Pismo random power problems...

After a few seconds (once I stopped moving the laptop) I heard the hard drive spin back up, but the system was totally frozen.
eschelj wrote on :

Hi all,

A odd thing has started happening with my Pismo. I normally use it with the clam shell closed and external monitor/keyboard/mouse. No issues when using it this way.

The other night, I was moving the Pismo around (basically sliding it a few inches) when I heard the hard drive "beep" (same noise it would make when shutting down the computer), and then the hard drive spun down. The mointor was still on, but all usb functions were killed. After a few seconds (once I stopped moving the laptop) I heard the hard drive spin back up, but the system was totally frozen.

I have been able to reproduce this problem whenever I gently lift on the front corner, or click the mouse "hard". Gentle clicks don't seem to matter, but with enough pressure (not extreme; I've since done it accidentally with normal clicking) the same problems occur.

My battery has been dead for years and I have the weight-saving module in, so I don't think it is a loose battery connection. What is under the trackpad that would have to do with system power? My AC connection seems firm, so I don't think that is the problem.

Could the track pad connection be loose and killing power to the whole system? The LCD display also goes off when the hard drive spins down.

Ideas?

Thanks

matt neuburg replied on :

eschelj@redacted.invalid wrote:

Hi all,

A odd thing has started happening with my Pismo. I normally use it with the clam shell closed and external monitor/keyboard/mouse. No issues when using it this way.

The other night, I was moving the Pismo around (basically sliding it a few inches) when I heard the hard drive "beep" (same noise it would make when shutting down the computer), and then the hard drive spun down. The mointor was still on, but all usb functions were killed. After a few seconds (once I stopped moving the laptop) I heard the hard drive spin back up, but the system was totally frozen.

I have been able to reproduce this problem whenever I gently lift on the front corner, or click the mouse "hard". Gentle clicks don't seem to matter, but with enough pressure (not extreme; I've since done it accidentally with normal clicking) the same problems occur.

My battery has been dead for years and I have the weight-saving module in, so I don't think it is a loose battery connection. What is under the trackpad that would have to do with system power?

The power supply card. It is directly under the center front of the top-case (where the trackpad and clicker are). In fact, the clicker pushes a button that is located on the power supply card.

My AC connection seems firm, so I don't think that is the problem.

Nevertheless, that could be it. The wires inside the power adaptor are surprising thin and can easily become worn. m.

DaveC replied on :

On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 14:50:43 -0700, eschelj@redacted.invalid wrote (in article 1113429043.220780.299390@redacted.invalid):

I have been able to reproduce this problem whenever I gently lift on the front corner, or click the mouse "hard". Gentle clicks don't seem to matter, but with enough pressure (not extreme; I've since done it accidentally with normal clicking) the same problems occur.

There was a problem with the Pismo (that happened to my Pismo) that sounds very much like what you're experiencing. It, too, was caused when lifting the computer by holding the computer by the palm rests (on either side of the track pad).

I believe the cause was the processor card coming loose in its connector.

I'd check the power connector, first, (these are notorious for causing power outages) then open up the lower case (or have someone qualified do this for you) and reseat the power supply card. While in there, I'd reseat the processor card.

FWIW, this hasn't recurred in many years since I eliminated the trouble.

Good luck,