01-01-2012, 10:12 PM

I am trying to diagnose the problem with my mother's powerbook g4 12". It does not retain the time settings and apparently this also is affecting some of the programs on the computer. In a PC I would say this is a CMOS battery failure, and from what I read at first it seemed that the powerbook has a similar PRAM battery. However, when I was looking for a replacement battery, I saw something from apple saying that the 12" powerbooks did not have a battery backup (PRAM). Do they or don't they, and if they don't, what could be wrong with the powerbook?

Thanks for your time!

01-02-2012, 12:23 AM

Similar to the 12" iBook G4. The 12" PowerBook G4 does not have a PRAM battery. Instead, the date and time are kept by the main battery, and when that goes dead, the date resets.

That's pretty much it, don't let the battery go dead.

01-02-2012, 02:45 AM

Thanks for the info!

01-02-2012, 02:52 AM

Exactly that, though you could try resetting PRAM and NVRAM, which may help/stop the issue.

To reset PRAM, restart while holding down command, option, P and R. Keep holding them down and wait for the start up chime to ring 3 times, and then release the keys and allow it to boot.

Resetting NVRAM is a little different, and is not necessary usually, but try it if PRAM reset fails.
Restart holding command, option, O and F (bit of a stretch!). Wiait for a white screen with some text to load, and then type the following commands>

reset-nvram (now hit enter)
set-defaults (hit enter)
reset-all (hit enter)

The computer will then reboot to it's start up screen.