Installing PowerBook G3 Pismo Processor

  • Author: iRobot
  • Difficulty: Easy
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This processor is not soldered to the logic board, and installing a replacement is very easy. There are processor upgrades that enable you to turn your Pismo into a G4.

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Tools
Relevant parts
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Keyboard  ¶ 

  • Turn the keyboard locking screw so that it is parallel to the space bar.

  • Pull the keyboard release tabs toward you and lift up on the keyboard until it pops free.

  • Lift the keyboard out by pulling it up and away from you. Rest the keyboard, face down, on top of the track pad.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Pull the keyboard ribbon straight up from the logic board. Place the keyboard aside.

  • The connector may be tight. Gently rock the connector from side to side while pulling directly upward to free it. You can use this technique on many of the cards and cables you'll be disconnecting.

  • Make sure you have removed the laptop battery and CD/DVD modules from the expansion bays before proceeding.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Your laptop should look approximately like this.

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Add Note Edit Step 4 — Heat Shield  ¶ 

  • Remove the two silver Phillips #1 screws that attach the heat shield to the internal metal framework.

  • Lift the heat shield up and pull it toward you.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Your laptop should look approximately like this.

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Add Note Edit Step 6 — Airport Card  ¶ 

  • Skip this step if your computer does not have an Airport card installed.

  • Firmly grasp the plastic tab attached to the Airport card and pull up and then to the right.

  • The Airport card is still attached to the antenna cable, so don't just yank it out of the slot.

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the antenna cable from the Airport card.

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Add Note Edit Step 8 — PRAM Battery  ¶ 

  • Pull the battery cable directly up from the logic board.

  • Remove the battery from its holder by pulling up and to the left.

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Add Note Edit Step 9  ¶ 

  • Your laptop should look approximately like this.

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Add Note Edit Step 10 — Heat Sink  ¶ 

  • Remove the long silver Phillips #1 screw from the heat sink.

  • Remove the two T8 Torx screws that attach the heat sink to the processor.

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Add Note Edit Step 11  ¶ 

  • Lift the heat sink up from the left side and pull it out.

  • If you need to mount the heat sink back into the laptop, we have a thermal paste guide that makes replacing the thermal compound easy.

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Add Note Edit Step 12 — Processor  ¶ 

  • Grasp the plastic tab on the processor's right side and pull it directly up.

  • Some processors may be missing the plastic pull tab. In this case, we suggest using a non-metal tool to gently pry up the processor. Slip the tool's thin edge under the front right corner of the processor and carefully pry it up.

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Add Note Edit Step 13  ¶ 

  • Your laptop should look approximately like this.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

For more information, check out the PowerBook G3 Pismo device page.

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