Ibook g4 logic board work around?

Newbie here and have read several threads on this topic.
I've got a ibook g4 late 2004 1.07ghz 14 inch display and it seems to have the logic board problem.
I've been doing some tests and here's something i've discovered for some of you who may have or are expierencing this problem:
1. i can only install os 10.4 via cd. i tried 10.2, 9.2 and it won't boot off the cd. oddly enough, i tried this because i wanted to see if the fan would kick in or can be set to kick in earlier then the settings on os x 10.4. why? see # 3.
2. I tried the typical hard drive format, disk utility check and ram / airport card removal same problem. I did this to eleminate a hardware malfunction on one of these devices.
3. i started the ibook while it was completely stationary and powered it on with the battery. here's the catch...i set the power to "battery performance" and set the cpu to "reduced" in the option feature. Why? my theory is the heat from the logicboard gets to the point where the cpu or gpu move up and thus we get the typical freezing of the screen, lines on the screen, etc.
My findings were as I suspected. after setting the screen display to low lighting, cpu to reduced speed and running on best battery performance, i was able to use the ibook from 100% battery all the way down to 0%. This was using the ibook on the web strictly. When i ac powered it up and tried used several applications...boom....went to freeze.
At this point..the unit is noticeably warm. Keeps freezing. forget it. I wait for 6 hours then boot off the battery again. Take a guess...with the lowest performance settings i got to use the ibook up to 0% battery life.
Now, the big ? is if there is an application to reduce the cpu speed and set the fan settings to kick in earlier then what os x has preset for would be a great test to try. Also, a cooling pad for under the ibook or some method to keep it from getting to the trigger heat point is another option.
Any have any ideas on the last 2 options?

Hi guys,
I have an ibookG4 1GHz with the approx 15 months until logic board becomes sick with the usual symptoms... (freezes, no boots, boots to screen w/ vertical colored lines, etc.)
I also took the beast apart and confirmed that the logic board was "touchy" by just touching it on the "top" side near the hard drive (where left hand would lay on the computer if you were using it). So, I tried taping a piece of corrugated cardboard between the bottom case and the metal shield. The symptoms actually got worse/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png
Then I happened to read about the 2 mm playing card trick and tried it... son um a gun, it's been working fine now for hours/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png/___sbsstatic ___/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png/___sbsstatic___/migration-image s/migration-img-not-avail.png/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/migration-img-not -avail.png
The lesson seems to be that too thick is not good, a few playing cards seems to be just right/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png
Also, I have another possible theory as too the origin of the problem....
I know that those little rubber feet seem to come off very easily. On my machine, I have lost all the feet EXCEPT the one on the battery. This situation would always cause the base of the laptop to be CONCAVE. Notice that the pressure that is applied by the "2 mm worth of cards trick" would then be counteracting the concaveness. In fact, anytime there is only a single rubber foot, or, only two feet that are next to each other (not diagonal), the base of the ibook will be forced concave.
Having three feet will cause CONVEXITY (possibly slight dipping down of the corner without the foot). Two feet diagonal to each other should also cause convexity (opposite corners should dip downward)
My predictions: people who have the logic board problem have only one rubber foot, or two feet that are not diagonal.
Hey, I'm a scientist, I always have theories/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png/___sbssta tic___/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png
Good luck guys,
Dean
PS. Let me know how wrong my theory is...
ibook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Similar Messages

Does 30 Gig Logic Board Work With A 60 Gig Model?

Does 30 Gig Logic Board Work With A 60 Gig Model?

It should work, but I would be careful just in case.

