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PowerBook G4 12" Repair Thread

128keaton

128keaton

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jan 13, 2013
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I finally got my 12" powerbook in the mail. Its a bit rough, but nothing more than I was expecting. First, the battery holds about 30% of its original capacity. Not bad for 523 cycles. The RAM is maxxed already and it has an AirPort card. I've already stripped it down to replace the CD drive (more on that). Now I'd like to discuss issues. First, the case looks pretty bent, and beat up in the corners. I can work on that. Next, the DVD drive keeps acting like its trying to read something (there is nothing in it) and it makes the 'reading' noise over and over. The drive was working, pulled out of a 17" PowerBook. It also wont physically allow DVDs to enter the slot. I have no idea what might be causing that. I'd like to ask more questions, but for now, I'd like to resolve the CD/DVD issue.
 
Are you sure the DVD drive was not pulled with a disc inside? Generally, an inability to insert a disc means one is in there already.
 
These do normally power the up the optical drive momentarily when booting or waking from sleep.

I'd double check the seating of the connector as a good starting point.
 
eyoungren said:
Are you sure the DVD drive was not pulled with a disc inside? Generally, an inability to insert a disc means one is in there already.
Click to expand...
I actually took it apart before putting it in to make sure of this. It had a DVD of Leopard on it (I was trying to reinstall it on the broken powerbook :p) but I removed it.
 
bunnspecial said:
These do normally power the up the optical drive momentarily when booting or waking from sleep.

I'd double check the seating of the connector as a good starting point.
Click to expand...
Ok, good idea. I might've not put it on properly. All in all, I really love (I think its my favorite, over my original Ti) this machine and would love to see it in better shape.
 
Hmmm. Then I can only guess that something internally with the drive still thinks a DVD is in there.
 
eyoungren said:
Hmmm. Then I can only guess that something internally with the drive still thinks a DVD is in there.
Click to expand...
If that is the case, I might remove it since it came with a fresh Leopard install. And I have a FireWire drive incase everything goes haywire.
 
Ok, I reseated the drive connector and it works like az charm. Which brings me to my next issue, sometimes it adds a ZZ when typing. Mystifying. Also, @eyoungren, where is your 'extreme black' customizzation guide? I'd love to have a black GUI on this thing.
 
My next 'quirk' that needs fixing is the top latch. It worked when I got it, but now it doesn't. what?
It doesn't swing down very easily and doesn't latch at all.
 
That's probably an issue with the internal latch mechanism, but it could be with the screen. The easiest way to tell would be to close the lid and use a tooth pick to pull the metal piece to a position where it would be aligned with the latch. If that dosent work look at the internal mechanism to see wheat her or not it is out of place or something is blocking the latch from coming down. And the z after everything is funny! But you should get that fixed
 
MacCubed said:
That's probably an issue with the internal latch mechanism, but it could be with the screen. The easiest way to tell would be to close the lid and use a tooth pick to pull the metal piece to a position where it would be aligned with the latch. If that dosent work look at the internal mechanism to see wheat her or not it is out of place or something is blocking the latch from coming down. And the z after everything is funny! But you should get that fixed
Click to expand...
Just a suggestion if you are messing with the hooks. It's a PITA to get them to come out when things aren't working so I use a refrigerator magnet (no cracks about hard drives, this is the display, LOL). Once you can get them to pop out you can work with them.

Had to do this for the screen on my previous 17". Once I had the hooks out I was able to tweak them with needlenose pliers.
 
eyoungren said:
Just a suggestion if you are messing with the hooks. It's a PITA to get them to come out when things aren't working so I use a refrigerator magnet (no cracks about hard drives, this is the display, LOL). Once you can get them to pop out you can work with them.

Had to do this for the screen on my previous 17". Once I had the hooks out I was able to tweak them with needlenose pliers.
Click to expand...
Ok, that's a good idea. I am taking apart the upper screen assembly to fix a dent in the lid as well as fix the pressure marks on the LCD. I think this laptop was shut in a door or trunk since it has a long crease along the bottom. I've been slowly bending the frame back and the lid was bent like a ~ so bending it back could've affected the latch.
 
Might've lost my temper a bit, I threw the back of the lid (alum) at the wall. Bent it a bit. I couldnt get the POS to snap back on. Not a super big deal about replacing it since I already ordered a new one from PBM. This one was dented and dinged really bad. Still feel bad about throwing it. Maybe this is something eyoungren is familiar with. Anyway, I might need help putting the new one on since this one was so darn stupid. The latch is fixed though. Lastly, I am on an email reminder for when the bottom case comes in. Its super cheap to buy a new one.
 
This is why I strongly advise replacing the entire LCD as a unit, versus trying to replace the damn LVDS cable or a screen.

Lots of tiny, tiny hooks on thin aluminum (aluminium for you guys in the UK) strips. Damn near impossible to get the lid back on and you end up bleeding everywhere.

35227_145825402101154_7460065_n.jpg 37909_145825582101136_7918012_n.jpg 38095_145825525434475_1573356_n.jpg 38396_145825488767812_2251896_n.jpg 39240_145825358767825_4569847_n.jpg 39345_145825545434473_3117306_n.jpg
 
I cut the crap out of my thumb on that stupid G4 display when I took it apart... Theres still blood on the lid lol
 
eyoungren said:
This is why I strongly advise replacing the entire LCD as a unit, versus trying to replace the damn LVDS cable or a screen.

Lots of tiny, tiny hooks on thin aluminum (aluminium for you guys in the UK) strips. Damn near impossible to get the lid back on and you end up bleeding everywhere.

View attachment 571352 View attachment 571353 View attachment 571354 View attachment 571355 View attachment 571356 View attachment 571357
Click to expand...
That's exactly what's going on here. I might have to resort to a new display, but I'll try anyway.
 
Sorry man. My pathetic attempt to get the screen lid back on used more super glue than anything else. And the problem was that damn, rough and ugly gap which could also be a safety hazard if something got in there through the gap.

I sucked it up and shilled out $80 for a new screen in 2010. I still have that screen and it's the most beautiful one I've had with my 17" Macs so far.

However, I wasn't willing to transplant it into my pristine new A1013 when it already had a perfectly good display.

PS. Is the hassle really worth the cost? I paid $25 for a working display for my wife's 12" PB. Still working. If you look you can find something in that price range, either a complete LCD or a dead 12" PB that you can strip extra parts from.
 
eyoungren said:
Sorry man. My pathetic attempt to get the screen lid back on used more super glue than anything else. And the problem was that damn, rough and ugly gap which could also be a safety hazard if something got in there through the gap.

I sucked it up and shilled out $80 for a new screen in 2010. I still have that screen and it's the most beautiful one I've had with my 17" Macs so far.

However, I wasn't willing to transplant it into my pristine new A1013 when it already had a perfectly good display.
Click to expand...
I wish I had a warning from iFixit about the difficulty of re-puttingbacktogether other than "to reassemble just follow the steps in reverse order"
 
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