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PowerBook G3 Wallstreet Troubleshooting

One of the first of the G3 Powerbooks, the Wallstreet was aimed at customization, with interchangeable processors and drive bays. Troubleshooting is fairly straightforward.

Wallstreet won't turn on

Your computer will not boot.

PMU Reset Needed

There is a reset button located in the back that you can press with a ball point pen. Make sure that your computer is off before attempting this. If your machine boots after the PMU reset, consider yourself fortunate!

Bad PRAM Battery

If your computer hasn't been started in a while, your PRAM battery might have died. This is easy to test, because the Wallstreet will start without a PRAM battery. Simply unplug it. There is no need to remove it (no harm either). If your computer starts with the PRAM battery unplugged, then replace the PRAM battery.

Bad Power Adapter

If your power adapter is bad, the computer will run off a battery but won't charge. If your battery's capacity is too low, it will be difficult to diagnose a bad power adapter. The easiest way to test this is to borrow a known working power adapter to test with your machine. If your Wallstreet boots with the working power adapter, the problem is your power adapter. We carry new power adapters.

Bad DC-In and Sound Card

If your DC-in board is bad, you will not be able to start your computer when it's plugged in to the wall. It may or may not run on battery power. This part is not integrated into the logic board on the Wallstreet, so you can replace the DC-in and sound card.

Bad Power Card

The Power Card connects your expansion slots to your computer and regulates the power to different parts of your computer. Your Wallstreet won't start without it. If your machine will not boot with a fully-charged battery, you most likely need to replace the Power Card.

Processor Issues

The computer won't start if the processor is bad or not pressed down all the way. The processor (sometimes called the daughter board) needs to be pressed down firmly to ensure connections. Many people, afraid of hurting their PowerBooks, do not apply enough force. Press until you hear it click into place. If you need to replace your processor, we carry interchangeable [/search/Wallstreet+MHz+processor|processors] of different speeds.

RAM Issues

Two RAM-related problems can occur that would cause the machine not to boot: it doesn't have any RAM, or the RAM it does have isn't registering. First, access the RAM chips. Reseat the chips. If this does not work, try one chip at a time to see if you have either a bad RAM chip or a bad RAM slot on the processor. Remember, you must have a low profile RAM chip on the bottom or it will not fit. You can find replacement RAM [/search/pc100|here].


The Power Management Unit is responsible for dispersing power to the proper parts of your computer. If it goes bad, your computer won't start and you must replace it.

Bad Logic Board

If nothing else solves the problem, you probably need to replace the [/search/wallstreet+motherboard|logic board].

Laptop shuts off when I unplug it


Dead Battery

If your battery is dead, the computer will run fine the off of the power adapter, but turn off when unplugged. A dead battery may not accept a charge (this particular symptom may also indicate a problem with the Power Card). Also, the computer may not recognize the battery. The battery also may be recognized and indicate that it is charged but fail to power your computer when the AC adapter is unplugged. The easiest way to test this is to replace the battery.

Flashing question mark on startup


Bad Operating System

Try booting off an OS CD. Run Apple's disk utility and try to repair the disk. You could also try Alsoft's DiskWarrior. If this fails, reinstall your operating system. If you can, erase the hard drive prior to reinstalling the OS.

Not Enough RAM


Bad Hard Drive





If your backlight isn't working, the inverter may be bad. Other parts that may be bad are the inverter cables, the display, or the logic board. If your backlight fails intermittently while moving the display, the problem is with the inverter cables. Otherwise it is impossible to test for the damaged part without replacing them one by one. Replace the display inverter first. If this does not solve the problem, replace the [/search/Wallstreet+complete+display display|assembly] (which contains both components). If this still doesn't solve your problem, you need to replace your [/search/wallstreet+motherboard|logic board].

Other problems

Logic Board

Logic board failure can manifest many possible symptoms, since there are many components of the logic board. Any one of these components can fail and leave the others intact. If you lose the sound (either internal speakers or through the headphone jack), USB ports, Firewire, or Ethernet, the only thing to blame is the logic board. If you lose the use of another component of your computer, such as the display, battery, or even power, and replacing the apparently non-working part didn't fix the problem, it is possible that the [/search/wallstreet+motherboard|logic board] may need to be replaced.

If you are REALLY motivated to rehab your dead Wallstreet battery, here is how I did it, briefly. You may ruin your battery so be warned. Patience and close quarter soldering skills necessary. Using Dremel tool, carefully open your dead battery clamshell style, removing top lid. Replace 12 batteries inside with 16650 Li-ion. The battery size is slightly smaller and performance similar to original. Carefully note soldered connections as you disassemble/reassemble. Re pack your battery assembly in the plastic case and insert in your computer. You may need to reset PRAM/PMU and charge/deplete several cycles to calibrate the battery gauge. I am getting 3+ hours with moderate/heavy use and can play old games of Myth and Descent!

Bret Ginther - Replica

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