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PowerBook G4 12" Club
- Thread starter Amethyst1
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This is what I’m trying to avoid, I think! But I’m guessing there are no quick fixes here
My 12" 1.5Ghz PowerBook's fan went beserk after upgrade to an mSATA-IDE-converter.
Repasting and replacing the heat-pads didn't solve the problem.
Then I found out, that the low (factory-set) threshold for HDD-temperature was causing the probleme.
With G4FanControl and temp threshold at 65° C for GPU/CPU/Drive and using an iLap-Stand there's a steady-state without fan activity now.
Absolutely.
At least it means the PowerBook will (unofficially) run Jaguar with its superior Classic environment.
Maximum RAM is 1.25 GiB (256 MiB onboard plus 1 GiB module) on the PowerBook vs. 1.5 GiB (512 MiB onboard plus 1 GiB module) on the iBook.
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It's not a straight forward contest. The iBook GPU is more Core Image compliant but has less VRAM, I found it wasn't as good at video playback on some files in MPlayer as the Powerbook.
As well as that, the iBook only mirrors on an external display. You had to patch the firmware with Screen Spanning Doctor to restore extending the display. With only 32MB of VRAM in total, you have to manage your expectations as to what you can do on multiple screens.
So it can extend the display, just like the PowerBook.
Another difference is that the PowerBook has a SL-DVI+VGA output for external screens; the iBook only has VGA.
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The last PowerBook 12" predates the last iBook as much as anything. Apple had been shoving the Go 5200 in its 12" PBs for a couple of iterations possibly for want of anything better that wouldn't fry the logic board in that confined space. The iBooks, on the other hand, were getting a diet of ATI GPUs and it seems as if ATI came up with a decent enough one for the last iBook. So, Apple being Apple hobbled it to make the PowerBook still the "premium' choice.
the reason is simply when the machines where last revised
Apple generally always did and generally always does, ensure that when a machine is refreshed it can support all the latest features of the latest MacOS versions
the eMac and iBook G4 where last refreshed when Tiger was current, and thus got, fully Core Image capable GPU's to fully support all of tigers features, and also why the iBook likely got 512MB of RAM onboard as that was the minimum apple considered satisfactory for tiger
the 12 inch PowerBook was last refreshed when Panther was current and thus did not get these upgrades
the only exception to this rule is the Xserve line and the Late 05 Mac Mini which retained a 9200
had there have been a PowerBook6,9 (LOL) 12 inch DLSD/Late 05 then it is more then likely we would of seen a 12 inch PB with 512MB of onboard RAM and a better GPU
(another example/proof of this is the Early 05 PowerMac G5 which just shipped with tiger 10.4.0, and notice thats when apple finally dropped the FX 5200 Ultra from the G5)
Apple generally always did and generally always does, ensure that when a machine is refreshed it can support all the latest features of the latest MacOS versions
the eMac and iBook G4 where last refreshed when Tiger was current, and thus got, fully Core Image capable GPU's to fully support all of tigers features, and also why the iBook likely got 512MB of RAM onboard as that was the minimum apple considered satisfactory for tiger
the 12 inch PowerBook was last refreshed when Panther was current and thus did not get these upgrades
the only exception to this rule is the Xserve line and the Late 05 Mac Mini which retained a 9200
had there have been a PowerBook6,9 (LOL) 12 inch DLSD/Late 05 then it is more then likely we would of seen a 12 inch PB with 512MB of onboard RAM and a better GPU
(another example/proof of this is the Early 05 PowerMac G5 which just shipped with tiger 10.4.0, and notice thats when apple finally dropped the FX 5200 Ultra from the G5)
bobesch, if you're reading this.. Or anyone else..
What temperature sensor reading are you getting at "Hard Disk Drive Bottomside" location in your 1.5GHz 12-er when measured with "Temperature Monitor"?
I am trying to tackle thermal issues in my 1.5GHz/128GB mSATA and would love the input from others.
I've made some modifications to adapter case. Right now I'm torturing mine with full memory test (Rember) and I'm getting:
GPU sensor = 60 deg C
HD Bottomside = 48 deg C
Processor topside = 67 deg C
Sensor 2 in G4FanControl set to 65 deg C, fan is running. This one seems to be pretty stable, settled condition.
After some time I stopped memory test and within seconds numbers changet to:
GPU sensor = 58 deg C
HD Bottomside = 51 deg C
Processor topside = 53 deg C
mSATA (HD Bottomside) temperature went up, since fan is not running and there is no forced aiflow over it.
