To run the firmware update, your PowerBook needs to be plugged in to the 65-Watt AC power adapter that was supplied with your computer. The update may take up to 15 minutes to complete.
If your PowerBook can use this update, it will be available through Software Update (called "Aluminum PowerBook (15-inch) Battery Update"). You can also download it from Apple Downloads.
Does my PowerBook need this update?
To determine if your PowerBook needs this update:
- From the Apple menu, choose About this Mac.
- Click the More Info... button. System Profiler will open.
- In the Hardware Overview section, locate the line that starts with "Machine Model." See the example below.
- Check your machine model in the table below. If your machine model isn't in the table at all, you do not need to install the updater. For example, the computer shown above does not need to install the updater since PowerBook3,5 isn't listed in the table.
| Machine Model | Install Updater? |
| PowerBook5,2 | Install updater only if you bought a replacement battery after September 2005. |
| PowerBook5,4 | Install updater only if you bought a replacement battery after September 2005. |
| PowerBook5,6 | Install updater only if you bought a replacement battery after September 2005. |
| PowerBook5,8 | Yes, install updater. |
Installing the update
After you download the update, if your PowerBook is plugged in to AC power, you'll see a dialog box notifying you to open the updater in the /Applications/Utilities folder. (Tip: If the dialog box does not appear, your battery does not need the update.) If you see the dialog box, locate the "PowerBook G4 Battery Update" application in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder and open it. When you start the updater, the instructions appear on the screen:
Click Update to start the process. This updating process may take as long as 15 minutes. Do not interrupt the update once you have begun the process.
If the update process is interrupted, you can rerun it again until the update is complete. Go back to the Utilities folder, inside the Applications folder, and open the "PowerBook G4 Battery Update" application. Remember that your AC adapter needs to be plugged in and that the process can take up to 15 minutes to complete.
After applying this update, you'll want to calibrate your battery, even if you had done so before applying the update.
Battery Update opens each time the computer starts
With some language versions of Mac OS X, the Battery Update could open each time the computer starts or each time you log in. To prevent this:
- Install the update one time as described above.
- From the Applemenu, open System Preferences.
- Choose the Accounts pane.
- Select your user if necessary.
- Select the Login Items tab, and delete the Battery Update from the list of Login Items.