Ibook g3 logic board horror history

Hi people,
I don't expect much of this post, I just want to let my history out so you would reconsider buying apple products in the future.
I'm a Mexico studend and got an ibook g3 almost three years ago (will be three years in january next year).
I really love the machine but I'm in my FIFTH logic board by now, and its starting to fail again with random lines in the screen (the same symptom again :-().
The first three times the logic board failed apple remplaced it free of charge under the logic board extension problem, every time taking like 3 or 4 weeks to do it (imagine 3 or 4 weeks without your machine and files :().
The four time I spoke to people in Apple Mexico and they didn't even wanted to replace the logic board, I was really ****** off but in the end they repaired the machine again free of charge, taking about two months in doing it.
Now the machine is failing again and I'll have to yield again on the phone to Apple México just to have the logic board fail in three or four months again when the extensions will have expired for me, and that if they even want to repair it again this time.
Everytime they asure me they are using apple original parts and that the logic board problem has been solved in the new boards, but yet and again the board fails again.
I'm really ****** off at Apple. Since I got the ibook I also got a Powerbook and iPod, but Apple would not see my money again, they make great products but they customer service *****.
Thanks for reading, it's good to let it out.
ibook g3 800mhz Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Hello, Juan Pablo. Welcome to Apple Discussions. (I think?)
This is a user-to-user forum, so nobody here can do much except offer advice.
You have violated the Terms of Use of Apple Discussions by, basically, only complaining, slamming Apple, and not asking for help, but I'm going to try to help you, anyway.
Have your iBook serial number and dates and details of past repairs at hand. Call Apple Public Relations in California at (408) 974-2042, and ask to speak to Customer Relations. Be prepared for a long wait on the phone, so don't get angrier about that.
Once you get Customer Relations on the line, explain to them that you have experienced the fifth logic board failure on your iBook and how long it has taken you to get it back each time it was sent away for repairs. Tell them you need a computer you can count on, and your iBook isn't getting the job done for you. Ask for a replacement computer. They have done this in the past in a few cases, and, in my opinion, your sad situation should qualify.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2308046&#2308046
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2035294&#2035294
Keep the tone polite and disappointed, not angry, although I understand why you are. But the Customer Relations people, being only human, will respond better to a disappointed customer than an angry one.
To the other readers you are trying to warn, I say: this is not the usual case, and Apple cares about its customers. For every one person who posts here with problems, thousands of others are happily iBooking away with no problems whatsoever.
Even though you weren't really asking for help, I've tried to help you here. Please let us know how things go.

IBook G4 logic board repair

iBook G3 had a logicboard repair program
http://www.apple.com/support/ibook/faq/
Many iBook G4 purchasers have the same problem and "Apple accepts fault for defective iBooks in Denmark"
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/09/21/brieflyipod_estimates_top_10m_ibook_payout_korean_iphonetalks.html
Can other customers expect any extention program for iBooks G4 bought since 2004?
Thanks

Well that chip in question is on the logic board.
The steady deluge of complaints, and a subsequent investigation by the independent >lab Delta, led the Board to discover an easily repeatable flaw: a solder joint for >a mainboard chip would loosen with each press of the power button, invariably >causing a break in an important connection that would effectively kill the system
This is not the only bad solder connection on these boards. U28 is another one that has problems for example.
Richard

IBook G4 1ghz 14" logic board change

I have a 14" iBook with the 1197mhz cpu. The logic board is bad and I have been looking into a replacement. My question is, will the 14" ibook 1.33ghz board work in here? They look identical but I just want to know if anyone has tried this or knows for sure if it would work.
Thanks!

Most people are not, but there are a lot of people who are indeed 'tech savy" and they generally know who they are. There is nothing magic about the construction and assembly of the ibook. It is just a bunch of components assembled in a particular way.
I have had many computers apart and I never wear a grounded wrist strap and have never had one fail. The potential for doing harm is real but it is grossly overstated unless you have a careless approach in your work. There is no need for a strap if you know what you are doing, and that means understanding what potential your body is at, your tools, and the equipment you are working on, and how to keep them all at the same level as they change.
The logic boards in question may very well be interchangeable. For instance, there were three different speeds of the Powerbook 3400 which all had interchangeable mother boards. In fact, they interchanged with the first G3 Powerbook which used an entirely different processor.
If you have competency in these matters (and you know if you do or not) don't let the nay sayers discourage you. The rewards for fixing something yourself far surpass the feelings you get from buying something.
This forum is not really a good place to ask the question about whether a logic board will fit. Rather, try the ibook mailing list. It is made up of people who tend to fix things for themselves.
http://listserver.themacintoshguy.com/mailman/listinfo/ibook

