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Replacing Powerbook "Mainstreet" battery

post #1 of 8
6/25/02 at 2:23pm
Thread Starter 
This forum is my last hope to get the battery replaced.

I have a Powerbook G3 Series, sometimes refered to as the "Mainstreet" ( The original "Wallstreet" ) laptop. The internal battery has died and Apple support says to send it to them. I was quoted a similar price from a local Apple certified service center. I think the battery and its replacement shouldn't need to cost over $200, so I hope to do it myself.

I have found two sites on the Web that have the battery, but they do not have instructions for its replacement.

I have opened my PB before (replaced the Harddrive and upgraded the Memory), but I do not recall ever seeing the battery.

I am hoping that someone has done this before or may know where there are instructions to do this.

Thanks
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post #2 of 8
6/25/02 at 2:32pm
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Are you talking about the small internal battery for date and time, or the large rechargable lithium battery for main power? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
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post #3 of 8
6/25/02 at 2:55pm
Thread Starter 
Not to be rude, but I don't think anyone is so stupid that they would need help to replace a bay device.

Though I have never seen Apple refer to it as one, the PC term for it would be the clock battery. Though on the PB it supplies power to everything but the display and harddrive.

Kenny must die... to live
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post #4 of 8
6/25/02 at 3:27pm
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Yes I know. I'm not that dumb, but then again, the tiny battery inside doesn't cost anything near $200. Just covering bases. Anyway, you need to zap the P-RAM after replacing the battery. It's a simple plug, you just pop the old one out, click the new one in, and zap the ram. The battery in mine is located in the right drive bay. It is bigger than the ones in desktops, and has a black plastic wrapper.

[ 06-25-2002: Message edited by: Ebby ]</p>
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post #5 of 8
6/25/02 at 3:45pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry.

The web has the battery for around $50.

Add the Apple Technical hourly rate for analysis(even though I know what needs to be replaced).

Add the Apple Technical hourly rate for the replacement (with a minimum charge).

Apple Technical charge estimated by Apple to be $160.

Add to that, the shipping and insurance to and from Apple.

Wow. :eek:

Thanks for your input.
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post #6 of 8
6/25/02 at 3:57pm
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Oh, that makes sense. I forgot the 200%+ mark up.
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post #7 of 8
6/26/02 at 3:00am
Well, do it if you feel confident you can. However, be advised that to replace that one teensy battery, you have to completely dismantle your powerbook. Completely.


Also, you would have to be an insane freak to attemp this WITHOUT THE MANUAL. Do NOT attempt this w/ out a manual.
You can download the manual from a couple places online. It's a PDF, and about 7.5MB or so. Search google or something.
You really only need one obscure, small torx screwdriver to take the whole book apart. It's a nicely engineered little Mac, these Wallstreets are.
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post #8 of 8
6/26/02 at 3:18am
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[quote]Originally posted by an Insane Freak :
<strong>What do you mean? I can see the battery in my powerbook through the drive bay. And with a needle-nose, could probably take it out without even lifting the keyboard. A manual is a good idea, but it is a battery. Battery in, battery out. (and the ram-thing) It's pretty simple.

But then, what do I know...</strong><hr></blockquote>

[ 06-26-2002: Message edited by: Ebby ]</p>
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