Beep code help (and PB overheating)

[matticus008]

Does anyone know what one long beep (~2 seconds) followed by what seem to be 10 sleep light flashes means?

My PowerBook has taken to doing that from time to time on boot. It has also re-started its "go to sleep at random and not wake up no matter what" routine. I've narrowed it down to what seems to be an emergency overtemp signal being sent, apparently caused by the touchpad sensor, which is registering completely impossible temperatures (-15C, 67C, 124C[!!!]) after a few hours of use from a cold boot. The only solution seems to be to remove the battery, unplug, reset PMU, and wait a few hours before rebooting it, which buys you an hour or two of uptime. Any ideas?

 

[benthewraith]

Does anyone know what one long beep (~2 seconds) followed by what seem to be 10 sleep light flashes means?

My PowerBook has taken to doing that from time to time on boot. It has also re-started its "go to sleep at random and not wake up no matter what" routine. I've narrowed it down to what seems to be an emergency overtemp signal being sent, apparently caused by the touchpad sensor, which is registering completely impossible temperatures (-15C, 67C, 124C[!!!]) after a few hours of use from a cold boot. The only solution seems to be to remove the battery, unplug, reset PMU, and wait a few hours before rebooting it, which buys you an hour or two of uptime. Any ideas?

I'd contact Apple, other people you know personally that have the powerbook, and other things. It should be covered under AppleCare if you so choose to repair it and bought the extension plan.

I'm not that tech savvy (that's why I hang out in forums like these ), so someone else might be more better. Though it seems like you're right.

 

[matticus008]

I'd contact Apple, other people you know personally that have the powerbook, and other things. It should be covered under AppleCare if you so choose to repair it and bought the extension plan.

I'm not that tech savvy (that's why I hang out in forums like these ), so someone else might be more better. Though it seems like you're right.

Thanks for the encouragement . I'm currently on a long trip with no easy access to an Apple Store, so I can't take it in--also, things being the way they are, I don't have a current backup (isn't that just fate?) and so I'm wary of handing it over to them--there is some confidential case information on it and other things I can't risk losing. I'd lose weeks of time if I had to redo everything since my last backup.

I did call Apple, but they insist it's a software problem, so I know they'll wipe the hard drive even if I tell them specifically not to. It's not a software problem.

 

[Kwyjibo]

Thanks for the encouragement . I'm currently on a long trip with no easy access to an Apple Store, so I can't take it in--also, things being the way they are, I don't have a current backup (isn't that just fate?) and so I'm wary of handing it over to them--there is some confidential case information on it and other things I can't risk losing. I'd lose weeks of time if I had to redo everything since my last backup.

I did call Apple, but they insist it's a software problem, so I know they'll wipe the hard drive even if I tell them specifically not to. It's not a software problem.

They will offer you a type of insurance or triggered data plan, that will basically charge you a flat fee if they need to replace the hard drive or feel they need to wipe it clean. When you call in, if you stress the importance of your data, and it can be saved, this would probably be a good option for you because of your weeks of work.