Retrieving info off ibook with dead logic board

our ibook's logic board died, so we bought a new macbook. now we are trying to retrieve stuff off the harddrive of the ibook with firewire.
i followed the steps to use target disk mode, but the ibook starts up with a blue screen and a floating firewire symbol, and nothing shows up on the macbook at all.
the repair guy said nothing was wrong with the hard drive, so why can't i access it?
please help!

jayson,
The C clamp method works for some units because of an open circuit short on the logic board isolated at the video card chip in the lower left hand corner of the unit, about dead center 1.25 inch approx. away from the left/bottom edge of the iBook. By appling pressure to that area the chip is forced back down into the logic board, closing the circuit, and enabling the computer to startup, use the display and not go into kernal panic from a open circuit short. As far as getting data off of the HD, the local tech claimed my HD was erased and there was nothing viewable on it. I took it home, applied some pressure with my my hand and viola all my data, user account etc like nothing had happened...its sad but I am sitting next to my old computer clamped to the table with some cardboard shims for protection. Guess its a desktop now until I get it fixed!

Logic board failure, hard drive failure, soon to be heart failure

Up until a few weeks ago, I owned an iBook that ran like a champ. Suddenly, I got funky lines on the screen, and the cursor froze. I had no idea what it was, so I discovered after two seconds of research online that my logic board had failed. I actually didn't know that they had been recalled, so it never got fixed. With a dead computer, my wife and I decided that it'd be more economical to just buy a new MacBook than it would be to have Apple repair the logic board.
In the meantime, I had to boot up the iBook twice to get some info out of it, and I read online that you could put some pressure on the left wrist rest to possibly make the logic board "work" temporarily. The second time I did this, I heard a crunch, but was still able to use the iBook. I am now under the impression that what I heard was the beginning of the end for that drive.
We received our new MacBook not quite two weeks ago. I finally got around to buying a firewire cable yesterday so that I could attempt to transfer my files. I attempted to boot up in target mode, and I got nothin'. I tried to boot up the iBook, and I got the flashing question mark/folder icon.
I stopped in at the local Genius Bar, and the tech told me to just remove the hard drive out of the iBook and put it in a case. Removing the hard drive was straightforward thanks to the many online how-to manuals I found, and I then installed it into an enclosure.
When I plug in the now external hard drive to the USB port, the enclosure lights up, but it doesn't recognize the external drive. The hard drive does not sound like it is spinning, either.
Short of data recovery, I don't know what to do now. I have 4 gigs of pictures that I absolutely can not replace, and it will literally break me if I lose them.
I could really use some guidance and direction on this issue. Three weeks ago, I had no problem whatsoever, and now I have an iBook in pieces on my dining room table and a hard drive that no longer works. If I had just had the logic board fixed, this wouldn't be an issue now.
Thanks in advance, I truly appreciate the help.

Hey Rick and welcome to Apple Discussions,
I got funky lines on the screen, and the cursor froze.
Right the Graphics Processor Unit ball grid array failed and the computer froze since the GUI runs thu there. Shim repair or reball (permanent).
I read online that you could put some pressure on the left wrist rest to possibly make the logic board "work" temporarily. The second time I did this, I heard a crunch, but was still able to use the iBook. I am now under the impression that what I heard was the beginning of the end for that drive.Short of data recovery, I don't know what to do now. I have 4 gigs of pictures that I absolutely can not replace, and it will literally break me if I lose them.
Right Rhonda posted a picture of the exact placement of the GPU here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1368645&tstart=0
Down on the bottom (if you can't see it try Safari, I can't see it in FireFox).
I think that putting pressure from the top is a problem since the hard drive is exactly above that chip. So maybe the bottom should come off before anyone tries this.
Of course that doesn't help you now. So the drive was spinning up but now it's not. Pull that drive out and take a very good look at it.
Look across the top - dented? mmm that's bad might not be recoverable.
OK go on.
Carefully examine the multi pin socket - look OK? No? go to removing the board.
move on
Carefully examine the circuit board underneath the drive. Good?
Bad - cracked? chipped?
It might be possible to repair it but you'll have to find the exact model of this drive. It would have to be working and you would swap the circuit boards. Post the exact model and make of the drive and I'll see if I have any examples here.
I just pulled the board off a Toshiba and it just plugs right in.
I got this off the web where guys have fixed their drives this way. They were IDE drives but I think this would work.
If you can get it to spin up use Data Rescue II.
Post back. Really good pictures would help.
Richard

New logic board, and new display, but now completely dead.

