Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Cigar_Guy]

Ok, so here's the deal.

About two weeks ago, I'm sitting on my desktop doing some surfing with my Powerbook on my right, watching a movie and doing messenger (as always). Suddenly, the Powerbook dies on me. The best way to describe this is to say that it went from 100% to pure power saver mode in about 0.1 seconds. I hit space bar and the thing came back on for a few minutes, then died again. At this point, it wouldn't turn back on. I closed it up and opened it the next morning and the whole thing repeated itself again.

A friend told me about the Mac store in Yongsan, but I wasn't able to go until Saturday. He also mentioned that there was some recent battery recall, and it sounded like the same problem I was having. I checked my battery number with the ones listed on the recall and they didn't match up. However, by removign the battery and running it straight off of the adaptor, I was able to get it working for a few hours before the problem repeated yet again. Unfortunately, the Service Center is only open M-F. I managed to go last week before work and oh my goodness was it fun.

I bring in the Powerbook and the adaptor and do my best explaining the problem. After talking with me a bit (and spending some with with the girl on line after me who was having problems with her iPod), he realized what the problem I was having was. Unfortuantely, since he plugged in my adaptor and the Powerbook started up as usual, he told m that there was nothing he could do to fix it since the problem wasn't manifesting.

Must... control... fist... of... death...

Anyway, I went upstairs to the Apple Store and explained everything to the guy there, who gave me the phone number for Apple in Korea. Unfortunately, calling the number just got me messages in Korean, and I really don't want to try fixing this thing through someone at school (translating English to computer English to computer Korean and back again is too much, especially since no one is familiar with Mac at my school).

Strangely enough, the Powerbook seems to be working fine now, but I'm worried that the problem might come back. If you can believe this, I bought my computer about 11 months and 3 weeks ago, so I've got to act soon otherwise I'm going to have to pay for help soon if I can't get it somewhere for a checkup.

Does anyone (pleeeaaase) have any ideas?

[Walter Mitty]

Your battery has crapped out and you need a new one. Same thing happened with my iBook G3 a few years ago.

Charge your battery up full, then take it to the Apple Store. Let them see how fast it dies.


That said, the Apple Store in Coex is very frustrating to deal with. Don't expect good (or fast) service from them.

[Cigar_Guy]

Sorry, should've been more specific. When the problem first occurred, the battery was in but I was running it with the adaptor plugged in as well.

Also forgot to mention that the little light on the front of the Powerbook dimmed to like half its normal power when the PB shut down. It was still getting brighter and darker, but at like half the strength it normally does.

Very weird, the whole thing.

[cheem]

I strongly suggest biting the bullet and extending the warranty asap.

[dbee]

Is it possible that battery/PS is overheating. And that when you take it out it lasts longer because it's better ventilated ?

You can get special ventalation kits for laptops nowadays and they don't cost very much.

I've never used a mac so I don't know whether this is a possible scenario ...

[Masterjazz]

Did you not go to the apple service centre just beside Sinsa station on the orange line.

I had a serious problem with my powerbook and took it there, (w a K friend who explained everything). They were actually very good and helpful, i needed to get a new hard drive and they did it there in under a week and retrieved all my data- but it did cost abit.

Bring it there, oh and they're open on saturday

[Masterjazz]

Oh sorry just read u went there too.. they are open on saturday btw, well i went on a sat anyway. good luck hope u get it sorted