12" PowerBook G4 Screen Issues

[LOLZpersonok]

I am not sure but even if one was the same voltage and wattage, I wouldn't trust it...

I bet that pains you that the G3's adapter is too big yet the same shape as the G4s. Trust me I know the pain of having a new toy and no charger.

I had the same thing happen when I bought my Dell Latitude a while back. It was my first full-sized laptop, up from my little netbook. When I got it, it had no power adapter either, and I had no where near as many computers as I do now. Only except that time I had to wait a month and a half because the adapter I ordered took so long to ship. It was super annoying. Now that I remember it, that was also the time when I shared a computer with my brother, aside from my netbook which was my own.

 

[Altemose]

I had the same thing happen when I bought my Dell Latitude a while back. It was my first full-sized laptop, up from my little netbook. When I got it, it had no power adapter either, and I had no where near as many computers as I do now. Only except that time I had to wait a month and a half because the adapter I ordered took so long to ship. It was super annoying. Now that I remember it, that was also the time when I shared a computer with my brother, aside from my netbook which was my own.

Never had to share a computer with my sibling. But now I have computers all over for repairs...

 

[LOLZpersonok]

Never had to share a computer with my sibling. But now I have computers all over for repairs...

Trust me, sharing a computer really kind of sucks. But luckily I have my own. My brother is using my old computer now because he managed to break both of his. I'm surprised my old computer still works because I overclocked the living daylights out of it and blew three capacitors in the process.

 

[Altemose]

Trust me, sharing a computer really kind of sucks. But luckily I have my own. My brother is using my old computer now because he managed to break both of his. I'm surprised my old computer still works because I overclocked the living daylights out of it and blew three capacitors in the process.

Relax. When I was 12 (4 years ago) I was still using a Dell Dimension 4600. Went downstairs and came back 30 minutes later. Room was filling with smoke and the CPU burned a hole through itself. Not sure to this day how it happened...

That being said, it goes to show just how reliable our Macs are in comparison to some brands.

 

[reco2011]

I have a PowerBook G3 Pismo that I got literally a couple days before getting the PowerBook G4, and even though its power adapter is the same shape it is much too big to fit in the PowerBook G4. Wattage matches though, it's 45 watts.

Matching wattage doesn't mean much. Wattage is merely the product of voltage times the amount of amps the power supply can deliver. For example the 60 watt MacBook power adapter is rated at 16.5 volts with the ability to deliver 3.65 amps for a total of 60.225watts. The 45 watt iBook G3 power adapter is rated at 24.5 volts with the ability to deliver 1.875 amps for a total of 45.9375 watts.

Even though the iBook G3 power supply has a lower wattage rating using it on the MacBook is likely to damage it as the voltage is significantly larger than what is specified for the MacBook.

On the other hand if I could use a 75 watt power supply on the iBook with a voltage rating of 24.5 volts and a current rating of 3 amps. The current rating is how much the power supply can deliver. Thus the iBook will draw 1.875 amps even though the power supply can deliver more. Conversely you should not use a lower amperage power supply as the iBook would still draw 1.875 amps (assuming full load) and the power supply cannot deliver it. So you risk damage to the power supply.

The PowerBook G4 uses a 65 watt power supply rated with an output voltage of 24.5 volts with a current capability of 2.65 amps. Therefore you could use this power supply on an iBook G3 but you could not use the iBook G3 power supply on the PowerBook (you could try but it's unlikely to be able to supply enough power and could damage the power supply).

Rule of thumb: Match voltage and use a supply which can supply equal or higher amperage while also observing polarity.

 

[LOLZpersonok]

Relax. When I was 12 (4 years ago) I was still using a Dell Dimension 4600. Went downstairs and came back 30 minutes later. Room was filling with smoke and the CPU burned a hole through itself. Not sure to this day how it happened...

That being said, it goes to show just how reliable our Macs are in comparison to some brands.