Hi guys,
I've got an iBook G3, running 10.3.9.
In December 2006, the logic board failed, so I bought a MacBook, because I didn't have time to be offline waiting weeks for Apple to replace the iBook's logic board.
After much badgering, Apple reluctantly replaced the iBook's logic board under the extended warranty program.
While the iBook was with the Apple repair store, they replaced the display for new as well, even though I didn't ask them to, and even though I wasn't charged for it.
I presume that was because the store discovered that the display was duff enough to be replaced under another extended warranty program.
When I got the "repaired" unit home, with a brand new logic board, and a brand new display, I turned it on, and it seemed to be working fine, so I turned it off, and continued to use my MacBook.
A few weeks ago, the second logic board on my MacBook failed (another long horror story entirely), so I began using the iBook for the first time since it had been "repaired" some six months earlier.
Almost immediately, the iBook began exhibiting a major problem, specifically that I'd be typing away, and suddenly the display would go black.
I could just about see the icons and documents on the screen, but the unit was unusable.
So I pulled restarts, full shutdowns, disk utility, zapped the PRAM, etc, all to no avail.
It seemed to be an intermittent problem.
For example, sometimes, from a cold start, the unit would work for two or three hours until the display went black.
Other times, I'd pull a cold start, and it would go straight to the black display.
By chance, I discovered that if I gave the iBook a shake, the display would come back on.
But then it would go black after a second or two.
And then with another shake, it would come back on for a second or two.
And then it would go black after a second or two.
And then with another shake, it would come back on, sometimes for a couple of hours at a time.
So I figured that it must be a cable which, during the installation of the logic board, and/or the new display, wasn't seated correctly by the technician.
I phoned Apple, and told them about it.
They said that because I had reported the issue beyond 90 days since the logic board had been replaced, it was no longer Apple's problem.
I explained to Apple that I hadn't used the iBook for six months, because I had a MacBook.
After much badgering, Apple has agreed to replace the logic board if it's faulty.
However, Apple has refused to replace the NEW display, even if that's also faulty.
Apple is also insisting that I have to pay all the labor charges.
Meanwhile, I've noticed that the iBook is now incredibly hot.
I mean, the MacBook is infamous for running hot, but this "repaired" iBook makes my MacBook feel like a block of ice by comparison.
I don't remember the iBook running so extremely hot before the "repair."
Which has made me notice that during the last few weeks, I've never heard the iBook's fan come on.
I presume that an iBook has a fan ?
Please confirm.
Therefore, another loose cable ?
Today, the display went black again, as usual.
So I gave the iBook a shake.
But this time, nothing happened.
No display.
No fan.
No hard drive spinning.
Just silent and dead.
What do you reckon, guys ?
Duff logic board ?
And/or duff display ?
And/or duff fan ?
And/or duff cabling by the technician ?
As far as I'm concerned, I don't see why I should have to pay for yet another repair, to correct hardware and/or workmanship which was so bad that after only three weeks of ACTUAL use since the "repair", the unit is now completely dead.
All opinions and advice gratefully received.
With thanks and best wishes,
Michael
London, England

