Where is the AirPort located in the latest version of iBook G4?

[not28]

My Airport somehow came dislodged after I got the logic board replaced, causing kernel panics a la mode. I took it back to the store where they reconnected it, and just now it crashed twice. So I pinched the sides and corners of the iBook (as if I were pushing it back together) and it's working perfectly!

So this question is directed toward somebody who is familiar with the internal architecture of the latest revision iBook G4. Where is the internal AirPort Extreme located? That way I'll know exactly where to pinch it if it gives me more problems. I'm also looking into getting a better laptop case because I feel that the problem is partly due to the way I'm carrying it around. Thanks for your help.

 

[California]

Well, try looking up the internal structure of the iBook on pbfixit.com.

 

[Sweetfeld28]

Start by looking here, i think this may help you:

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/84.2.0.html

hope that helps. Ryan


Edit: hey Cali they changed the domain name to ifixit.com since the new books are no longer called PB's.

 

[iSaint]

The Airport Extreme card is under the keyboard. Check out your iBook Getting Started manual for details on how to access it. You can also download a copy here.

If you've just received it from repair, I would suggest taking it back again until it works flawlessly!

 

[not28]

Thanks for the links, but they don't have the same iBook model I do. Mine has an airport extreme card that is completely internal, not located underneath the keyboard. Any other sites where I could find out?

 

[iSaint]

There's nothing on the Apple web site that says any iBook G4 AE card is any different from another. The link for upgrading your iBook with an Airport Extreme card is here.

The link for upgrades and DIY repairs on Apple's site is here.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[not28]

That's what the Apple store employee thought, too. Then he flipped up the keyboard, went into the back room, came back out, and told me with an empty stare that I don't have the kind of iBook with a removable Airport so I'll have to leave it with them. It just crashed two more times, so I'm going to email Apple and take it back to the store.

 

[not28]

Here's a photo I just took to show that I'm not completely out of my mind. See, nooooo airport to be found. It's hidden!

 

[Sweetfeld28]

well, whats under that grill with the screwsin it? RAM? i would take that off to see what is under that, maybe you will be able to see it?

 

[not28]

Already did that, too. That's where the RAM is located. Not much room for anything else. Think I'll just contact Apple.

 

[Sweetfeld28]

What is the Speed of this iBook?

 

[Laser47]

The airport is internal and is combined with the bluetooth module.
If the card really is dislodged your bluetooth should stop working aswell
It looks like this

And plugs into the first black connector from the left on the top of this picture, right above the GPU (The chip on the left)

 

[not28]

1.42 GHz, circa October 2005.

 

[not28]

The airport is internal and is combined with the bluetooth module.
If the card really is dislodged your bluetooth should stop working aswell
It looks like this

And plugs into the first black connector from the left on the top of this picture, right above the GPU (The chip on the left)

thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!
I'll try my bluetooth connection and see if it panics.

 

[Laser47]

Also judging by the picture it looks like the card is located right beneath the bottom left of the keyboard.

 

[not28]

Alright, Bluetooth works fine. Synced up my phone and everything. This problem is driving me nuts. Do you think it's possible that just the Airport component is on the fritz? Part of me wants to take this freakin' thing apart and see what's going on.

 

[Laser47]

Alright, Bluetooth works fine. Synced up my phone and everything. This problem is driving me nuts. Do you think it's possible that just the Airport component is on the fritz? Part of me wants to take this freakin' thing apart and see what's going on.

That might just be the problem, take it in and see if you can get a replacement.
Also have you tried the apple hardware test, IIRC it tests the airport card aswell. To get to it insert the restore DVD (either 1 or 2, I forgot) and hold the option key on startup and select the Hardware test at the boot select screen.

 

[California]

What makes you think its an Airport problem in the first place. Sounds like this thing was dropped. I had an ibook G4 1.42ghz and it worked GREAT. Repair permissions, etc., and let us know what's going on. Personally, I'd back up and zero out the drive or firewire start from an external drive to try to ascertain the problem. If it is a logic board, you'll find out soon enough.

 

[not28]

That might just be the problem, take it in and see if you can get a replacement.
Also have you tried the apple hardware test, IIRC it tests the airport card aswell. To get to it insert the restore DVD (either 1 or 2, I forgot) and hold the option key on startup and select the Hardware test at the boot select screen.

Hmm thanks, I'll try the hardware test. I can't go without a laptop again, so I'll wait until Easter break to take it in. I'll try to explain my findings as best as I can. Thanks a lot for your help. Much appreciated!

 

[not28]

What makes you think its an Airport problem in the first place. Sounds like this thing was dropped. I had an ibook G4 1.42ghz and it worked GREAT. Repair permissions, etc., and let us know what's going on. Personally, I'd back up and zero out the drive or firewire start from an external drive to try to ascertain the problem. If it is a logic board, you'll find out soon enough.

Simple enough. Because it was never dropped. Because it crashes when I enable Airport. Because it doesn't when it's disabled. Because I've already re-installed OS X, repaired Hard Disk, repaired permissions, etc. I've researched this problem pretty extensively. And the logic board was replaced about a week before this airport jazz started happening, so my initial thought was that whoever replaced it didn't connect something right. Why is this even an issue?

 

[not28]

Well, I performed an extensive hardware test and everything passed with flying colors. This is driving me crazy. I'll contact Apple. Maybe the card just needs to be replaced. Thanks for the help, everyone.