Backup (not just pram) batteries have several functions in a powerbook, so that it is unwise to rely on a powerbook without a functional backup battery. The Pismo in particular will commonly refuse to start up without a functional backup battery, or without the discharged one being disconnected. You can, of course, still dabble away like you are already doing.
Before digging too deeply into your pockets for a new backup battery, shut the machine down normally, take the main battery out, remove the keyboard and plug the backup battery leads back in. Leave the machine plugged in overnight or even for a couple of days, WITHOUT THE (DEAD) MAIN BATTERY. The backup battery will often revive in this way, since it will not recharge if a dead main battery is inserted into the machine (it seems to wait for that to finish first, and of course it never does).
User Manuals can be downloaded from Apple. Service manuals are more difficult to find, but can sometimes turn up on Carracho/ Hotline servers and the like.
Before digging too deeply into your pockets for a new backup battery, shut the machine down normally, take the main battery out, remove the keyboard and plug the backup battery leads back in. Leave the machine plugged in overnight or even for a couple of days, WITHOUT THE (DEAD) MAIN BATTERY. The backup battery will often revive in this way, since it will not recharge if a dead main battery is inserted into the machine (it seems to wait for that to finish first, and of course it never does).
User Manuals can be downloaded from Apple. Service manuals are more difficult to find, but can sometimes turn up on Carracho/ Hotline servers and the like.