Hi S,
Many thanks for your helpful and swift response.
I agree with you regarding the likelihood that these problems would have surfaced immediately during normal usage, regardless of how much or little time had passed since the repair.
As advised, I will inform Apple Customer Relations UK about the new developments.
Indeed, when I resubmit the iBook, I'll include a print-out of this discussion.
I agree with you about the fan.
Prior to the failure of the first logic board, I ran that iBook for YEARS, without noticing any heat issue.
Indeed, if there had been such incredible heat, then I'd have searched these discussion boards, and reported it to Apple HQ.
Therefore, the astonishing heat is definitely a new development since the "repair."
Consequently, I take on board your comments about the lack of a working fan since the "repair", which I shall also mention to Apple HQ.
As for running the Apple Hardware Test, the unit is completely dead.
The power cable is green, but the unit is now completely silent and black.
I also note your suggestions regarding the cable which connects the display to the rest of the unit, which I shall also mention to Apple HQ.
No repair sheet was ever given to me by the Apple Repair Centre (ARC).
Indeed, no receipt was ever given to me when I delivered the unit to the ARC, nor was any paperwork ever given to me when I collected the unit from the ARC.
However, Apple HQ can see on their screen that the logic board and display were both replaced for new by the ARC.
What else was and wasn't done by the ARC is a mystery.
I'll phone the ARC and ask for copies of any and all paperwork, so that I can submit it all to Apple HQ, which I note is your recommended option, rather than returning the unit to the ARC.
However, the complicating factor is that with the exception of the logic board, it is my understanding that Apple is denying any liability on any part of the "repaired" unit, including the brand new display.
If I understand Apple HQ correctly, they're now saying that all other hardware and labor costs will be mine.
I'm sure I could buy a WORKING second-hand iBook G3 for the same price as a repair, if not cheaper.
Therefore, perhaps I should return the unit to the ARC, and give them the opportunity to correct their previous workmanship, at their OWN cost.
Because as far as I'm concerned, the ARC had two customers during the repair: Apple and the end-user, as evidenced by the fact that the ARC has invoiced its first customer Apple for workmanship which was clearly not up to Apple's own standards, and the ARC has then delivered the unit to its second customer, the end-user.
In addition, regardless of Apple's 90 day warranty on repaired hardware, UK law includes the Sale of Goods Act 1979, and other relevant legislation: http://www.dti.gov.uk/consumers/fact-sheets/page38311.html
Furthermore, if the ARC is completely unhelpful, I could jump all over them, by writing to Apple HQ, with cc's to the UK editions of MacWorld, MacFormat, and MacUser magazines.
As advised, if the unit goes to Apple HQ, I will suggest that the unit is looked at carefully during disassembly, to see if errors were made during the ARC "repair."
I'm always polite when on the phone to Apple, because I love the company so much.
Indeed, even though during the last twelve months, I've been having very bad luck with the iBook, as well as with a MacBook which has exhibited so many problems that Apple has now agreed to replace old for new, I still love my Mac.
And joy, sweet joy, I've just seen on the TNT courier's tracker website, that my replacement MacBook, built by Apple in Singapore, then flown to Arnhem in Germany, then flown to Northampton UK, then delivered to Heathrow UK, left the Heathrow depot 30 minutes ago, for delivery to the customer.
And the sun is shining.
Thank you again for all your kind and wise advice.
With best wishes,
Michael
London, England

How many times did you change the logic board?

Hello everybody,
I"m the formerly proud owner of an iBook G3. Solowly I"m getting tired of the logic board problem. I have AppleCare, but by now I"m sending my iBook twice a year for repair!
By now I had my iBook sent to Care 5 times due to the logic board problem.
Now I"d like to know if this is average, low or high ranking on the G3 exchange scale,
Who can beat 5?
Michael

Michael,
Mine has been back three times.
If your iBook's logic board goes out again, I recommend that you call Apple and, instead of talking to Customer Support, immediately ask for Customer Relations. Be prepared with dates and details of your iBook's repair history, tell them you need a computer that is dependable, and your iBook just isn't. Then ask for a replacement. It has been known to happen.
Good luck.

M6498 15" Logic board replacement

I have a 15" M6498 g4/800 imac with a bad logic board.
Mine is the earlier version; EMC no. 1873, SN QT2213Q6LF4.
I have access to a logic board from the later version of the same g4/800 model:
M6498 SN QP32**18.
Will the later logic board work in my imac ?
<Edited by Host>

Yes, it will work, but you may have to reinstall the OS.

