PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1.67 GHz (High-Res)

Model A1139 / 1680x1050 screen resolution

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Required Tools

T8 Torx Security Bit Screwdriver

$6.95 · 46 in stock

Spudger

$2.95 · 50+ in stock

T6 Torx Screwdriver

$4.95 · 50+ in stock

Phillips #00 Screwdriver

$4.95 · 50+ in stock

4mm Nut Driver

$9.95 · 31 in stock

Recommended Tools

Home Tech Toolkit

$24.95 · 50+ in stock

Sorting Tray

$7.95 · 50+ in stock

Anti-Static Wrist Strap

$7.95 · 50+ in stock

Pro Tech Base Toolkit

$59.95 · 50+ in stock

Thirsty Bag

$6.95 · 50+ in stock

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Installing PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1.67 GHz (High-Res) Display

Author: Walter Galan
Difficulty: Difficult

Change out the entire display assembly, including the inverter, AirPort antenna, hinges and metal casing.

Sections

Battery 1 step
Memory Door 2 steps
Upper Case 7 steps
Modem 5 steps
PC Card Cage 6 steps
AirPort/Bluetooth Board 5 steps
Display 9 steps

Files

Aluminum-17"-Screw-Guide.pdf

Tools

Relevant parts

G4 Aluminum 17" 1.67 GHz (HR) Display Assembly

Formats:
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Edit Step 1 — Battery ¶

Use your thumbs to push the two battery retaining tabs away from the battery.
The battery should pop up enough to rotate it toward yourself and lift it out of the lower case.

Edit Step 2 — Memory Door ¶

Remove the three 2.3 mm Phillips screws securing the memory cover to the lower case.

Edit Step 3 ¶

Lift the memory cover slightly and pull it toward yourself to remove it from the lower case.

Edit Step 4 — Upper Case ¶

Remove the following ten screws:
- Two 14.7 mm shouldered Phillips.
- Three 12.3 mm Phillips.
- One 3.8 mm T8 Torx.
- One 6.8 mm T8 Torx.
- Three 1.3 mm Phillips.

Edit Step 5 ¶

The ZIF cable is located underneath the bottom RAM slot. If your PowerBook has both RAM slots occupied, make sure to remove the RAM chip.
Use your fingernails to separate the ZIF cable lock away from its socket. (Move the two brown bits down 1mm)
The ZIF cable lock will move about a millimeter away from the socket before it stops (see picture 2). Do not try to remove the ZIF cable lock.

Edit Step 6 ¶

Use the tip of a spudger to slide the trackpad ribbon cable out of its socket.

Edit Step 7 ¶

Remove the four 3.4 mm Phillips screws from the PC card side of the PowerBook.
When replacing these screws, you must reinstall each screw in the correct order. Begin by installing the screw closest to the display hinge, and go out from there.

Edit Step 8 ¶

Remove the four 3.4 mm Phillips screws from the DVI connector side of the PowerBook.
When replacing these screws, you must reinstall each screw in the correct order. Begin by installing the screw closest to the display hinge, and go out from there.
During reassembly, make sure to reinstall the two screws on the right into their appropriate locations, and not the DVI port anchor holes.

Edit Step 9 ¶

Depress the display latch release button and open your display.

Edit Step 10 ¶

Starting near the display, lift the upper case straight up off the lower case, minding any cables that may get caught.

Edit Step 11 — Modem ¶

If necessary, peel back the strip of aluminum tape covering the modem cable.

Edit Step 12 ¶

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the modem cable connector up off the modem.

Edit Step 13 ¶

Disconnect the RJ-11 cable from the modem.

Edit Step 14 ¶

Use a 4 mm nut driver to remove the two nuts securing the modem to the PC card cage.

Edit Step 15 ¶

Lift the modem straight up off the studs on the PC card cage.

Edit Step 16 — PC Card Cage ¶

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive cable connector up off the logic board.
Bend the hard drive cable away from the PC card cage, giving yourself room to remove it.

