Your PowerBook may be in danger if you have a damaged power plug. The original AC power adapter that shipped with the PowerBook 100, 140 and 170 has a plastic insulating ring at the tip of the plug. It is slightly rounded and prevents the internal contact from shorting with the external contact when you insert the plug into your PowerBook. The problem is that the ring can become damaged. If the insulating ring breaks off, the power plug can short out the PowerBook's battery management circuitry, a problem that requires at trip back to Apple for repair.
My PowerBook 140 had this problem. The symptoms were easy to see. If the PowerBook were unplugged while running, it would immediately shut off. The battery indicator software also showed a slow decrease in power while plugged in. A call to my dealer on a Thursday afternoon got the repair process going. Apple handled the repair in a professional manner, even covering the repair to the PowerBook under warranty and replacing the power adapter. By the following Tuesday, the Mac was back. The total time to get the PowerBook repaired was three business days (with a weekend in the middle). The PowerBook repair staff is great.
Still, if you know you have the problem, it is easier to replace the adapter than the whole PowerBook. In the accompanying diagram, I've tried to show what a good plug looks like and what a damaged plug looks like. Yours may show other signs of damage. Also in the diagram is a top-down view of the plug. If yours has a single slot across the diameter of the plug tip, you have the new style and don't have to worry about this problem. If you have the old style plug and it appears to be damaged, don't take any chances. Call your dealer or the Apple PowerBook repair line.
-Joel Smith
m3 Consulting & Services
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Please feel free to publish this warning in your User's Group newsletter. If you do print the story, I would appreciate credit and a copy of the newsletter. Thanks.