IMPORTANT LOGIC BOARD INFO

Hey everyone, I just wanted to post my experiences with the iBook G3 logic board issue. I purchased a used 12" iBook G3 800mhz about a year ago. I thought I had read well enough into the logic board repair program and purposely bought an iBook that had already been through it, in fact recently enough to have most of the 90 day warranty left. Not long after I found myself having the same logic board issues I was trying to avoid. Between the two owners the iBook received 5 logic board replacements, as well as a new hard drive, 2 new reed switch assemblies, a power adapter -- this thing was a pain.
On the 5th logic board replacement the Mac Genius I was talking with told me something I had never heard before; he informed me that when they service the computer they replace the logic board with a different used logic board, which has yet to experience a failure, but has probably not been repaired of the defect. It seems like many of us have gone through replacement after replacement until we get lucky and find a board that has actually been fixed or didn't experience this defect in the first place.
When I got the iBook back with it's 6th logic board I found out the repair service Apple used had closed the case improperly and jammed the optical drive. I did what many have suggested and called Apple Corporate, asking for Customer Relations, and simply stated "I'm calling to pursue a replacement." Apple replaced the iBook with an off-the-shelf, current model iBook G4. As far as I can tell, I got exactly what I would have if I had ordered the iBook from the Apple Store, but for free.
By no means am I here to badmouth Apple. Although I have been through many unfortunate inconveniences, the customer service department has always been great to me. Even being in and out of warranties, I only spent a total of $20 on the repairs. This replacement was far more than I could ever have asked for, didn't cost me a cent, and has more than rectified the situation in my opinion. Their immaculate customer service is one of the biggest reasons why I stick by Apple and will continue to recommend them to friends and family.
If you're having problems, be persistent but don't be aggressive. Contrary to the "official" word, Apple will do repairs outside of warranty at the discretion of a Genius, even a replacement.

Thanks for posting your experience, Matt.
Only Apple knows what criteria qualify you for a replacement. Some people are successful; some are not.
Multiple repairs seem to be a qualifier. The more repairs an iBook (and its owner) has suffered through, the more likely a replacement will be offered.
It doesn't hurt to be polite; it doesn't help to be angry.
It usually takes a Customer Relations representative to help you; Customer Service can't do it.
I am over 250 miles from an Apple Store, so no Genius is going to be helping me. Strictly phone and mail service. I have heard of a Genius giving a replacement, but only on one occasion. I think it must take a store manager to have that kind of authority.
Congratulations on your new iBook G4!

Logic Board Does Not Detect Hard Drive???

Problem on startup shows "Folder with (?) Mark on it". Tried to use Disk Utility but it does not detect. Replaced drive and still nothing. Use the drive as external and it boots normal. It looks like it's something else. I have order a new cable connection that goes from the logic board to the hard drive, as it's cheaper to obtain than a logic board, but lets just say that it wasnt that and there is a problem with the logic board, can I buy a "9.5 mm SATA Optical Bay SATA Hard Drive Enclosure" to place the hard drive and boot from it? When I went into Disk Utility it did detected the DVD drive, so I know that portion of the logic board works fine. I don't use or need the DVD drive, and wondering if I can do this, it cost less than buying a logic board.
Please let me know if this is possible, Thanks in advance.

Well logic board seems faulty from the connecting point of the hard drive but not from the optical drive. Optical drive is detected by the Disk Utility, but not the hard drive, and thats why I was thinking of using the optical bay to run the machine.

I have been trying to get my ibook g4 fixed from apple for 6 years now. my ram doesnt work and the logic board is f'd up aswell... i know 12 people that have had the same issue. 4 of them got there ibooks replaced. anyone know what to do?

i have been trying to get my ibook g4 fixed from apple for 6 years now. my ram doesnt work and the logic board is f'd up aswell... i know 12 people that have had the same issue. 4 of them got there ibooks replaced. anyone know what to do? all 4 ibooks were replaced outside warranty, why wont apple help me...

Apple supports most of their computer products for a 7 year period, could be that your IBook is well past any kind of help.Secondly parts are no longer being made for this machine and never will be again. Finally I find it hard to believe that nothing has been done with this for 6 years.Have you documented the reasons why you were turned down for repairs ? were the replaced Ibooks within a couple of months of warranty expiration? What model is your IBook ? At least if we knew what the model #, some of the more techy types could find out if there were any repair programs for your model.
Seems odd that you'd hang on to a non-working IBook for that long.

Replace 1.2GHz iBook G4 14" Logic Board with 1.42GHz?

