IBook logic board - Apple service - kinda long, sorry

I am a converted PC user who got my iBook in September 2002 because, frankly, I was tired of dealing with the poor performance, terrible service, and general glitchiness of my old pc's. So a few of my friends encouraged me to try out a Mac. So I did and I fell in love with how it just seemed to work!
I've had my iBook for just over 3 years, and have had a good amount of problems. It occasionally would boot up to the sad face and I'd have to go through the whole process of reinstalling the OS while on the phone with AppleCare. This past summer, I sent the computer back to Apple because it locked up constantly and the hard drive started clicking. After about a month of sending it back and forth, they finally acknowledged that there was a problem with the hard drive (as if the loud clicking wasn't enough) and replaced it.
Ever since then, things have been ok, but glitchy. The screen would freeze, when you opened the notebook up, it would be on a blank screen, etc. Then earlier this week, it started showing lines through the screen, and it would lock up. Upon restart, it would restart with a blank screen. I thought it was a gonner.
So I looked online to try to diagnose my symptoms, and low and behold, I think I know what's wrong. The iBook logic board description on http://www.apple.com/support/ibook/faq/ explained my sympoms exactly. So I spent an hour on the phone with customer service yesterday trying to figure out if they'll fix this. And alas, they said despite the fact that the logic board may have been failing after the July repair and despite that I've just barely exceeded the 3 year limitation for the logic board repair, they will not repair this unless I pay for it. The quote he gave me was almost enough to buy another computer.
So here I am, a guy who came to Apple for a quality product, Apple acknowledges that the logic board they installed in my computer is less than top-quality, but they refuse to replace this inferior component because of an arbitrary 90 day warranty on repairs performed in 90 days and an arbitrary 3 year from purchase date repair on the logic board.
I'm the first one to admit, they don't HAVE to do anything. I just think it's a sad state of affairs when a company that relies so heavily on a fan base, would slap a newly converted fan in the face on his maiden voyage with a Mac. I expected more from this company. If I wanted cheap junk parts in my laptop that would've only lasted 3 years, I would've bought a PC. The PC is cheaper anyway.
Now I sit with a useless shell of a computer at home and try to decide what I want to replace it with. I have to say, I love OS X, I love the simplicity, I love the security, but I'm going to find it very hard to justify it to myself and my wife to buy another Mac. I think this converted PC guy is headed back to a PC where at least you get what you pay for.
Nick Golden
G3 iBook Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Hi, Nick. Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Are you willing to try again? Call Apple again, and this time, ask for Customer Relations. Tell them your story and ask them to make an exception to the three-year rule in your case.
Customer Relations likes Switchers, and they are the ones with the authority to make an exception to the rule.
No guarantees, but they just might do it for you, especially if you plead with them, "Please, please, don't send me back to Windows!"
Usually, I advise people not to threaten to go to Windows, because why should they help you if they think they've lost you as a customer? But, in your case, it's a little different.
Personally, I would have to have about four Macs in a row go belly up before I would look to Windows, and, even then, I might just give up computers all together and rely on pencil and paper if I had to deal with Windows.
Good luck. Let us know how things go.

Similar Messages

Getting New iBook Logic Board -- help? :)

Well I wasn't sure which forum to post this in, so I also put it in the 'Peripherals' forum.
Ok, here is my problem. I bought a G4 iBook 1.07ghz with a bad logic board from someone on craigslist. I am wanting to put a G4 1.33ghz logic board in it now. I found one on pbfixit.com for $550, but I also spoke with someone on ebay that said he thinks he has some 1.33's laying around. I am wanting a logic board with the two-finger-scrolling and the 'shock detection' features; also Bluetooth2.0edr and Airport Extreme. Well I asked the guy on eBay if he knew if his 1.33 boards had these features or not and he wasn't sure. Is there something he can check (model number/serial number/something physically on the board/etc) to see if he has any of the boards that's new enough to have these features? I'm not as worried about the Bluetooth+Airport Extreme because I found a module board on pbfixit with both of these in one.
Thanks!
-matt