*Cough*Acer*Cough*

 

[Altemose]

*Cough*Acer*Cough*

Don't get me started on them... Let's just say the brand is pronounced a different way in my mind after speaking with their "Premium Technical Support".

Back to the PowerBook, what are you expecting the seller to do?

 

[LOLZpersonok]

The PowerBook G4 uses a 65 watt power supply rated with an output voltage of 24.5 volts with a current capability of 2.65 amps. Therefore you could use this power supply on an iBook G3 but you could not use the iBook G3 power supply on the PowerBook (you could try but it's unlikely to be able to supply enough power and could damage the power supply).

Rule of thumb: Match voltage and use a supply which can supply equal or higher amperage while also observing polarity.

I know what you mean, but as I keep being told both the iBook G4 and 12" PowerBook G4 used the 45W adapters. For the 15" and 17" models they use the 65W supplies.

 

[jrsx]

*Cough*Acer*Cough*

Wut. When it comes to PCs, Acer is my favorite brand, LOL. It seems like they get a lotta hate, but they're products have lasted me the longest in the PC world. I have two Acer's in my house, and they're actually pretty snappy, even though they're low end machines.

 

[reco2011]

I know what you mean, but as I keep being told both the iBook G4 and 12" PowerBook G4 used the 45W adapters. For the 15" and 17" models they use the 65W supplies.

A review on Everymac does verify the information you've been provided. All else being equal I would recommend using the 65W adapter as it will give you more flexibility.

 

[LOLZpersonok]

Wut. When it comes to PCs, Acer is my favorite brand, LOL. It seems like they get a lotta hate, but they're products have lasted me the longest in the PC world. I have two Acer's in my house, and they're actually pretty snappy, even though they're low end machines.

Well, that's good that you have good experiences with Acers. Everyone's experience with the same product will vary. I just hear of a lot of issues with Acers. Personally, HP and Toshiba work quite well in my family. My mom always used Toshiba, starting with her Toshiba Qosmio, then her Toshiba NB305 and now her Toshiba "workstation" grade laptop. I've used HP since my netbook, my dad's computer is HP and my main computer is HP.

 

[LOLZpersonok]

Okay, here is the error report for its latest kernel panic. I don't know what to be looking for, so any help would be greatly appreciated.


Unresolved kernel trap(cpu 0): 0x300 - Data access DAR=0x000000003A5D334E PC=0x0000000000863E14
Latest crash info for cpu 0:
Exception state (sv=0x3A45A280)
PC=0x00863E14; MSR=0x00009030; DAR=0x3A5D334E; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x0086482C; R1=0x1A283B20; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0x008656C4 0x0086482C 0x00861DC0 0x00850660 0x002E9A80 0x002EB94C
0x0008C248 0x00029234 0x000233F8 0x000ABEAC 0x67743B43
Kernel loadable modules in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.GeForce(4.1.8)@0x841000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(1.7)@0x48d000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(1.4.2)@0x63e000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(1.4.2)@0x662000
dependency: com.apple.NVDAResman(4.1.8)@0x678000
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x3A45A280)
previously dumped as "Latest" state. skipping...
Exception state (sv=0x30488A00)
PC=0x9000AF48; MSR=0x0200F030; DAR=0xE066A000; DSISR=0x42000000; LR=0x9000AE9C; R1=0xBFFFE6E0; XCP=0x00000030 (0xC00 - System call)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.11.0: Wed Oct 10 18:26:00 PDT 2007; root:xnu-792.24.17~1/RELEASE_PPC
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xFFFF0003): 0x300 - Data access
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0x000954F8 0x00095A10 0x00026898 0x000A8204 0x000ABB80
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x3A45A280)
PC=0x00863E14; MSR=0x00009030; DAR=0x3A5D334E; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x0086482C; R1=0x1A283B20; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0x008656C4 0x0086482C 0x00861DC0 0x00850660 0x002E9A80 0x002EB94C
0x0008C248 0x00029234 0x000233F8 0x000ABEAC 0x67743B43
Kernel loadable modules in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.GeForce(4.1.8)@0x841000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(1.7)@0x48d000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(1.4.2)@0x63e000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(1.4.2)@0x662000
dependency: com.apple.NVDAResman(4.1.8)@0x678000
Exception state (sv=0x30488A00)
PC=0x9000AF48; MSR=0x0200F030; DAR=0xE066A000; DSISR=0x42000000; LR=0x9000AE9C; R1=0xBFFFE6E0; XCP=0x00000030 (0xC00 - System call)