Hi everybody!
I have an almost 2 years old iBook G4 14" 1.2GHz. Or better said - had. The logic board died some weeks ago.
My main point here is to find out if I can replace the faulty Logic Board with something faster, i.e. 1.33 or 1.42 GHz. I have heard some rummours that the cooling systems are a bit different and I am affraid that a faster Logic Board won't fit.
Any suggestions? I would appreciate all comments on the topic.
I also wonder if anybody else has seen the same Logic Board problem. Strangely enough, it shows the symptoms of a dead fan, even though the cooling system is passive, i.e. whe the computer is cool it may even boot the system and let me log in, while when it's already warm, it dies in the middle of the startup.
If I boot the machine in target disk mode, it may run for days. Sometimes though, it may show some video problems: after being operational for some time, the FireWire symbol may freeze. I've noticed, that if I bend the bottom of the iBook a bit the symbol may start going again. Sometimes the display may go completely black. If, in that case, I bend the bottom a bit, a strange video-check-like sequence starts, i.e. going through black, white, red, green, blue and some patterns. At the end of the sequence the FireWire image may be restored.
I have checked all detachable components, i.e. extra RAM and AirPort and I am sure that they work perfectly. It is also worth noting, that the laptop may work several days in single user mode.
Thanks in advance for all comments!
Ventzi

Well, that's exactly what I thought first, but we are talking about an iBook here. That meens, that the 'video card' is actually only a chip soldered on the logic board and the fan turns on only when the computer has reached around 65-70°C.
And I cannot say that it boots OS X...
If the laptop is cold, i.e. has been off for a while, it may boot as far as the login screen. If I then log in, it will halt while still loading the menus.
If the laptop is already warm, e.g. booting it for a second time, it won't even get to the login screen. Usually it halts right after changing the grey screen to a blue one.
And this is NOT a software problem – I experience the same behaviour when booting from the installation DVD.
Interestingly engough, though, the laptop can run for days without any problems if started in single user mode (the text interface) or in target disk mode...
I've taken it all apart and I am certain, that the preriferal devices work.
About the AHT. If the computer is cold, the Extended AHT will pass without any problems. I the computer is warm, on the other hand, AHT will either not load at all, or will halt at some point without any error message...
Thanks for the help!
I hope that we can resolve this issue.

Logic Board Problem on 1.2Ghz G4 iBook?

My G4 iBook (14inch, 1.2 Ghz) has been giving me problems in the last two weeks.
At first I thought it had something to do with the latest update to OS X 10.4.11, but after doing an archive and install and checking things out with Disk Warrior, I'm thinking it's the logic board.
The main problem is that the machine has a tendency to freeze while I'm working with it. Sometimes it happens when I'm just doing work with Word or Appleworks. Sometimes it happens when I'm trying to access an electronic gradebook where I teach. It DEFINITELY freezes when I attempt to pick up the machine from the lower left corner where the hard drive is located.
I thought it might be a hard drive issue, so I actually replaced it, but the problem of freezing remains.
The freezing is weird, however. What happens is that the cursor can move around on the screen, but that's all that works. I can't access any menus or anything on the dock. At times the dock will freeze in middle of enlarging as the cursor passes over it.
After doing some research, it seems that this might be a logic board issue.
My machine isn't under warranty since I bought it secondhand off eBay and I've been using it quite a bit for the last year with no problems whatsoever. Is there a fix to this or am I going to have to replace the logic board? I'm seeing prices that are running in the $350 - $500 range.

Actually, there are a couple of things you can do that cost a lot less than a new logic board.
First of all, run the Apple Hardware Test to verify that all of your chips are OK. They probably are.
What is probably wrong is that the ball grid arrays that holds the chips to the logic board have started to fail. This will cause freezing, particularly as the board heats up.
The cheapest thing to do is to make and install some home made shims which press on the chips and enable them to make better contact with the logic board. Here is a site which shows how to do this:
ibookG4 logic board fix:
http://www.coreyarnold.org/ibook/
However, there is also a more permanent solution, which is to send the logic board to a specialist to be reballed. I did this recently, and I can highly recommend the following specialist:
http://www.superiorreball.com/
The cost to reball my iBook logic board was just $75.
You will have to remove the logic board and send it off, but since you already replaced the hard drive, you probably are already familiar with the ifixit site.
Good luck!

Ibook g4 logic board work around?

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