bad power adapter?

It glows amber all the time, even though the battery is fully charged.
Tony Soprano wrote on :
The power cord on my PowerBook 17 has started behaving strangely. It glows amber all the time, even though the battery is fully charged. I also hear a clicking noise emanating from it! Anyone else seen anything like this?
John Johnson replied on :

In article meGdnch5w6pqVS7cRVn-gA@redacted.invalid, Tony Soprano null@redacted.invalid wrote:

The power cord on my PowerBook 17 has started behaving strangely. It glows amber all the time, even though the battery is fully charged. I also hear a clicking noise emanating from it! Anyone else seen anything like this?

If the power cord is indeed clicking, then that's a problem. Have you called AppleCare (should you be covered, that is)?

Tony Soprano replied on :

In article null-A89B50.00354106122004@redacted.invalid, John Johnson null@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article meGdnch5w6pqVS7cRVn-gA@redacted.invalid, Tony Soprano null@redacted.invalid wrote:

The power cord on my PowerBook 17 has started behaving strangely. It glows amber all the time, even though the battery is fully charged. I also hear a clicking noise emanating from it! Anyone else seen anything like this?

If the power cord is indeed clicking, then that's a problem. Have you called AppleCare (should you be covered, that is)?

Yes it turned out to be a big problem. The day after I posted my original message, the PowerBook died. No video on startup, no battery power, nothing. I called AppleCare and they sent out the shipping box. They got it on Friday, shipped it out on Monday, and I received it today. Seems fine now. Its unfortunate they don't provide details of exactly what was repaired, and perhaps how to avoid it again in the future. Apple did a good job and the repair was very timely.

Mac Geek replied on :

In article 1Ymdne9U6MCmNSLcRVn-gw@redacted.invalid, Tony Soprano null@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article null-A89B50.00354106122004@redacted.invalid, John Johnson null@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article meGdnch5w6pqVS7cRVn-gA@redacted.invalid, Tony Soprano null@redacted.invalid wrote:

The power cord on my PowerBook 17 has started behaving strangely. It glows amber all the time, even though the battery is fully charged. I also hear a clicking noise emanating from it! Anyone else seen anything like this?

If the power cord is indeed clicking, then that's a problem. Have you called AppleCare (should you be covered, that is)?

Yes it turned out to be a big problem. The day after I posted my original message, the PowerBook died. No video on startup, no battery power, nothing. I called AppleCare and they sent out the shipping box. They got it on Friday, shipped it out on Monday, and I received it today. Seems fine now. Its unfortunate they don't provide details of exactly what was repaired, and perhaps how to avoid it again in the future. Apple did a good job and the repair was very timely.

you DID reset the PMU first didn't you ?

Tony Soprano replied on :

In article pismogeek-390829.06114915122004@redacted.invalid, Mac Geek pismogeek@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article 1Ymdne9U6MCmNSLcRVn-gw@redacted.invalid, Tony Soprano null@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article null-A89B50.00354106122004@redacted.invalid, John Johnson null@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article meGdnch5w6pqVS7cRVn-gA@redacted.invalid, Tony Soprano null@redacted.invalid wrote:

The power cord on my PowerBook 17 has started behaving strangely. It glows amber all the time, even though the battery is fully charged. I also hear a clicking noise emanating from it! Anyone else seen anything like this?

If the power cord is indeed clicking, then that's a problem. Have you called AppleCare (should you be covered, that is)?

Yes it turned out to be a big problem. The day after I posted my original message, the PowerBook died. No video on startup, no battery power, nothing. I called AppleCare and they sent out the shipping box. They got it on Friday, shipped it out on Monday, and I received it today. Seems fine now. Its unfortunate they don't provide details of exactly what was repaired, and perhaps how to avoid it again in the future. Apple did a good job and the repair was very timely.

you DID reset the PMU first didn't you ?

I tried all the key combinations listed in the troubleshooting section of the PowerBook users guide.

How do you reset the PMU?

Mac Geek replied on :

In article 5sWdnSet-OxjqV_cRVn-uQ@redacted.invalid, Tony Soprano null@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article pismogeek-390829.06114915122004@redacted.invalid, Mac Geek pismogeek@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article 1Ymdne9U6MCmNSLcRVn-gw@redacted.invalid, Tony Soprano null@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article null-A89B50.00354106122004@redacted.invalid, John Johnson null@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article meGdnch5w6pqVS7cRVn-gA@redacted.invalid, Tony Soprano null@redacted.invalid wrote:

The power cord on my PowerBook 17 has started behaving strangely. It glows amber all the time, even though the battery is fully charged. I also hear a clicking noise emanating from it! Anyone else seen anything like this?

If the power cord is indeed clicking, then that's a problem. Have you called AppleCare (should you be covered, that is)?

Yes it turned out to be a big problem. The day after I posted my original message, the PowerBook died. No video on startup, no battery power, nothing. I called AppleCare and they sent out the shipping box. They got it on Friday, shipped it out on Monday, and I received it today. Seems fine now. Its unfortunate they don't provide details of exactly what was repaired, and perhaps how to avoid it again in the future. Apple did a good job and the repair was very timely.

you DID reset the PMU first didn't you ?

