PowerBook Problems Thread.

[128keaton]

Ol' Nameless sitting in the sun.


Since I am having multiple issues with my Titanium (none that are inhibiting proper usage thank goodness), I decided to make a single thread instead of multiple other ones.
1. AirPort won't connect to my network even when the network is set to WPA (TKIP) with B/G/N networking.

2. Right Speaker won't work.

3. The screen latch doesn't 'catch'

4. The battery either doesn't come out without considerable force or it falls out easily.

5.The Option key broke off (Ordered a new one from PowerBookMedic).

6. It doesn't have a proper name, I need suggestions.

Other people can hop in with their problems and see if we can resolve them together!

 

[jrsx]

Is the right speaker hardware or software? Have you tried going into System Prefs -> Sound -> Output and changing the balance to the middle?

 

[128keaton]

Is the right speaker hardware or software? Have you tried going into System Prefs -> Sound -> Output and changing the balance to the middle?

yes, I have.

 

[Intell]

Sometimes older Airport B devices won't connect to a network if it is in B/G/N mode. Try changing it to only be B/G mode.

 

[128keaton]

Sometimes older Airport B devices won't connect to a network if it is in B/G/N mode. Try changing it to only be B/G mode.

I only have the option for g/n on my router. Gonna hook up an extra one for my bedroom lol. Arg.

 

[Altemose]

yes, I have.

Have you tried setting it to full volume and in System Preferences all the way to the right? If it is completely silent then you may have a problem in the speaker wire. If it is extremely low then the speaker is probably blown.

 

[128keaton]

Have you tried setting it to full volume and in System Preferences all the way to the right? If it is completely silent then you may have a problem in the speaker wire. If it is extremely low then the speaker is probably blown.

Ok, good idea.

 

[Altemose]

Ok, good idea.

I am not sure if on a TiBook you can remove the battery latch assembly from the bottom pan.

 

[Intell]

The battery latch is a part of the inner framework. Does the lid catch come out when it is closed?

 

[128keaton]

The battery latch is a part of the inner framework. Does the lid catch come out when it is closed?

Yes, it does.

 

[Intell]

So it doesn't appear to get caught by the palmrest then?

 

[128keaton]

So it doesn't appear to get caught by the palmrest then?

No, it doesn't appear to. Another note on the speaker, I don't have the guts to continue to disassemble my powerbook since I partially broke the CPU fan clip, I was able to get it back in and glue it together, so the speaker will still be broken.

 

[128keaton]

Also, he has a name! Alfred the Jukebox. He sits atop my nightstand playing Spotify. Also, can anyone else control Spotify with AppleScript?

 

[MrPilot]

My 12" pbg4 keeps going to sleep when watching 720p movies.

I assume it's some sort of overheat protection but I always thought they simply shut the computer down, not putting it into sleep.

Will I have to open and clean it out and re-apply thermal paste?

 

[Altemose]

My 12" pbg4 keeps going to sleep when watching 720p movies.



I assume it's some sort of overheat protection but I always thought they simply shut the computer down, not putting it into sleep.



Will I have to open and clean it out and re-apply thermal paste?

How hot is the bottom, what surface is it used on, and what are the temps in iStat or Temperature Monitor looking like?

 

[MrPilot]

How hot is the bottom, what surface is it used on, and what are the temps in iStat or Temperature Monitor looking like?

It hasn't gone to sleep mode yet but it's hitting 80c or 178F in sensor (2). Has been stable at that temp.
And it's not all that hot... I have it on a rest with a fan on

 

[128keaton]

It hasn't gone to sleep mode yet but it's hitting 80c or 178F in sensor (2). Has been stable at that temp.
And it's not all that hot... I have it on a rest with a fan on

Still 80c is quite high. Maybe use a lower quality video.

 

[128keaton]

[/url]Untitled by keaton128, on Flickr[/IMG]
Other than the paint, my hinges look fine.

 

[jrsx]

It hasn't gone to sleep mode yet but it's hitting 80c or 178F in sensor (2). Has been stable at that temp.
And it's not all that hot... I have it on a rest with a fan on

I would re-apply thermal paste. It sounds like your PB thinks it's a G5 LCS!

 

[Altemose]

It hasn't gone to sleep mode yet but it's hitting 80c or 178F in sensor (2). Has been stable at that temp.
And it's not all that hot... I have it on a rest with a fan on

Definitely needs fresh paste. I highly recommend Arctic Silver Ceramique 2. It is available in two-tube packs at RadioShack and is thicker than many pastes making it easier to apply in my opinion. It is very effective and took my PowerBook from 140 F at idle to 110 F. Remember to only use a plastic spudger or old credit card to strip the old paste off the heatsink. Also, never replace a pad with paste or you will suffer problems.

 

[jrsx]

I might also recommend taking Q-tips and dipping them into 70% isopropyl alcohol and cleaning the CPU die off with it. It will remove a lot if not all of the residue AFTER the bulk of it has been cleaned off with an old credit card. This worked great for me with my PBs old dried paste.

 

[128keaton]

I don't know how hot mine run, but I'm too shy to take them apart anyhow.

 

[Altemose]

I might also recommend taking Q-tips and dipping them into 70% isopropyl alcohol and cleaning the CPU die off with it. It will remove a lot if not all of the residue AFTER the bulk of it has been cleaned off with an old credit card. This worked great for me with my PBs old dried paste.

eyoungren gave me the tip of using coffee filters and they work great!

I don't know how hot mine run, but I'm too shy to take them apart anyhow.

It is a good way to get experience...

 

[128keaton]

eyoungren gave me the tip of using coffee filters and they work great!



It is a good way to get experience...

Well, I halfway broke the CPU fan connector (fixed now), lost a bottom screw, and broke the option key, so I'm good right now.

 

[Altemose]

Well, I halfway broke the CPU fan connector (fixed now), lost a bottom screw, and broke the option key, so I'm good right now.

The only repairs on a PowerPC Mac that scare me is rebuilding a G5's LCS. The last time I did it, I installed it into the G5 and started it up. It ran fine until it got hot under load and I smelled burning coolant. The temps were extremely high so I shut it off and pulled the LCS off again. Turns out one of the hoses somehow cracked (heat stress) and I did not catch it when I took it apart.