WON'T POWER ON: PowerBook Wallstreet PDQ

[JDW]

I have two PowerBook Wallstreet PDQ notebooks that once worked fine several years ago), but now neither will power-on when I press the POWER button (long or short press).

When I first plug-in the Apple AC Adapter, the fan spins at full blast and the green power LED lights for a couple seconds, and then the fan and LED power off. After that, pressing the power button does nothing.

I have no working battery anymore, so I only have AC power from the stock adapter. I've tested both PDQ machines with nothing in either drive bay and with even the hard drive removed, but to no avail. Both PDQ machines respond in the exact same way — power button doesn't power them on, despite my hearing the fan spin and LED light initially after connecting the AC Adapter. I've swapped their CPU cards, but again, it doesn't resolve the problem.

Here's a video overview of what I explained and mentions a couple voltage measurements I made too...

Wallstreet repair experts...
How can I fix these machines?

 

[JDW]

Here's a video showing how I removed the PRAM battery (just FYI)...

 

[JDW]

This video shows the two DC boards, showing how there is nothing wrong with the solder joints at the barrel plug, and showing the electrolytic capacitors on the primary (big) DC board located near the trackpad.

 

[JDW]

Here are photos of the insides of the Newer Technology Nupower PRAM battery (for PB G3 Wallstreet) that is now dead, and which I purchased back in the day from OWC...




Interestingly, the CR2330 3V button cells they used are NOT rechargeable. Hmmm...