I tried all the key combinations listed in the troubleshooting section of the PowerBook users guide.

How do you reset the PMU?

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

Tony Soprano replied on :

In article pismogeek-E04A3C.20214316122004@redacted.invalid, Mac Geek pismogeek@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article 5sWdnSet-OxjqV_cRVn-uQ@redacted.invalid, Tony Soprano null@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article pismogeek-390829.06114915122004@redacted.invalid, Mac Geek pismogeek@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article 1Ymdne9U6MCmNSLcRVn-gw@redacted.invalid, Tony Soprano null@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article null-A89B50.00354106122004@redacted.invalid, John Johnson null@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article meGdnch5w6pqVS7cRVn-gA@redacted.invalid, Tony Soprano null@redacted.invalid wrote:

The power cord on my PowerBook 17 has started behaving strangely. It glows amber all the time, even though the battery is fully charged. I also hear a clicking noise emanating from it! Anyone else seen anything like this?

If the power cord is indeed clicking, then that's a problem. Have you called AppleCare (should you be covered, that is)?

Yes it turned out to be a big problem. The day after I posted my original message, the PowerBook died. No video on startup, no battery power, nothing. I called AppleCare and they sent out the shipping box. They got it on Friday, shipped it out on Monday, and I received it today. Seems fine now. Its unfortunate they don't provide details of exactly what was repaired, and perhaps how to avoid it again in the future. Apple did a good job and the repair was very timely.

you DID reset the PMU first didn't you ?

I tried all the key combinations listed in the troubleshooting section of the PowerBook users guide.

How do you reset the PMU?

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

Oh yeah, I tried that. Didn't do anything. There was a hardware problem. I'm thinking seriously about selling my PowerBook and getting an iMac G5 because I'm concerned about the reliability of Apple's portables. At least based on anecdotal evidence on usenet and elsewhere, the desktop systems seem less prone to hardware issues.

Mac Geek replied on :

snip

you DID reset the PMU first didn't you ?

I tried all the key combinations listed in the troubleshooting section of the PowerBook users guide.

How do you reset the PMU?

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

Oh yeah, I tried that. Didn't do anything. There was a hardware problem. I'm thinking seriously about selling my PowerBook and getting an iMac G5 because I'm concerned about the reliability of Apple's portables. At least based on anecdotal evidence on usenet and elsewhere, the desktop systems seem less prone to hardware issues.

well the PMU IS a hardware issue -- or should I say a firmware issue as it is software at the hardware level.

I have had my Powerbook for many years (last G3 they made) and had only problems that I have had to sort out on my own so I am extremely satisfied with the reliabilty of the machine.

Having worked in sales and consulting for a decade I can tell you that ALL laptops will usually develop something overtime. If anything - in comparison Apple machines are less prone to problems. (with the exception of the iBook issues).

John Johnson replied on :

In article bNadnVIqm7qqdV_cRVn-pQ@redacted.invalid, Tony Soprano null@redacted.invalid wrote:

[power cord is 'clicking' snip] [AppleCare took care of the issue snip] [did you reset the PMU first? snip]

Oh yeah, I tried that. Didn't do anything. There was a hardware problem. I'm thinking seriously about selling my PowerBook and getting an iMac G5 because I'm concerned about the reliability of Apple's portables. At least based on anecdotal evidence on usenet and elsewhere, the desktop systems seem less prone to hardware issues.

All else being equal, it's no surprise that desktop systems are less prone to problems than portable machines; they live a much easier life. That said, I've had no trouble with my AlBook 15". I know a half-dozen with similar machines (12" and 15") who also have had no hardware problems (software configuration on the other hand...). I would not hesitate to trust an Apple portable with my data. In fact, I do trust it with my data! ;-)

Were it me, I'd keep the thing if your only issue is the possibility of some problem developing down the road.

Steven Daedelus replied on :

In article pismogeek-390829.06114915122004@redacted.invalid, Mac Geek pismogeek@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article 1Ymdne9U6MCmNSLcRVn-gw@redacted.invalid, Tony Soprano null@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article null-A89B50.00354106122004@redacted.invalid, John Johnson null@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article meGdnch5w6pqVS7cRVn-gA@redacted.invalid, Tony Soprano null@redacted.invalid wrote:

The power cord on my PowerBook 17 has started behaving strangely. It glows amber all the time, even though the battery is fully charged. I also hear a clicking noise emanating from it! Anyone else seen anything like this?

If the power cord is indeed clicking, then that's a problem. Have you called AppleCare (should you be covered, that is)?

Yes it turned out to be a big problem. The day after I posted my original message, the PowerBook died. No video on startup, no battery power, nothing. I called AppleCare and they sent out the shipping box. They got it on Friday, shipped it out on Monday, and I received it today. Seems fine now. Its unfortunate they don't provide details of exactly what was repaired, and perhaps how to avoid it again in the future. Apple did a good job and the repair was very timely.

you DID reset the PMU first didn't you ?

If I were you I'd test it with another power supply. I've had plenty of laptop power supplies go bad -- usually from having the cord yanked on too much. They tend to short where the cord enters the jack.

If it is the power supply, there's a good chance your battery could already be drained, explaining why it doesn't start up.