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Pics or it didn't happen.
I mean, I do believe it is possible on the 1st Gen 867MHz model with the MacOS9Lives Disc, but I'd like to see it for real.
I mean, I do believe it is possible on the 1st Gen 867MHz model with the MacOS9Lives Disc, but I'd like to see it for real.
It was lockdown, I developed a really deep obsession with my vintage mac collection. If you asked me now how I did this, I couldn't tell you! Hours and hours were spent on MacOS9Lives and some open firmware was involved. 867 MHz yes.
I can get the faster models to boot 9, but things like trackpad don't work so a bit pointless.
Sorry, they're in the wrong order. I will say that Mac OS 9 on that lovely little 12" screen is fantastic. 1024 x 768 feels like a LOT in 9. It's never quite enough in X
I can get the faster models to boot 9, but things like trackpad don't work so a bit pointless.
Sorry, they're in the wrong order. I will say that Mac OS 9 on that lovely little 12" screen is fantastic. 1024 x 768 feels like a LOT in 9. It's never quite enough in X
I bet I'm the only one in the club running MacOS 9
Nope, you're not. I got it running on 867MHz, 1GHz and 1.5Ghz models
. 867MHz was the easiest case, 1.5Ghz - most difficult. 1.5Ghz was more of a proof of concept than anything else.
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Can't remember exactly.
The fans of my 12" 1.5GHz little SteamBook got beserk, after I replace the spinning drive with an mSATA/IDE-converter combo.
Additional heat coming from the mSATA/converter brought the thermal situation out of balance.
I used G4FanControl to lift the threshold of the sensors of drive, GPU and CPU up to about 60-68° and came to a steady state without fan-activity.
I am not 100% sure that it is a temperature inside the PowerBook issue per se as it is, quite possibly, an issue with (hot) mSATA adapter board proximity to that one particular temperature sensor. That's why I asked. It's just a theory at the moment. Anyone know where that sensor is located? I can't find the schematic or PCB layout of 1.5GHz PowerBook G4 anywhere..
I am going to try the smaller adapter board next and see what happens then.
P.S. The design of this adapter board is not ideal, if not flawed. The mSATA drive gets mounted right on top of 3,3 Volt regulator, which gets quite hot. JM20330 gets hot too, but not as hot as regulator. As a result, they both heat the mSATA drive, and, under circumstances, that might trigger the drive's internal thermal protection or reduce its lifespan.
I am going to try the smaller adapter board next and see what happens then.
P.S. The design of this adapter board is not ideal, if not flawed. The mSATA drive gets mounted right on top of 3,3 Volt regulator, which gets quite hot. JM20330 gets hot too, but not as hot as regulator. As a result, they both heat the mSATA drive, and, under circumstances, that might trigger the drive's internal thermal protection or reduce its lifespan.
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It's possible to power the SSD with 3.3v from the PowerBook. If you hook it straight up, then the drive is always powered, even when sleeping. I use a high side switch to connect the 3.3v power based on the 5v input to the mSata adapter. This helps with heat and battery life. Also, if you're getting high temperatures it could be a broken solder joint:
That's a brute force approach and not the most elegant, to be honest. If it works in your case, good for you. I wouldn't do that, for various reasons.
If at all, then I would try to figure out how to wire the adapter board to so called "3.3V sleep" line. Other models have it, but I haven't seen any 12" PowerBook G4 schematics. Without them I'm not touching the motherboard.
Take a look at attached pics, to get an idea what I'm talking about.
As to the high temps - I'm not the only one who have observed this.
If at all, then I would try to figure out how to wire the adapter board to so called "3.3V sleep" line. Other models have it, but I haven't seen any 12" PowerBook G4 schematics. Without them I'm not touching the motherboard.
Take a look at attached pics, to get an idea what I'm talking about.
As to the high temps - I'm not the only one who have observed this.
Attachments
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Yes, Mac OS 9 feels very nice on the 867MHz PBG4 12”. But I find these units run hot under 9.
I like to run Jaguar and Panther on the 867 too
I like to run Jaguar and Panther on the 867 too
I wanted to power my coffee grinder, which runs on 110VAC. I couldn't find an efficient, already existing source for this type of power, but I did find a 12VDC battery that could supply more than enough amps. I used this to power a 240VAC single phase inverter that converts the 12VDC input to 240VAC output. So I was closer, but then to reduce the voltage I used an autotransformer. This converts 240VAC down to 110VAC and my coffee grinder works great! Pretty elegant setup and it can also power my PowerBook.
