Common questions about PowerBook power and battery issues.

Question: I do not seem to be getting the battery life I once did. What should I do?

Answer: In general, for all PowerBooks experiencing decreasing battery life, you should reset the PowerBook power manager, and check power conservation settings in the PowerBook control panel.

Next, for any battery but the PowerBook 100 battery or the PowerBook 500 series Intelligent Batteries, condition the battery. Operate as long as possible off the PowerBook battery, then shut down and charge the battery overnight. If performance is still not as good as should be expected, you are likely dealing with a bad battery.

Question: What are the various types of PowerBook batteries? Are they interchangeable?

Answer: All 100 series PowerBooks except the PowerBook 100 use a Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad) battery. The PowerBook 100 uses a lead acid battery. The PowerBook 100 must use a lead acid battery, and no other 100 series PowerBook can use the PowerBook 100 type battery. Other than that, the 100 series batteries are interchangeable. Color 100 series PowerBooks should be used with NiCad batteries model number M5654.

All 200 series PowerBooks use Nickel Metal Hydride (NiHy) batteries. PowerBook 200 series batteries are interchangeable, but earlier 200 series PowerBooks, such as the PowerBook Duo 210 or 230, will require special software to use later model batteries, such as the Type II or Type III battery. Use of a Type II battery requires PowerBook Duo Enabler 1.0 or System 7.5; use of a type 3 battery requires the Type III Battery Enabler, PowerBook Duo Enabler 2.0 and system software 7.1.x, or System 7.5.

All 500 series PowerBook make use of a Nickel Metal Hydride (NiHy) Intelligent Battery. There is only one type of battery for this family of PowerBooks, and it can be used by any 500 series PowerBook.

Question: Through troubleshooting, I have come to the conclusion my PowerBook battery is bad. It is my understanding that this battery contains unpleasant chemicals. How can I safely dispose of this battery?

Answer: Apple utilizes lithium, lead-acid, nickel-hydride, and nickel-cadmium batteries in our portable products. These batteries should be returned to Apple for recycling or proper disposal. Customers can take their failed batteries to an Apple authorized service provider who can use the Apple Direct Air Shipping and Handling Program to return the failed batteries. If the batteries are physically damaged, do not return them to Apple. Dispose of them according to your local ordinances.

Question: What is battery memory? Should I buy a reconditioner for my battery to address battery memory?

Answer: In general, any PowerBook battery except the lead acid battery used by the PowerBook 100 can experience battery memory. Battery memory describes a condition where a battery is only partially discharged, then recharged. Over time, the battery can reach a point where the perceived capacity of the battery is that level to which it has been draining to. If the battery is fully drained periodically, this effect can be minimized or eliminated. There are third-party external battery rechargers that perform a deep discharge of the PowerBook battery as a prelude to charging. Apple does not recommend using these devices, as they may degrade the battery performance over time.

Question: I recently purchased a Type III battery for my PowerBook Duo 230. The battery works fine in my PowerBook, but a red light appears on my external battery recharger when I insert the battery. The recharger works fine with the battery that came with my PowerBook. What could be wrong?

Answer: First, check the model number on the bottom of your battery recharger. A recharger with a model number of M7778 only charges Type I batteries. A recharger with a model number of M1812 charges Type I, II or III batteries, but may need to be updated to use a Type III battery. If a red light appears when you place a Type III battery into the recharger, the recharger is either the older model or the recharger needs to be updated. To update your battery recharger for a Type III battery, you must have a recharger model M1812. Follow these steps to update the recharger:

Step 1

Shut down the PowerBook Duo computer, make sure the Type III battery and any necessary software has been installed. If you are running System 7.5.1 the Type III Battery extension must be installed.

Step 2

Plug the power adapter into an AC outlet using the power cord that came with the computer.

Step 3

Snap the recharger onto the side of the power adapter.

Step 4

Plug the power adapter cable into the power adapter port on the back of the Duo computer.

Step 5

Turn on the PowerBook Duo to download the update to the charger.

Question: It is my understanding that Apple no longer sells the PowerBook 100 battery. What can I do when my PowerBook 100 needs a new battery?

Answer: Apple continues to make PowerBook 100 batteries available as a service part. Any Apple-authorized service provider can order a PowerBook 100 battery. The service part number for a PowerBook 100 battery is 661-0782.

Question: I recently purchased a new battery for my 500 series PowerBook. My PowerBook is not charging this battery. What should I do?

Answer: Try the battery in each of the battery bays. If the battery is not recognized in either bay, reset the power manager of the PowerBook. To reset the power manager, shut down the PowerBook and simultaneously press the x-Control-Option-Power on keys. After this reset, you may notice a difference in the contrast settings on your display. If your PowerBook still does not work with the battery, run the Intelligent Battery Recondition software. It consists of an application, and an extension. The application updates the software that is contained on a chip inside the PowerBook 500 series battery. If this update is unsuccessful, the application recommends that the battery be replaced.

Question: How long can I store my PowerBook battery?

Answer: Apple uses four different types of batteries in the PowerBook series of computers. All 100 series PowerBooks, except the 100, use a Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) battery. The PowerBook 100 uses a lead acid battery. Both 200 and 500 series PowerBooks use a Nickel Metal Hydride (NiHy) battery. The 5300 and 2300 series use a Lithium Ion (LiIon) battery.

A lead acid battery should retain the minimal charge needed to operate a PowerBook 100 for at least 3 months. A lead acid battery that has been stored for 12 to 18 months should still be able to accept a charge. Once a lead acid battery becomes fully discharged, it may experience sulfation. Sulfation occurs when the lead electrodes inside the battery convert to lead sulfate. This destroys the battery making it unable to hold a charge.

A NiCad battery should retain the minimal charge needed to operate a 100 series PowerBook for at least 2 months. A NiCad battery stored for 6 to 12 months should still be able to accept a charge.

A NiHy battery should retain the minimal charge needed to operate a 200 or 500 series PowerBook for at least two months. A NiHy battery stored for 6 to 12 months should still be able to accept a charge. In the case of the Intelligent Battery used by the PowerBook 500 series, the Intelligent Battery Recondition software is often needed to revive a battery that has discharged fully while in storage.

The LiIon battery should retain minimal charge for about 3 months in, and about 23 months out of, the unit. The environmental temperature affects the storage life of any battery. Cool environments are best.

Question: My PowerBook 180 will not start from a battery at all. Should I just buy a new battery, or is there something else I can do?

Answer: Generally when a PowerBook battery goes bad, it provides less operating life over a period of time. If your PowerBook suddenly will not work with its battery at all, this could be an issue with the battery itself, or the logic board of your PowerBook. If possible, try your battery with another PowerBook, or try a verified-good battery in your PowerBook to help isolate the issue.

If you are not in a position to try a known good battery or verify your own battery with another PowerBook, there are still some steps you can take. First, reset the power manager of your PowerBook. Instructions for resetting the power manager on various model PowerBooks are available in the online Technical Information Library. Use the search string "power manager and reset" to locate the article "PowerBook: Resetting Power Manager". Charge the battery overnight following this reset. If your PowerBook still no longer works with its battery after this process, you should seek service. Contact your local Apple-authorized service provider, or call 800-767-2775 for further assistance.

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