Edit Step 17 ¶

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the PC card cage connector up off the logic board.

Edit Step 18 ¶

Use the tip of a spudger to peel back the small strip of copper tape off the edge of the PC card cage near the side of the lower case.

Edit Step 19 ¶

Remove the four Phillips screws securing the PC card cage to the lower case.
The two longer shouldered screws belong in the end of the PC card cage closest to the logic board.

Edit Step 20 ¶

Lift the PC card cage by its center piece and maneuver it out of the lower case.

Edit Step 21 ¶

When reinstalling your PC card cage, be sure to insert the post sticking up from the PC card release button into the hole in the black plastic release mechanism on the PC card cage.

Edit Step 22 — AirPort/Bluetooth Board ¶

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the ribbon cable connector up off the AirPort/Bluetooth board.

Edit Step 23 ¶

Remove the single Phillips screw securing the AirPort/Bluetooth bracket to the lower case.
It is possible to remove the AirPort/Bluetooth board without removing this screw. Alternatively use the sharp end of a spudger to press the metal pressure connector (shown in orange) down through the hole in the AirPort/Bluetooth board, being careful to not break it off when prying the board up in the next step.

Edit Step 24 ¶

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the AirPort/Bluetooth board up off the adhesive securing it to the lower case.

Edit Step 25 ¶

If necessary, remove the piece of tape and EMI foam covering the AirPort/Bluetooth antennas.
Don't forget to reapply this piece of tape during reassembly. It insulates the bare antenna connectors from the metal PC card cage.

Edit Step 26 ¶

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both antenna connectors up off the AirPort/Bluetooth board.

Edit Step 27 — Display ¶

Pull the display data cable away from its socket to disconnect it from the logic board.
Be sure to pull only parallel to the face of the logic board, as pulling up on the socket will break it off the logic board.

Edit Step 28 ¶

If necessary, use the tip of a spudger to remove the small piece of foam tape from the side of the left speaker.

Edit Step 29 ¶

Disconnect the inverter cable from the logic board.
Be sure to pull only parallel to the face of the logic board, as pulling up on the socket will break it off the logic board.
When pulling this connector away from its socket, it is helpful to use your fingernails to pull on the ears at each side of the connector.

Edit Step 30 ¶

De-route both AirPort/Bluetooth antennas and the inverter cable from underneath the DC-in board ribbon cable.
It is not necessary to remove the DC-in board cable.

Edit Step 31 ¶

Before proceeding, be sure your display is perpendicular to the lower case.
Remove four T6 Torx screws from the left display hinge.
We intentionally have you leave one screw in the left display hinge to aid in disassembly.
The screw holding the plastic display cable bracket to the lower case is shorter than the rest.

Edit Step 32 ¶

Remove four T6 Torx screws from the right display hinge.
We intentionally have you leave one screw in the right display hinge to aid in disassembly.
The screw holding the plastic display cable bracket to the lower case is shorter than the rest.

Edit Step 33 ¶

While supporting the display with one hand, remove the one remaining T6 Torx screw from each display bracket (two screws total).

Edit Step 34 ¶

Lift the display straight up from the lower case, minding any cables that may get caught.

Edit Step 35 ¶

Here are a few tips for reassembling the display. These apply to both the left and right display brackets:
- A small bracket (shown in red) near either side of the clutch cover is free to rotate about the display hinge and must be inserted behind the heat sink framework for the display to seat properly.
- Before completely lowering the display onto the lower case, use a spudger to rotate the bracket toward the rear edge of your PowerBook, and insert the bracket between the heat sink framework and the adjacent spring. The second picture shows the bracket correctly installed.
- When removing the display screws, keep track of the thin metal bracket (shown in green) under the screws on the inner display bracket.
- The outer display bracket (shown in orange) simply slides onto the spiral display spring. Be sure to press it on before installing your display into the lower case.