Powerbook G4 1.67GHz Aluminium with artifacts

[NG4KC]

Hello!!

I bought this Powerbook with this artifacting problem.
It reminds me of a vram issue but I'm not too sure. Before I embark on long journey I'd liek to have your opinion on the issue.

When isntalling 10.4 or 10.5 it shows artifacts.
When booting it won't show any (grey screen). On shutdown it won't display artifacts.
It may or may not artifact straight away when into the system, but will after 30s-2 mins max.
It does change location, appear on another and disappear from another.
Same with an external screen.

I replaced the ram with many other sticks and no change.

Maybe vram is defective and after loading drivers it shows, as opposed to boot and shutdown?

Thanks for any help!

 

[eyoungren]

Same with an external screen.

If it is also artifacting on an external display then your GPU chip is bad. If it was just the LCD then the artifacting would only show on that.

If you're good enough at soldering you could probably pull the LB and replace the GPU. However, for most of us (myself included) it's time to swap in a new logicboard.

 

[TheShortTimer]

However, for most of us (myself included) it's time to swap in a new logicboard.

Completely agree. I did that with a MBP and never looked back

 

[NG4KC]

Thanks guys!
I've been browsing the internet to find some more past posts but it didn't yield much.

I was chatting with a guy and, like other first moves (repaste, clean, visual inspection) he asked if I had schematics for this motherboard because he had past experience of dead filters and caps that had similar consequences.
He doesn't think this is the case, but you never know. I don't think either it is only a cap, filter or whatever. The pattern made of squares is indicative of ram issues (bad or connections), core is possible too as everything is connected. After so many vid cards repair videos sometimes balls just lose contact (oxidation, bad solder, bad job...).

I saw a pic of what the graphics card should be and it doesn't look desoldering friendly at all. Maybe if it has soldered ram I could try a reballing (pretty easy). If it's the core I have better chances locating a new logic board. Having components on both sides it's dead difficult not to knock or lose something in the process.
Edit: found the pic I was talking about: https://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2004/0206/ati_4.jpg

I have 2 requests:

1. do you have schematics?
2. where can I find a logic board? no clue here

It is interesting, doing nothing doesn't make it worse.

How can I test the graphics card? Any benchmark?

I'm not too bummed but I really like this design, it's gorgeous. I always loved the square, smooth line.

Thanks again for your help!!

 

[TheShortTimer]

2. where can I find a logic board? no clue here

I found mine on eBay but it's likely that you'll find other places that sell them by Googling "PowerBook G4 1.67Ghz logic board" and trawling through the results. It might also be worth looking for faulty PowerBook models with wrecked LCD etc as that could present an opportunity to snag a working logic board cheaply.

 

[NG4KC]

I found mine on eBay but it's likely that you'll find other places that sell them by Googling "PowerBook G4 1.67Ghz logic board" and trawling through the results. It might also be worth looking for faulty PowerBook models with wrecked LCD etc as that could present an opportunity to snag a working logic board cheaply.

Good suggestion! Prices are human sized, could be a solution.
I still have to finish the disassembly to verify the exact model.
Before I can get my hands on one I'll use it as is. Worst case it'll get to the point of no image