Hi, abburke. Welcome to Apple Discussions.
(I have lots of Burke cousins, since my cousin in Wichita had six sons.)
If the iBook is circa 2001 like the iPod, chances are that's the reason the tech says you're out of luck. There's a three-year limit on the program.
Enough dual USB G3 iBooks suffered from this problem that Apple began the iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program in January of 2004. Check out the FAQ page and if the symptoms look familiar, give Apple a call. If your iBook qualifies, it's a free fix.
If you are past the three-year time limit, try calling and asking for Customer Relations. Ask them to please make an exception to the three-year limit in your case. They have been making some exceptions to the three-year rule, but the criteria upon which they make an exception is not public knowledge. It could be how nice you are to them on the phone; it could be which tech you get; it could be which side of the bed the tech got out of on the morning that you call.
Good luck!

Should I repair an Ibook logic board

I can have a 12 inch ibook 1.2ghz if I pay to repair it. It was just 14 months old, had been treated with great respect, when the logic board failed. Needless to say its owner had not purchased any extended warranty. Its owner purchased a new macbook and put the ibook in a drawer because he decided it was not worth the repair. I would use this ibook to replace my old Powerbook 3400c that died finally. I see on the forums that logic board failure is a problem with ibooks and that many people replace one only to have it fail. My question is whether it is worth replacing this ibook logic board? Is there a generic problem with the reliability of these logic boards, so that subsequent failure is a hit or miss thing? Or does their failure result from other factors so that an ibook that has one logic board fail may have an underlying cause that will lead to subsequent failures? Is this computer worth saving?

I see on the forums that logic board failure is a problem with ibooks and that many people replace one only to have it fail.Although there have been some failures the absolute majority of iBook G4 users have not had any type of logic board failure.
Is there a generic problem with the reliability of these logic boards...
No
Is this computer worth saving?
You will need to look at the cost of replacing the logic board versus buying a new/refurbished iBook G4 or new MacBook.

Apple store replaced logic board backlit keys no longer work

So about a week ago I had to have the logic board replaced because airport would connect only half the time. The apple store did fix the problem, but only one more thing, the backlit keyboard no longer is recongnized, its like the employees didnt plug it back up, my main question is is that I have to have the laptop for school, how long would it take the apple store to fix or if its simple could I fix myself.

I would make another genius bar appointment, they could do it while you wait in the store. I understand this is the preferred policy now at the genius bar to prevent them from taking in all sorts of machines. If they are busy they will have to make the repair after hours when the store closes. They will usually quote something like 1-3 business days but in my experience it has usually been 1-2 days.

Will a 14" iBook Logic board fit inside a 12" iBook?

I've seen pictures of the logic boards on various retailer sites, and want to upgrade my 1.0GHz 12" to as fast as possible. I was thinking about the 1.33 GHz 12" but if the 1.42GHz 14" fits then that would be pretty sweet... does anybody have any insight on this?

"I really don't think it's worth the bother....just get a 12" one."
Whether or not it is "worth the bother" is soley a matter of what you consider a bother. To some, and I suspect this of the OP, it is very rewarding to do repairs and modifications, and particularliry mods that have not been done before. I say kudos to the OP for trying. It may be cheaper to buy a used 1.33GHz ibook but doing his proposed mod, whether he is successful or not, will make him a little better off than the "can't do's".
In fact, on this forum all I ever read is "have it looked at" or "send it to Apple" or "it is not user replaceable" etc. Nobody here ever seems to entertain the concept of actually doing something for him/herself.

Where can I find my MBP's logic board Apple ID?

Hi everyone,
Just out of curiosity, and in case my 2006 MacBook Pro should decide to send another logic board to electronic equipment heaven, I'd like to know how/where to get the Apple ID for the logic board that's installed on it, with the following two provisions (bear with here, OK?):
1) I don't want to have to open my MBP (been there, done that, can still feel the sweat under my armpits); and
2) I don't want to invest even the minimum amount of money in the operation.
I suppose there's a way to know which kind of logic board (ie, its Apple ID) is installed in my machine. I just don't know how...

