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Released in October 2003, the iBook G4 replaced the iBook G3 as Apple's portable consumer computer. The iBook G4 was sold in 12" and 14" models and updated for the last time in 2005.

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How to troubleshoot an unpredictable shut out, shut down of iBook?

This unit describes itself as an iBook G4 running 1.07 GHz. Started up it sometimes runs, sometimes not. Right now it is in its sometimes not phase.

Typically, if we want it to crash (meaning the screen goes blank and we do not know if the subprocesses are running but the sound o the harddrive and or fan can still be heard) we can touch the lower righthand corner of the CPU. A less than light touch on the trackpad or button will shut it down. Also, looking at it as if it were a PC running Vista will also shut it down.

We had applecare on this for three years and it had a screen replaced as well as a number of warranty issues. It is well past that time so I opened the screen as one of the screws did not appear to be set correctly and found a multitude of loose screws that Apple repair never bothered to screw back in. Wondering if they could not bother to finish the screen repair how likely is it that they managed to miss attaching grounding and other vital parts.

Insights are welcomed as I just am not ready to trash this mac.

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You should open the machine and check all the screws and components connectors. It's normal to find loose screws after a while in an unit that has been serviced cause the techs don't bother to apply the sealing blue glue on the screws threads when reassembling the computer. You crashing problem could be caused by a loose screw somewhere that short the electronic when pressure is applied on it or, since the problem occurs when you push to the lower right hand of the top case, it can be the typical iBook G4 desoldered graphic chip failure.

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Who knows what's unconnected or shorted out. To fix this I'd have to open it up shake the loose screws out and go over it to see if I could replace the screws or spot anything burned or unconnected. Then put ti back together and see if the problems persisted. You've really asked a question that can't be answered here.

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So I was almost wrong. Leave it to lemerise to come up with some answer. Kudos on the graphic chip, I had forgotten that. But not quite enough 4 a upvote today, beside, I think I've already given U 4 today ;-)

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I agree with you mayer it's not an easy problem to troubleshoot online. If it was my machine I would strip it and check the logic board condition first then test the machine at each assembling step to find the faulty part.

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Thanks both to mayer and lemerise.

I wasn't sure which way to take it and was looking for any possible "recall" issue or typical problem. The graphic chip failure would be one of those items I will be checking.

Hopefully, in the next week I will be able to do a tear-down.

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OK Clifford, you may edit your initial question for an update after the tear-down. Maybe we'll be able to help.

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