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iBook G4 No Chime or Boot

N

n0cus

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 16, 2012
340
1
Hey Everyone!

I recently upgraded my iBook G4 12in 1.07GHz to have a SuperDrive. Before I installed the bottom case, everything was fine. After I put the case on, the computer refuses to boot or even give me a chime. The only signs of life are the SuperDrive spinning a little bit and the green charge light. Any help is appreciated.

Thank you everyone!
 
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n0cus said:
Hey Everyone!

I recently upgraded my iBook G4 12in 1.07GHz to have a SuperDrive. Before I installed the bottom case, everything was fine. After I put the case on, the computer refuses to boot or even give me a chime. The only signs of life are the SuperDrive spinning a little bit and the green charge light. Any help is appreciated.

Thank you everyone!
Click to expand...


PMU reset?
 
I HATH BEEN SUMMONED MY THY NAME. *Puts cheese hat on Altemose*

I'm surprised you didn't suggest a dead PRAM battery. Must finally be sinking in that iBooks don't have those. Have you tried disassembling the machine and verifying all connections as well as trying a PRAM reset? Press the PRAM reset keys on the keyboard for 60 seconds. If you don't hear the chime at least once, something else is wrong.
 
Intell said:
I HATH BEEN SUMMONED MY THY NAME. *Puts cheese hat on Altemose*

I'm surprised you didn't suggest a dead PRAM battery. Must finally be sinking in that iBooks don't have those. Have you tried disassembling the machine and verifying all connections as well as trying a PRAM reset? Press the PRAM reset keys on the keyboard for 60 seconds. If you don't hear the chime at least once, something else is wrong.
Click to expand...

I guess something else is wrong.
 
Intell said:
I HATH BEEN SUMMONED MY THY NAME. *Puts cheese hat on Altemose*

I'm surprised you didn't suggest a dead PRAM battery. Must finally be sinking in that iBooks don't have those. Have you tried disassembling the machine and verifying all connections as well as trying a PRAM reset? Press the PRAM reset keys on the keyboard for 60 seconds. If you don't hear the chime at least once, something else is wrong.
Click to expand...

I am getting smarter!

n0cus said:
I guess something else is wrong.
Click to expand...

Does the display flicker at all?
 
I am going to count my losses and just sell it not eBay. I didn't know about the vreg issues with the iBook G4. I am thinking about buying a PowerBook G4 to replace it. Does anyone know of such a major flaw with the PowerBooks?
 
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The 12" Powerbooks are rather stable. They're biggest problem is burning out the GPU due to covering the side air intake vent. You may want to avoid the 867Mhz model if possible. It runs hotter than the 1Ghz+ models, doesn't have CoreImage, and only has mini-VGA out.
 
Intell said:
The 12" Powerbooks are rather stable. They're biggest problem is burning out the GPU due to covering the side air intake vent. You may want to avoid the 867Mhz model if possible. It runs hotter than the 1Ghz+ models, doesn't have CoreImage, and only has mini-VGA out.
Click to expand...

I am looking at a 1.25MHz 15in. Do you know of any flaws? Thanks for all the help Intell.
 
n0cus said:
Thanks Intell, I guess I know what computer I am hunting for now.
Click to expand...

I have one more question that I don't think requires a new thread. Will 800 MHz PC2-6400S RAM on PowerBooks? I heard that higher specced RAM works on lower specced machine, but I am not sure.
 
Possibly, but only in the last model Powerbook with the high resolution screen and dual layer DVD drive as that is the only model that will take DDR2 memory.
 
Intell said:
Possibly, but only in the last model Powerbook with the high resolution screen and dual layer DVD drive as that is the only model that will take DDR2 memory.
Click to expand...

Okay, thanks Intell.
 
Intell said:
It largely effects only one ram slot.
Click to expand...

I'm about to buy a 15" PowerBook G4 that is in almost perfect condition, except it has that issue. Can I use a 2 GB DDR2 memory module on this one slot, or is 1 GByte the maximum for each memory bank and I'll be stuck with that?

Does anyone know of a good site or video that explains how to fix this soldering problem?
 
melb00m said:
I'm about to buy a 15" PowerBook G4 that is in almost perfect condition, except it has that issue. Can I use a 2 GB DDR2 memory module on this one slot, or is 1 GByte the maximum for each memory bank and I'll be stuck with that?

Does anyone know of a good site or video that explains how to fix this soldering problem?
Click to expand...
Only the last model PowerBook G4(the one from late '05, 1.67GHz Hi-Res Screen, with the Double-Layer SuperDrive) use DDR2 RAM, this issue has been brought up before, a user reported that he used a single 2GB stick in his DLSD PowerBook. I have 2x 1GB sticks in mine, and logic boards for PowerBooks are running relatively cheap nowdays.
 
Thank you. It's the 1.5 GHz A1106 with 15" display. So I'll have to stick to 333 MHz DDR.

It's from the original owner, though -- all parts original, and box included. Battery and casing are in almost perfect condition, as the owners almost solely used it plugged in on their desk.

I'll see how it works with 1 GB and then decide on the logic board replacement. It's more or less a collectors item anyway, as I think this is the best looking notebook ever created.
 
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