OK, thanks, that must be it, I guess. I can't see any trace of another ID anyway. By the way, do you know how come I've got two Ethernet cards listed in my System Profiler?

Ibook logic board issue?

I just ran the hardware test on my ibook G4 and it came up with an error code
2GMC/2/15: built in
Then I ran it again and it came up fine. Any ideas?
Thansk!

Hi Matthew,
That is very interesting, I can't say anything except it is possible that Apple might want you to replace your logic board. Anything strange going on with your computer? Any problems? Anything that might have to do with Ethernet, FireWire, USB, or anything like that?
Jon

EMac Logic Board, Apple Comes Through!!!

Apple called me soon after emailing re: bad capacitors in logic board.
Apple store experience & service was excellent (Sherman Oaks, CA).
They replaced logic board at no charge (about 1 1/2 weeks).
I'm so happy to have full function back.
Thanks Apple, for recognizing & correcting the eMac/capacitor issue.
eMac Mac OS X (10.3.9) 1.25 ghz, 1 gig RAM

Deafkey,
Have you tried booting from your OS X INstall disc to run Repair Disk, as described in Using Disk Utility and fsck?
Will the Mac Start Up in Safe Mode? How about if you reset PRAM first (by pressing the power button, then immediately pressing and holding command-option-p-r untill you hear three sets of chimes, then releasing the keys?

G4 iBook - logic board replacement

I have a 12" 1.25ghz G4 iBook w/ dual usb that I picked up recently that has a fried logicboard - as the 1.25ghz logicboard replacement parts I've priced are frankly a bit expensive, is it possible to use a 12" G4 logicboard of a lesser speed, and if so, which would work and which would not?

psignosis:
Take a look at these substitutions suggested by PowerBookTech:
1.33 GHz for 1.2 GHz
800 MHz for 1.2 GHz
You may want to contact PowerBookTech and check out the feasibility. You can also check out prices elsewhere, once you have determined it can be done.
cornelius

What Logic Board fits an iBook G3 900 mhz?

Hi!
I have an iBook G3 12" 900mhz with a bad logic board. I'm planning to replace it. Can I fit all kinds of dual USB iBook Logic Boards in there?
Cheers!

What are the symptoms?
You may know that enough Dual USB G3 iBooks suffered from the logic board problem that Apple began the iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program in January of 2004. Check out the FAQ page and if the symptoms look familiar, give Apple a call. If the iBook qualifies, it's a free fix.
You can find the original purchase date of the iBook, by entering its serial number into the box toward the bottom right of Apple's main support page under "About Your Support Coverage."
If it is past the three-year time limit (which it probably is), try calling Apple and ask for Customer Relations (NOT Customer Service--they can't help you) and ask them to please make an exception to the three-year limit in your case.
If the answer from Apple is absolutely, positively, "NO!" and the symptoms are those of the classic logic board failure described on the FAQ page, you may want to consider trying the shim fix suggested by John Sawyer in the Apple Discussions iBook G3 (Dual USB) Displays Forum:
[Y]ou can often fix this yourself by removing the iBook's bottom housing, and placing a shim of any sort, about 1mm to 1.5mm thick, onto the raised square on the bottom shield. I use a Scotch mounting square--you can get them in hardware stores and many grocery stores. When you reinstall the bottom case, it will press against this shim, which will press against the graphics chip, and may allow the chip to come into better contact with the logic board.
John Sawyer
CJS Macintosh Repair
Instructions for removing the lower case:
iFixit.com
Good luck.

Has anyone ever installed a G4 logic board into a G3 iBook?

I was just wondering if it was at all possible to install a G4 logic board in a G3 iBook. To be specific, I have an iBook G3 900MHz with a faulty logic board. I could have it replaced under the Apple Logic Board Replacement Program, but I'd hate to replace a bad part with a part that will most likely go bad in the future. Also, trying to find an affordable (in the $100 range) replacement logic board on eBay or anywhere else is proving impossible.
So, could I buy a 1GHz or similar G4 logic board and swap it into the G3 iBook? I'm sure someone out there has tried something like this, right?
I'm intrigued by the possability.

