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Can I replace retention "washer" for battery screw?

I have an iBook G4 14" laptop I bought used to give my 8 yo granddaughter for Christmas. I replaced the battery and power adapter. In replacing the battery, the plastic "washer" that keeps the screw from falling out of the case fractured. This doesn't seem to affect the ability to lock the battery in place, since that appears to be accomplished by a metal latch with a hole in it at the bottom of the "screw hole" that slides horizontally (the battery screw has an off-center "peg" in the bottom that engages that hole and slides the latch). However, the battery screw itself can fall out fairly easily as it is now (and it's ugly). I'd like to replace the "washer". I wouldn't mind buying the battery screw as well, or even a screw set, if it came to that, but I have been unable to find the washer or screw alone, and also unable to determine the contents of the screw sets. I can think of a number of practical work-arounds that would allow safe use of the laptop without replacing that "washer", but I prefer to do the correct repair if possible. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

-Sam

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Your best bet is to replace the entire lower casing, lock mechanism and all. I just searched eBay for "iBook 14" lower casing", and I came across several as low as $18 shipped. There are guides on this site that will show you how to replace it.

The lock mechanism is very difficult to deal with once it is broken, and I'm not sure there is a satisfactory permanent fix. Even if there is a way, as you've discovered it's going to be difficult to find those parts separate from the lower casing, since they are not something people usually remove from the lower casing.

Good luck!

John

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While the answer is likely correct, and $20 or less is a reasonable amount to spend, since this issue is almost entirely cosmetic, I decided to avoid the agida of dismantling the laptop to replace the lower casing. Instead, I made sure the battery was securely locked, set the screw flush with the case (the retention washer is mostly just cracked) and afixed a mylar sticker over the screw hole. Hopefully there will be no reason to remove the (brand new) battery for quite some time. When that need develops, the sticker can be removed, the screw gently pried out, and the latch moved with a toothpick. When the battery is reinserted, my procedure can be repeated (with a new sticker, natch). Not elegant, but functional, quick, and cheap.

-Sam

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Nunya will be eternally grateful.
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