How viable are these mods/repairs on a PowerBook G4 DLSD/HR?

[Science5024]

I've got a 15 inch PowerBook G4 (A1138) and the machine is in pretty good condition except for the rear aluminum cover behind the screen. Looking on eBay however, I did find what seems to be a brand new OEM replacement part. Would that be a viable (and risk free) repair as long as I follow the iFixit guide and use my pro tech toolkit I've got from them?

I'm also thinking about replacing the hard drive with an SSD. Heard the best way to do this is using an mSATA to IDE adapter? I'm concerned reading some negative reviews on those though, one of them claiming they are a fire risk as the solder points can short against the aluminum? I'm guessing this can be mitigated by using lots of electrical tape?

Also, how much of a difference does it make to go for an mSATA SSD with a DRAM cache (say the Transcend MSA230) vs one that doesn't have one in this case?

 

[Amethyst1]

I'm also thinking about replacing the hard drive with an SSD.

One of the best upgrades, along with maxing out the RAM to 2 GB.

Heard the best way to do this is using an mSATA to IDE adapter?

Definitely, since native PATA SSDs are ancient and pretty much all suck. Consistent success has been reported using PATA-to-mSATA adapters with a red PCB and a Marvell chipset IIRC. This thread has a list of working setups.

 

[Science5024]

One of the best upgrades, along with maxing out the RAM to 2 GB.


Definitely, since PATA SSDs are old and, to sum it up, pretty much all suck. Consistent success has been reported using IDE-to-mSATA adapters with a red PCB and a Marvell chipset, less so with green-PCB JMicron chipset specimens.

It's already got 2GB RAM!

What do you think about replacing the rear display cover and the need for a DRAM based SSD?

Sadly the red adapters seem to go for ludicrous prices on eBay and the one listing I've found on Amazon is still like 4x more expensive and would take like a month to arrive.

 

[Amethyst1]

What do you think about replacing the rear display cover and the need for a DRAM based SSD?

I have no experience with replacing the rear display cover but I had a DRAM-less SSD (Crucial BX500) in a 2007 MacBook Pro and it was okay for my light use.

 

[eyoungren]

Sadly the red adapters seem to go for ludicrous prices on eBay and the one listing I've found on Amazon is still like 4x more expensive and would take like a month to arrive.

Is the Amazon one you found this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017VQT5Y...KZOY3B1I&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I ask because I hold this link on my Amazon watchlist for threads such as yours. The quality of the red board adapters are well worth the price you pay versus the green board adapters.

MODS: the Amazon link above is to show a product. It is not mine, and I am not selling anything or receiving any profit from anyone who chooses to buy from this link.

 

[Science5024]

Is the Amazon one you found this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017VQT5Y...KZOY3B1I&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I ask because I hold this link on my Amazon watchlist for threads such as yours. The quality of the red board adapters are well worth the price you pay versus the green board adapters.

MODS: the Amazon link above is to show a product. It is not mine, and I am not selling anything or receiving any profit from anyone who chooses to buy from this link.

Yes. Is there another place where I can order it without it taking a month to deliver and without paying a massive premium?

 

[Bug-Creator]

I did so much repairs, replacements and 3 trashed one into 2 good conversions on aluminum books in 15 and 17" eversince they got supported by MorphOS and they only time I failed is when I tried to open the display cover in order to replace the backlight cable and ended up destroying the actual backlight. So IMO the hardest job one can do....

As for SATA, yep mSATA is the way to go. Either with some isolation or by buying one that comes in a 2.5" carrier case.
Running mine (electrical tape covered) for at least 10 years by now.

 

[eyoungren]

Yes. Is there another place where I can order it without it taking a month to deliver and without paying a massive premium?

To my current knowledge no. But, that's why I held on to the link. Finding an actual vendor that sells these is difficult. Very easy to find the cheap $10 greenboard adapters though. Just no guarantee they will work.

 

[eyoungren]

I did so much repairs, replacements and 3 trashed one into 2 good conversions on aluminum books in 15 and 17" eversince they got supported by MorphOS and they only time I failed is when I tried to open the display cover in order to replace the backlight cable and ended up destroying the actual backlight. So IMO the hardest job one can do....

I made this attempt once. I fell victim to the razor sharp hooks on the inside of the back panel lid. Bled all over the Mac. From that point on, any time there is an issue, I do an eBay search for a complete LCD display. You can get one for cheap if you're willing to take the rest of a dead Mac along with it. Swapping out the entire display is far easier than trying to get that back panel lid off.

 

[CooperBox]

It's already got 2GB RAM!

What do you think about replacing the rear display cover and the need for a DRAM based SSD?

Sadly the red adapters seem to go for ludicrous prices on eBay and the one listing I've found on Amazon is still like 4x more expensive and would take like a month to arrive.

I've replaced just about most things on your model of Powerbook G4 with the exception of the screen rear cover. My advise is don't attempt this unless you are very experienced on Apple laptop repairs in general. Better option would be to find a doner Powerbook with same good screen, changing one is doable but not for anyone unfamiliar with similar tasks.
I too installed a DRAM-less SSD which was ok. Also used a similar mSata- IDE converter.
HERE's the Link.

 

[Science5024]

I've replaced just about most things on your model of Powerbook G4 with the exception of the screen rear cover. My advise is don't attempt this unless you are very experienced on Apple laptop repairs in general. Better option would be to find a doner Powerbook with same good screen, changing one is doable but not for anyone unfamiliar with similar tasks.
I too installed a DRAM-less SSD which was ok. Also used a similar mSata- IDE converter.
HERE's the Link.

Hmm maybe I should go to a repair shop and ask them to do it for me? Unfortunately I can’t find any A1138 display assemblies in new condition, just the rear cover. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area if anyone has any recommendations.

 

[CooperBox]

Hmm maybe I should go to a repair shop and ask them to do it for me? Unfortunately I can’t find any A1138 display assemblies in new condition, just the rear cover. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area if anyone has any recommendations.

I reckon it would be very difficult (if not impossible) to find any repair shop willing to perform the change of the screen rear cover, and if you did it would be expensive in terms of labour charge, and imho certainly not cost effective. Finding someone to install an ssd would be a different matter - relatively simple & rapid.
I've repaired and/or modified a number of PPC & Intel laptops and iMacs for family and friends free of charge, even screen removal but dismantling a Powerbook screen is one task I'd shy away from. I'd be interested to hear eventually if you achieve this.........

 

[Smithwick’s]

I seem to recall someone on another forum (maybe 68kmla) replacing their screen with a high(er, maybe) resolution glossy screen. Looked beautiful but almost certainly involved messing with those hooks. The one time I had to remove my screen was hopefully the last - dreadful job. I'd sooner take apart an iBook G4 or iBook Clamshell than do that again, although it is fun to say that my literal blood, sweat, and tears went into fixing my 17" PBG4.

 

[Bug-Creator]

Yep 17“ PB can take the FullHD display from an early MacBookPro.

12“ PowerBook can take the better screen from some IBM Thinkpad, but my attempt to put into my iBook ended in nothing more than a very hot display cable.

 

[Doq]

I seem to recall someone on another forum (maybe 68kmla) replacing their screen with a high(er, maybe) resolution glossy screen.

I don't know about glossy, but this thread documents such an upgrade:

The WUXGA PowerBook G4 17"

Hello guys, I've recently fulfilled one of my vintage Mac dreams which was to own a full HD PowerBook G4 17". You may be asking yourself how is this even possible when the PowerBook G4 17" A1139 aka the HiRes and DLSD model is the one with the highest resolution available (1680x1050). Well...

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