I am using OS 9.1 on the first clamshell ibook, airport card installed, ram
maxed out.

I recently bought a replacement battery as my original battery stopped
charging, but I think the battery may not necessarily be at fault. The apple
authorized dealer that sold the replacement battery said to drain the lithium
ion battery completely then recharge to capacity on the first charge, but I
think the problem lies in the power management needing to be reset.

I have found...

[url]http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449[/url]

But it really doesn't describe my ibook- the closest illustration is one for
the 2nd gen clamshells, that had Firewire. (mine does not, nor is it dual USB).
I'm not sure if it makes a difference, but there does seem to be some voodoo
involved with resetting the charging system.

I used the instructions as the tech note suggests below.

iBook and iBook (FireWire) computers

1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Disconnect the AC power adapter.
3. Remove the battery.
4. Press and release the reset button (shown in Figure 1) located above the
Power button at the base of the display. Use a small, blunt instrument such as
a paper clip to press the button.
5. Wait 5 seconds.
6. Reconnect the AC power adapter.
7. Put the battery back in the computer.
8. Press the Power button to restart the iBook computer.

But the battery will not recharge, in use, in sleep or when off completely.
Perhaps I need to try a different approach?

I have also tried resetting PRAM to no avail.

The AC adapter is from an earlier Powerbook series-- the yo-yo style charger
shorted out in the first year, this less stylish charger has successfully
charged the old battery many times however. But the lighting bold symbol never
comes on to say the battery is charging, and the adapter plug never pulses
amber.

Any tips? Power management settings? Another way of doing the hardware reset?
Swapping the battery out differently?

Is there an external charger available for the batteries? An old usenet message
said VST made one, but that link is dead.

Thanks in advance for any help.