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  • How to take off a keyboard key ? 1 week ago

    MacBook Pro 13" Unibody 2.66Ghz What is the exact procedure to take off a keyboard key on my machine ? From which side of the key do I begin the lift up ? Don't want to damage the keys but need to clean a coffee spill under 4 or 5 keys. Also anyone knows how to restore the backlit illuminatio

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Answers

  • Answer to: Can I Use a Keyboard from an iBook G4 12" in Here? 15 hours ago

    My daughter didn't like her iBook G4 12" 1.33Ghz keyboard so I installed a iBook G3 12" 800mhz keyboard on the 1.33 G4 and it worked great. Connector was the same, no fitting, it was a very simple swap. I think all iBooks G3 dual USB (not the clamshell) and the iBook G4 have the same keyboard connector. You can even fit a 14" keyboard in a 12" case but you'll have to fold the cable a little under the keyboard.

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  • Answer to: Trackpad Connection Problem Nov 14 @ 3:09 PM

    I use a small pair of plastic pliers to guide the connector to the socket. The keyboard/trackpad connector is the last connector you clip before closing the top case. First enter the AC adapter port to the top case hole then align and connet the power switch connector in his socket with a plastic spudger then connect the speakers connector to the speaker socket with the spunger. Once this connector is in place and well connected enter about half to 3/4 inch of the speaker cable in the hole over the speaker socket, if you don't do that you'll have problem to close the top case. Last connector to connect is the keyboard/trackpad connector. Use a small flashlight and light the connector while you're ajusting the top case just over the connector. If you don't have the plastic pliers use the spunger to guide the connector over the socket pins and push it down carefully. If it is not well aligned you will fell a resistance so don't put too much force. Also (I often made that mistake) before installing the top case on the ibook G4 800 to 1.2Ghz models double-check if the sleep magnet is there under the top case cause the sleep function will not work and you'll have to reopen the case.

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  • Answer to: What type of OS is in my PowerBook Nov 14 @ 7:46 AM

    You may download a freeware called Mactracker that list all the Macs with their specs, original installation OS and much more. http://mactracker.dreamhosters.com/

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  • Answer to: No sound from PowerBook G4 17" internal speaker after HDD change Nov 13 @ 11:36 AM

    one or more legs under the speakers socket on the motherboard may be desoldered if you applied to much force removing the connector. Open the top case and apply a little pressure on the connector with a spunger while booting the PB and if you got sound then you'll have your answer. Now to resolder the socket is another game, that's micro soldering and the pins are under the socket.

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  • Answer to: Case warping Nov 13 @ 1:26 AM

    To put back in place this curly little piece of metal use a drop or two of super glue. You can glue the part to the metal frame. Cut a wooden popsicle stick in two, apply the glue between the aluminum part and the metal frame then install wooden sticks in front of the aluminum part and rear of the metal frame then use a small visegrip to hold the parts together for about 15 minutes. Top case must be lifted. This method also work with PB G4 12/15 inches.

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  • Answer to: DVD Drive No longer works Nov 13 @ 12:47 AM

    Sometimes the optical drive is still functional but needs a clean up to do efficiently his job. When there's dust (or if you smoke, tabaco fume residue) on the laser lens the laser beam may not correctly read the disk and the result is that the optical drive will spit it out. So if your intention is to replace the optical drive yourself you could open the optical drive (4 screws) and clean the laser lens with a Qtip and alcool (apply a very small amount of alcool on the Qtip and clean the lens without applying too much pressure on it then dry the lens with the other Qtip end). It's also a good occasion to clean the optical drive mecanism with compressed air and check if the black textile protection at the entrance of the drive is well glued in place.

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Discussions

Replies

  • Re: ibook G4 screen goes black after start up 15 hours ago

    Connect the ibook to an external monitor and tell us what you see.

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  • Re: Mac Book Pro Gfx card problem? 2 days ago

    Seems to be the graphic chip that is acting up. It's a problem with many MBP with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphic card. If your MBP has this card click on this link:

    http://theappleblog.com/2009/06/01/apple-extends-macbook-pro-nvidia-geforce-service-policy-to-three-years/

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  • Re: LCD Jumbled on Aluminum PowerBook G4 - 1.67Ghz 3 days ago

    I would check the LVDS cable connection to the LCD panel but from what you describe it seems to be a faulty panel. Did you try to connect to an external monitor ?

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  • Re: iBook G4 14" Display 3 days ago

    http://www.ifixit.com/iBook-Parts/iBook-G4-14-Inch-Display-Assembly/IF184-016

    All the 14" display are compatibles. Only the 1.42Ghz ibook model has different airport cable and inverter cable cause the inverter socket on the motherboard is smaller and the 1.42 use an integrated airport/bluethoot card. When ordering the display just specify it's for a 14" 1.2Ghz machine and not for a 1.42 one.

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  • Re: ibook G4 Won't Turn On 3 days ago

    try to reset the ibook power manager: take off the battery, disconnect the AC adapter then push on the power button for 5 seconds. Reinstall battery, connect AC adapter and try to boot the ibook. If it does'nt work then you should test your battery and AC adapter on another ibook. If they're working then you got a power problem. Could be a bad power switch, DC board or faulty motherboard,

    Since your battery is not full charge the AC adapter tip should show a yellow color meaning the battery is currently in charge mode.

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  • Re: Do I need a new logic board? 3 days ago

    I worked on a broken iBook G4 that was stuck to the "spinning wheel" screen at boot up. The unit had a bad optical drive cable. Cheap repair but in your case it could also be something else.

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  • Re: iBook G4 14" Display 4 days ago

    What is your iBook G4 model (processor speed) ? You can contact the guys here at iFixit it. They can sell you the good part (LVDS cable) but you need to identify your machine.

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  • Re: Powerbook 15" G4 1.67 now a non starter 5 days ago

    I agree with dentoni, lift up the top case and double-check the keyboard/trackpad cable connection on the motherboard. The start up button uses this cable to power the logic board.

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  • Re: iBook G4 Heatsink Pads 5 days ago

    yes. Clean the processor, the graphic chip and the heatsink with the cleaning fluid and apply the thermal paste over the processor and the graphic chip (not to the heatsink). Spread a good coat of thermal paste with your finger but not too much then align carefuly the heatsink over them. Your guides are the screws holes. Try to not move the heatsink while you're fixing the screws.

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  • Re: iBook G4 Heatsink Pads 5 days ago

    The best is to replace the thermal pads to avoid excessive overheating of the processor and graphic chip. You'll have peace of mind. You may use thermal pads or artic silver thermal paste available in any electronic shop. Also, just one advice, don't put too much pressure when screwing the two mounting bolts with springs on the heatsink. I use a 5/32" socket to do it. The mounting male part is soldered to the logic board and it's easy to desolder it if excessive force is applied when screwing. Other screws on the heatsink can be tightened without problem.

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