Kernel version:
D`Model: PowerBook6,1, BootROM 4.5.5f4, 1 processors, PowerPC G4 (3.3), 867 MHz, 1.12 GB
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX, GeForce4 MX, AGP, 32 MB
Memory Module: DIMM0/BUILT-IN, 128 MB, built-in, built-in
Memory Module: DIMM1/J31, 1 GB, DDR SDRAM, PC2700U-30330
AirPort: AirPort Extreme, 405.1 (3.90.34.0.p18)
Modem: MicroDash, UCJ, V.92, 1.0F, APPLE VERSION 2.6.6
Bluetooth: Version 1.9.5f4, 2 service, 0 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: AirPort, AirPort, en1
Parallel ATA Device: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-815
Parallel ATA Device: TOSHIBA MK4021GAS, 37.26 GB
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, Apple, Inc., Up to 12 Mb/sec, 500 mA

 

[eyoungren]

I'm not an expert, but to me it looks like the video chip. If that's the case, then that would explain your video issues.

If I'm right, then no LCD swap is going to fix it and it's only going to get worse.

What happens if you hook it up to an external display? If the same thing happens then it's definitely the video chip.

 

[LOLZpersonok]

I'm not an expert, but to me it looks like the video chip. If that's the case, then that would explain your video issues.

If I'm right, then no LCD swap is going to fix it and it's only going to get worse.

What happens if you hook it up to an external display? If the same thing happens then it's definitely the video chip.

When I boot it into safe mode, it doesn't seem to do it at all. But as much as I would like to test it on another screen, I can't. I don't have an adapter to connect it. And ordering one will take too long and I won't be able to dispute it on eBay. I'm going to make sure I get my money back, because the seller advertised it as working but it clearly doesn't work properly.

Right now I have it booted in regular mode and it is running fine and isn't giving me any issues.

EDIT: I bumped the laptop while it was running against my desk by accident. It was running, and when I bumped it, it crashed right away and the screen graphics distorted. It wasn't even a hard bump either. I restarted it and the graphics weren't distorted.

 

[Altemose]

When I boot it into safe mode, it doesn't seem to do it at all. But as much as I would like to test it on another screen, I can't. I don't have an adapter to connect it. And ordering one will take too long and I won't be able to dispute it on eBay. I'm going to make sure I get my money back, because the seller advertised it as working but it clearly doesn't work properly.

Right now I have it booted in regular mode and it is running fine and isn't giving me any issues.

EDIT: I bumped the laptop while it was running against my desk by accident. It was running, and when I bumped it, it crashed right away and the screen graphics distorted. It wasn't even a hard bump either. I restarted it and the graphics weren't distorted.

What has the seller said in regards to this problem.

 

[LOLZpersonok]

What has the seller said in regards to this problem.

I messaged the seller a few days ago and they did not respond. I left negative feedback outlining the issue.

Unfortunately, if I dispute it, we will not get the shipping back. The total cost was $65, and shipping cost $42, which means the machine was $23. This is going to sound a little odd, but this was my grad gift and the money is not mine.

I cannot repair anything in the laptop (especially if it is a graphics issue which you suggest it might be) and it isn't worth anything. I cannot describe how angry/frustrated/at loss I am right now. I wanted to actually use this thing and wanted one really badly, and now that it has issues and probably can't be used properly for a substantial amount of time, it is practically useless.

