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Model M6497 or A1005 / 500, 600, 700, 800, or 900 MHz G3 processor

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Powers on only after sitting without power

Hi! I've got several 12" iBook 600MHZ laptops which power on once after sitting for a period of time disconnected from power. Then, if you shut them off or pull the power, they will not power on again until you let them sit for a while, disconnected from power. It is as if they are shorting out and needing to discharge. The DC-ins are good, and I've tried replacing them to no avail. I've removed/swapped memory, reset the PMU/PRAM, etc. It's not the G3 video issue.

Anyone have an idea what is causing this behavior?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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This behavior is a "known issue"

attributed to nvida vchips, and their overheating.

Have you: Reset pram: (hold down cmd-option-P-R keys just after pressing power button) keep holding these down. You will hear the startup chime again. Keep holding until you hear the chime three times.

The following has worked for me in similar situations: hold down cmd-option-a-v at startup. It's an old key command for use with AV monitors, but desperation makes odd fixes look more appealing...

You could try reseting the NVRAM: (command-option-O-F) type: reset-nvram press return type: reset-all press return.

Reset the PMU: see this page for directions for your exact model of iBook.

If none of the software "fixes" work try the old fire on the vchip solution.

Good Luck,

N .

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Sounds good to me. Is their any lasting cure for this other than replacing the logic board? Ralph

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Which suggestions did you try? Which. if any, worked? - the fire on the vchip can last for months.

N.

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Hi! I tried all the resets to no avail, so as you suggest it may be time to try the blowtorch on one of them....

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This is a real puzzler. It would appear something is taking on a charge during operation and requires time to discharge before the unit can be activated again. Because of the nature of this beast it would seem to be somewhere in power circuitry. Do they perform in the same manner with the battery removed? I really wonder at several units with the same problem--have you used different power adapters? Ralph

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It's got to be heat related. If you boot them up and immediately shut down, I'll bet they will start up again.

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Yup, acts the same way with the battery removed (I always remove batteries before working on machines). I've got a whole pile of machines with this problem that I've collected over a year or so...it's definitely not the AC. I agree it seems to be an electrical issue. I'm not sure it has to do with overheating, because they stay on as long as you keep them on (i.e. they do not freeze and crash), and it's just when they lose power or shut down and you try to start them again that they won't power on and need to "discharge".

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rdklinc will be eternally grateful.
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