at the metal connector on your power adapter where it plugs into the powerbook. Mine was doing this same thing and upon closer inspection the metal (outer loop of metal around the piece that is "inserted") was actually dividing vertically into 2 pieces. In other words there was a split in the metal that wasn't orginally there... I took it in and they are giving me a new adapter.

my ibook adaptor sometimes stops charging my ibook - eg one time when the power was shut off and turned back on, the ibook didnt resume charging (the power adaptor ring showed no light) and hence the ibook was out of juice when I found it :/

unplugging the AC end of the power adaptor (even momentarily) from the socket and then plugging it back in and turning it on again reset it somehow and then it worked

I've have similar problems when using a shredder plugged into the same extension cord as the PB. The PB is OK but the the noise from the electric motor makes the adapter stop working. Simply unplugging the adapter for a short time and plugging it back in fixes that. I don't recall unplugging the adapter from the PB.

I've also had problems with the plug getting out of shape. After two plus years I've managed to step on it a few times or accidentally yank the cord causing it to get out of round. I bought a second adapter for business trips and on that adapter I keep the plastic shipping cover on it when not using it. This is really helpful.

Actually, I experience this problem only when using the power adapter that came with my new PowerBook. My older adapters can remain plugged in as long as I need them to.

What's more, unplugging the adapter from the wall always fixes the problem for me. There's never been any need to remove the power from the PowerBook, too.

Jon: When I was moving my adapter between outlets in the apartment, it was a quick 5-second process. From one end of a tiny apartment living room to the other, for example. For a true reset, both of the adapter's ends need to be unplugged from any source for at least 60 seconds.

Hope that clears things up.

And then there's my problem. I get a slight light show if the laptop end of the plug jiggles (green, off, green, off green, off, orange, off, ...). And then I decide to unplug it from the laptop and KERNEL PANIC.

This has happened several times in the past week. Is my adapter wearing out (the plug end) or is it the little board in the laptop itself?

(15" 1.25GHz Powerbook)

Why did it continue after you moved it around to other outlets?

Reading comprehension FTW. Both plugs must be detached for the adapter brick to reset. Unplugging just the wall plug over and over wouldn't do it.

Why did it continue after you moved it around to other outlets? I call BS.