I discovered that patting or tapping the left palm rest on the laptop will cause the graphics to distort with each tap, and unless the machine is in safe mode, it will crash. I don't think it would do this if it was the display cable. I'd much rather it be the display cable because at least I don't have to pay huge amounts of money for a new logic board.

 

[eyoungren]

I messaged the seller a few days ago and they did not respond. I left negative feedback outlining the issue.

Unfortunately, if I dispute it, we will not get the shipping back. The total cost was $65, and shipping cost $42, which means the machine was $23. This is going to sound a little odd, but this was my grad gift and the money is not mine.

I cannot repair anything in the laptop (especially if it is a graphics issue which you suggest it might be) and it isn't worth anything. I cannot describe how angry/frustrated/at loss I am right now. I wanted to actually use this thing and wanted one really badly, and now that it has issues and probably can't be used properly for a substantial amount of time, it is practically useless.

I discovered that patting or tapping the left palm rest on the laptop will cause the graphics to distort with each tap, and unless the machine is in safe mode, it will crash. I don't think it would do this if it was the display cable. I'd much rather it be the display cable because at least I don't have to pay huge amounts of money for a new logic board.

When you boot into safe mode you are using default video drivers. Try this.

Boot into safe mode. Go to System>Library>Extensions.

Make a temporary folder on your desktop and remove all Extensions that start with GeForce to this temporary folder. Should be similar to these…

GeForce.kext
GeForceVADriverPPC.bundle
GeForce2MXGLDriver.bundle
GeForce3GLDriver.bundle
GeForce7xxxGLDriver.bundle
GeForce7xxxGLDriverPPC.bundle
GeForce8xxxGLDriver.bundle
GeForceFXGLDriver.bundle
GeForceFXGLDriverPPC.bundle
GeForceGA.plugin
GeForceGAPPC.plugin
GeForcePPC.kext
GeForceVADriver.bundle

Reboot in to your normal user account and see what happens. I had to do this for my old TiBook when my daughter damaged the logicboard. It was the only way the Mac would boot normally. Note also, that I had to sleep the Mac before I closed the lid or it would freeze. Opening the lid later it would be fine. I warn you on this because when removing these drivers the same thing may happen to you. IDK. This is just a stability test.

 

[LOLZpersonok]

When you boot into safe mode you are using default video drivers. Try this.

Boot into safe mode. Go to System>Library>Extensions.

Make a temporary folder on your desktop and remove all Extensions that start with GeForce to this temporary folder..

I really wish I had seen your message before I began to reinstall Mac OS X 10.4. I know it is probably a long shot to see if it will solve the issues (I think it is unlikely, but I don't know until I try) but I'm going to try it anyways. Because I'm reinstalling the operating system from scratch after erasing the hard drive (I really only had iTunes 9 and MacTubes installed at this time, so I'm losing nothing) this should return the graphics drivers to default, right? Or should I still try your suggestion? 32% into the installation and nothing unusual has happened.

Just a side note, I did find someone who was having the exact same issue that I am, and they said that they had a kink/bulge in a cable running from the display to the front logic board, and they removed the kink and repositioned it a little and their issues have completely disappeared. Check this thread at MacWorld to see what I'm talking about.
Bad Video Card in PowerBook G4 Aluminum?

I have my doubts about this trick working for me because the PowerBook mentioned in this thread is a 15". But, I'm going to try it anyways if I continue to have issues after installing Mac OS. Worth seeing if this will help, right?

96% into checking the CD and nothing unusual has happened.

----------

Also, might I add, because I can cause the issue to occur by tapping the left palm rest of the computer I think that the cable I described in my previous post may be causing an issue. I don't think that physical movements and vibrations should affect chips and other electronic parts on the logic board so violently and cause such an extreme form of feedback.

But I could be entirely wrong, and have been in the past.

 

[eyoungren]

Well, the installer will use default video drivers too. So, you can really only see what happens after the install.

If it freezes again, try my suggestion.

Note that the Mac I mentioned before that I did this too also had stress points. In my case however, applying pressure at a certain point eliminated the freezing.

