I bought a 12" Powerbook G4 for $100. It's in fair condition, but there are quite a lot of case deformities/bumps. It came with the original boxes/packaging, a case, iWork disk, Leopard disk, and Office Mac disk. Do you guys think this was a good deal?
1.5 GHz G4
1.25 GB RAM
12" screen
There were some issues I was having, however.
First of all, it didn't come with the OEM Apple AC adapter, it came with a Newertechnology 3rd party adapter, and I noticed that the power would constantly become disconnected with the shifting of the notebook if the cord was all the way inside the slot. I'm wondering if this is because the power slot is deformed or whether the power adapter is just won't stay in the slot/is there a way to fix this? Pics are attached.
Also, the keyboard works, but the delete key doesn't. Is there any solution to this or am I going to have to buy a $30 replacement keyboard?
Thanks guys.
Good luck. It's pretty impressive what has happened so far.
As for the good news: the DC-In module was the culprit
I thought that might be the case. Usually when it's that loose that's where the problem is. I've had to (as I mentioned) replace a few, one of which was because I was stupid and tripped over the power cord.As for the good news: the DC-In module was the culprit
Yeah. That's the key I broke. You can find one on eBay for $1-3 or do a Google search. There's a company in Scottsdale, AZ that sells individual keys for $5 including shipping.Okay, I've fixed the fan problem and sound distortions. I've lost many screws, however. Not a biggie though; at least eveeything works now.
I also broke the latch on the F12 key by accident... whoops.
I'll post pictures later.
I'll definitely order another latch.
The new thermal paste on the fan is doing wonders. Now the fan only comes on during the most intensive tasks for about 10-20 seconds.
Cosmetically, the machine looks awful, but at least everything works properly.
The fans on my 17" PowerBooks usually kick in around 140ºF, but I've had as high as yours before. Don't worry too much. If the temp exceeds the design limits the PB will automatically shut off. That's thermal shutdown and it's built in to protect the Mac.Crap, now my temperatures while watching a Youtube video are getting as high as 66 C. That dang thermal paste...
I can only hope that it does not get any higher because I'm sure as hell not opening her up again.
The fans on my 17" PowerBooks usually kick in around 140ºF, but I've had as high as yours before. Don't worry too much. If the temp exceeds the design limits the PB will automatically shut off. That's thermal shutdown and it's built in to protect the Mac.
I had it happen a few times when working on my wife's 12" PB. Didn't think the Mac needed the heat sink when I put it back together.
A few thermal shutdowns later and I had opened it back up to put it back in.
Youtube is intensive for G4 processors. You may get a better experience with Mactubes, which is an app for Youtube video.
Do you think it's worth another hour of my time to apply new thermal paste? My biggest concern is that eventually the processor will get damaged.
I've already put 12+ working hours into this computer
My blood and sweat went into it (literally, I cut my finger and bled all over the computer).
I've done that. Any time I work on a computer it always takes a piece of me. I've just come to expect it.Do you think it's worth another hour of my time to apply new thermal paste? My biggest concern is that eventually the processor will get damaged.
I've already put 12+ working hours into this computer
My blood and sweat went into it (literally, I cut my finger and bled all over the computer).
I've done that. Any time I work on a computer it always takes a piece of me. I've just come to expect it.
No, I don't think it's worth your time and I don't think you need to worry about the CPU. Especially if it works normally at anything that's not requiring the complete processing power of the CPU. Like I mentioned earlier the Mac is designed to shut down when a certain temp is reached to protect the Mac, thus thermal shutdown is what protects the Mac. Damage would only occur if the Mac stayed on past the time it should have auto turned off.
If your Mac isn't shutting down then you're ok. Unless of course you may have disconnected/damaged that system. But I don't know how you could do that as supposedly that's at a logicboard/cpu level. Maybe someone else knows more or can correct me if I am wrong.
OK. Well, it could then be down to airflow inside the case. You said earlier that there was other issues. Take it apart again, go through each part and make sure each is seated correctly, including the top case. The inside is designed to maximize airflow so if it's not all seated correctly the airflow will be disturbed and you have what you have.The average temperature for web browsing is 63 C.
The fan literally never goes off.
What to do, what to do...
OK. Well, it could then be down to airflow inside the case. You said earlier that there was other issues. Take it apart again, go through each part and make sure each is seated correctly, including the top case. The inside is designed to maximize airflow so if it's not all seated correctly the airflow will be disturbed and you have what you have.
It's frustrating, but it may improve things.
Good point.
Taking these things apart seems difficult. Until you try putting them back together.
Exactly. Taking them apart, when you get to the guts, you feel like, "OK, that wasn't so bad." Then you start to find it doesn't all fit back together so smoothly.
OK. Well, it could then be down to airflow inside the case. You said earlier that there was other issues. Take it apart again, go through each part and make sure each is seated correctly, including the top case. The inside is designed to maximize airflow so if it's not all seated correctly the airflow will be disturbed and you have what you have.
It's frustrating, but it may improve things.
I reapplied the thermal paste, and now the temperature never goes higher than 60 C when browsing Facebook. Fan runs, but it's much quieter.
Attached some finalized pics for you guys. In the second one you can see the initial damage from the fall. A piece of the plastic finishing broke off and the bottom half is deformed.
Also, I used a latch for the broken F12 key from my old keyboard (didn't fit), so the key is positioned oddly. At least it works.
Thanks for the advice and help guys!