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PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement

What you need

  1. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • Orient the computer so that the side with the line of screws on it is away from you.

    • Use your thumbs to push both battery release tabs away so that the edge of the battery lifts up.

    • Lift the battery out of the computer.

  2. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement, Upper Case: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the three identical Phillips screws from the memory door.

  3. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • Lift the memory door up enough so that you can get a grip on it, and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing.

  4. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Release the tabs on each side of the RAM chip at the same time. These tabs lock the chip in place and releasing them will cause the chip to "pop" up.

    • Pull the chip directly out from its connectors. If there is a second RAM chip installed, pop it out in the same manner.

    • This is a diagram of the trackpad ribbon clamp connector you will disconnect in the next step.

    • 1) With your fingernails, grasp the locking bar on either side slide it a small amount (about 1/16" or 2 mm) towards the battery.

    • 2) After disengaging the locking bar, slide the cable out of the connector.

  5. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1
    • For this step, you only need to move the connector about 2 mm. Pulling too hard or too far will damage the connector.

    • Loosen the trackpad connector by pulling the locking bar toward the battery housing, using the tips of your fingers.

    • Slide the trackpad cable out of the loosened connector.

    • When reattaching the trackpad ribbon cable, make sure that the orange cable is slid into the connector above the locking bar.

    • Note: When reassembling the case, the trackpad cable can get stuck below the slot to the motherboard. It's possible to nudge it out slowly by gently prodding it on either side with a small screwdriver. You don't need to use much force to do this. Eventually it will just pop back out and you can reconnect as per the instructions above. Also, note that the locking bar comes loose so if you see a little piece of plastic lying around when reassembling, that's what it is. :)

  6. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following 10 screws from the bottom case:

    • Three 1.7 mm Phillips from the front edge of the battery compartment.

    • One 3.9 mm T8 Torx to the right of the memory card.

    • One 6.9 mm T8 Torx at the left edge of the memory compartment.

    • Three 12.4 mm fully threaded Phillips from the center of the row of screws along the back edge of the case.

    • Two 15.1 mm 2.5 mm threaded Phillips, one from either end of the row of screws along the back edge of the case.

    • Turn the computer over and rotate it so that the DVI port faces you.

    • Remove the four identical Phillips screws spread along this edge of the case.

    • Turn the computer 180 degrees so that the power receptacle faces you, and remove the four Phillips screws (identical to those in the last step).

  7. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1
    • Open the computer and turn it so that the screen faces you.

    • Pull the upper case off, lifting from the back, and working around the edges.

  8. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1
    • Use a spudger to loosen the casing if it sticks.

    • Once the casing is entirely free, lift it off of the computer.

  9. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement, Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz): step 12, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the orange tape that covers the keyboard connector and ribbon.

  10. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1
    • For the following step, you only need to move the connector about 2 mm. Pushing too hard or too far will damage the connector.

    • Loosen the keyboard connector by pushing the thin piece toward the keyboard, using the tips of your fingers.

  11. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1
    • Peel off the adhesive covering the back of the keyboard.

  12. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the 14 identical Phillips screws that attach the keyboard to the metal casing.

  13. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1
    • Place the upper casing on edge and use a spudger to push the keyboard away from the casing, poking the spudger through the holes where the screws were.

  14. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1
    • Lay the casing flat so that the keyboard faces up and and slowly pry the keyboard up, beginning at the back edge along the 'F' keys, and moving toward the space bar.

  15. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17" 1-1.67 GHz Keyboard (1-1.5 GHz) Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 1
    • Turn the casing over and work the grey keyboard ribbon through the slot.

    • Turn the casing back over and pull the freed keyboard directly up, minding the cable as it slides through the slot in the casing.

Conclusion

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

5 other people completed this guide.

Attached Documents

iRobot

Member since: 09/24/09

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636 Guides authored

One Comment

Please. Where are the missing pictures? Thanks

Paul Alexander - Reply

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