I had two big old binder clips attached to two points on the left side of the case. At that point I wasn't really using that Mac (my wife had had her 12" PB for awhile at that point) so this was an exercise in how long I could keep the thing running.

 

[Altemose]

Well, the installer will use default video drivers too. So, you can really only see what happens after the install.

If it freezes again, try my suggestion.

Note that the Mac I mentioned before that I did this too also had stress points. In my case however, applying pressure at a certain point eliminated the freezing.

I had two big old binder clips attached to two points on the left side of the case. At that point I wasn't really using that Mac (my wife had had her 12" PB for awhile at that point) so this was an exercise in how long I could keep the thing running.

Bet that turned as many heads as your dual 17" PowerBook G4s when you are at a coffee shop. Then again, I have used shims for iBook video cards...

 

[eyoungren]

Bet that turned as many heads as your dual 17" PowerBook G4s when you are at a coffee shop. Then again, I have used shims for iBook video cards...

LOL! No, this Mac was in no condition to go anywhere. It stayed on the coffee table at home. I'd had both of my 17"s for a couple years by that point.

 

[Altemose]

LOL! No, this Mac was in no condition to go anywhere. It stayed on the coffee table at home. I'd had both of my 17"s for a couple years by that point.

Was that one the one used by your son that is now in pieces?

 

[LOLZpersonok]

Well, the installer will use default video drivers too. So, you can really only see what happens after the install.

If it freezes again, try my suggestion.

Note that the Mac I mentioned before that I did this too also had stress points. In my case however, applying pressure at a certain point eliminated the freezing.

I had two big old binder clips attached to two points on the left side of the case. At that point I wasn't really using that Mac (my wife had had her 12" PB for awhile at that point) so this was an exercise in how long I could keep the thing running.

I think that using the default drivers will clear up a lot of issues. I don't know if it's just me, or the screen actually looks better on the default drivers. I'm going through the install process for Mac OS X and haven't had a single issue. I'd try tapping the left palm rest if I didn't run the risk of screwing everything up.

I'm honestly starting to think that there is a glimpse of hope for this little laptop. I absolutely love the design of the 12" PowerBook. I don't care about the 15" or 17" PowerBooks, especially since my primary machine is a laptop with a 15.6" screen and the fact that I often hook it up to a 21.5" display as well. The 12" is my favourite. It is a real shame that Apple laptops are more difficult to work on than other laptops, new PC laptops set aside, because those are truly difficult to work with.

I just went through the entire installation process and registration process without any issues. If it were running in the regular mode I would have experienced some kind of screen problem or crash by now. Actually change that. The screen messed up when I clicked my country and continue.

 

[eyoungren]

Was that one the one used by your son that is now in pieces?

Well, it is in pieces, but it wasn't being used by my son.

The logicboard died, I replaced it with the 17". Later, I replaced the logicboard and it became my wife's Mac. Then my daughter sent it flying off the couch (she was three then I think). That's when it started malfunctioning. So, I bought my wife her 12" to replace it. My son had an iBook G3 at the time.

My daughter used it at home for awhile until I replaced my son's iBook with his 1Ghz Titanium DVI. When I needed to replace his screen I used the one from this TiBook and that's how it ended up in pieces.

 

[Altemose]

Well, it is in pieces, but it wasn't being used by my son.

The logicboard died, I replaced it with the 17". Later, I replaced the logicboard and it became my wife's Mac. Then my daughter sent it flying off the couch (she was three then I think). That's when it started malfunctioning. So, I bought my wife her 12" to replace it. My son had an iBook G3 at the time.

My daughter used it at home for awhile until I replaced my son's iBook with his 1Ghz Titanium DVI. When I needed to replace his screen I used the one from this TiBook and that's how it ended up in pieces.

You have some great stories ranging from having your wife's PowerBook repair ending with a saw, a QuickSilver that doesn't want to boot, a PowerBook that goes flying, and my personal favorite is the 17" that you got for a good deal because people didn't know it was a DLSD model.