Mac laptop

jolynyk · Post by **jolynyk** » 19 Jan 2006 8:05 am

My buddy has an older Mac laptop, used mainly for playing games.. the keyboard doesn't have any F-functions.. When turned on a small floppy disk icon shows on the screen, with a question mark blinking in it.when I unplug the power supply, & try to turn it on, The screen flickers on & then the computer shuts down.. on the left side there is a fairly large battery that slides out & it says Rechargeable... Is there a possibility that the battery has gone bad?
I know very little about lap tops, & nothing about Macs.. Shouldn't the computer work without a power supply hooked up to it?
Any help would be appreciated.

Terry Gann · Post by **Terry Gann** » 19 Jan 2006 10:52 am

The battery is probably wore out. Very common. Good luck finding a replacement. It will continue to work with the AC adaptor.

The "question mark" means we're looking for the operating system software. Try reloading system software. Hope you have the original floppy disks! Also, some disk utility like Norton can help the computer refind the operating system. Another thing, If you have anything connected to the SCSI port, (3/4 in. squarish, shaped) disconnect and try to restart.

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 19 Jan 2006 11:14 am

jolynyk

I agree that it sounds like a dead battery. You may be able to find and purchase a compatible replacement battery by searching The Apple Store or Google, for the part number of the original battery, or for batteries for your laptop make and model. You might also search for an AC adapter for that model.

If you want I'll look for you, but I'll need the model name and number and possibly the part number on the original battery. I'll email you if I find a replacement.

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Bob "Wiz" Feinberg
Moderator of the SGF Computers Forum
<small>Visit my Wiztunes Steel Guitar website at: http://www.wiztunes.com/
or my computer troubleshooting website: Wizcrafts Computer Services,
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jolynyk · Post by **jolynyk** » 20 Jan 2006 3:22 am

OK thanks.. Terry I get that icon with a question mark when the power supply is plugged in.. without the power supply it won't turn on..

Wiz, I'll get the model number today & any other numbers I can find..
John

Jeff Agnew · Post by **Jeff Agnew** » 20 Jan 2006 5:21 am

Terry is correct -- the question mark indicates the System Folder is corrupt or missing. The battery is dead but it wouldn't prevent a boot when plugged in to AC.

Your friend should re-install the system software from the original floppies (on older PowerBooks) or CD (if it's more recent). If it's a really old model and he doesn't have the original floppies, he can use a different computer to download them from Apple's site. They've got all versions from System 6 onward.

Wow. System 6. Haven't thought of that one in about a decade. I should boot up an old box just to see what it was like back in the day.

jolynyk · Post by **jolynyk** » 24 Jan 2006 10:46 am

Hi thanks for the replies.. he got the computer as a gift from his daughter several yrs ago.. & he doesn't have any disks with it & no CD player, only a floppy drive.. He knows nothing about a computer, other than turning it on, & playing card games.. I know nothing about macs.. I am presuming he'd have to get a mac to download the system you're talking about??? Correct??