I doubt it. They don't even take the same kind of RAM.
What makes you think a replacement "will most likely go bad in the future"? Some have had to go back more than once; many haven't. (And many have not gone in at all.) There are many iBook users out there, happily iBooking away without any knowledge of the iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program because they've never had a problem.
Get it replaced, free, NOW, and worry about the future when it gets here.
http://www.apple.com/support/ibook/faq/
P.S. When you make an error in a post, there is a little edit-pencil icon next to the "Reply" icon in your post. The edit pencil stays there for about 15 minutes to allow you to edit your post. Just click on it, and it takes you back to your message box so you can edit it to your heart's content.

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!

IMac G5 (2004) logic board and the repair extension program

Hi,
I know that there are tons of topics about logic board/power supply troubles witht the first generation G5s, and I'm sorry to start yet another new thread, but I still have some questions about this issue.
I have a first generation iMac G5. Long story short...when I first got it the computer would shut itself off sometimes after I had put it to sleep. When I would try to restart nothing would happen, but usually letting it sit unplugged a while would solve the problem (occasionally when I'd restart a different start up noise would sound and the white light would flash quickly). It happened so randomly, that I just lived with it, blaming the problem on my dorm network, or a power failure. A few days ago I tried to start the computer up and nothing happened (just a VERY faint sound like a clicking or ticking or intermitant humming...definatly electrical sounding). I unplugged it overnight, but the next day still nothing. I decided to go through the troubleshooting steps Apple lists online. The internal power button could not start it up and the second LED does not flash, which according to Apple means the logic board needs replacing. Luckily my serial # is covered by the Repair Extension Program, and I'm bringing my computer in tomorrow morning to be fixed (just in time for back to school).
I have become concerned, while browsing the discussion topics, that this fix may not be permenant. I've read a few posts that claim that they are on their third Logic Boards, and this kind of scares me. My parents bought me the computer (our family's first ever Mac) and did not purchase the AppleCare extended warranty (they had heard how reliable Macs were...hmmm.) I didn't even know that I could purchase AppleCare after-the-fact until it was several months after my 1yr warranty expired. I do appreciate the fact that Apple recognized what seems to be a common problem with this generation of iMacs, but I wonder why they did not contact the owners of these machines to let them know that the problem and repair extension even existed.
So I guess my real question is...Does anyone know if, after this repair Apple will replace the logic board if it dies again? Is there a limit to the number of qualified repairs you can get through this Repair Extension program? Also is there any other Extended warranty type thing I can purchase after my 1yr. warranty is up.
Sorry the post is so long...I'm just scared about the fate of my beloved Mac.
iMac G5 (2004) Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Oh man, am I actually relieved reading this thread. Just took my baby (iMac G5 first generation) in for repairs today, not knowing what was wrong with it. Luckily my serial numbers are in the range, so I'm crossing my fingers that they're going to cover this.
Brief synopsis of what happened, in case it differs from anyone else's
About a month ago, my iMac started to not wake up from sleep mode. Instead of waking up, it would just shut itself off. This continued for about 2 months, with me thinking nothing of it. Then, instead of shutting itself off, the computer would restart when I attempted to put it to sleep.
Then, last night, I was surfing the net and all of a sudden the power just failed. No noise, no "grey screen", we're talking like a millisecond later the screen was black. I treid unplugging the machine and then plugging it back in while simultaneously holding the power button to reset the PSU and still nothing. At that point it was about 1:30 in the morning, so I just went to bed not wanting to deal with it until the next day. By the time I woke up, there was a distinct smell of electrical components burning (in grade 8 shop class we used to hook up resistors to the voltage generator and crank the juice up until they fried when teach wasn't around, so I distinctly remembered the acrid stench :P)
I opened the back up and did the LED check, and #2 wouldn't even blink. So I took it in and they said they'd have to get back to me and that's where I stand now.
The thing that concerns me is that if some of the components fried that there may be possible damage to the motherboard etc. Luckily I'm not too worried about the hard drive because it did still boot up and all. People that have experience with this, what usually happens with files on your HD after a logic board replacement? Are they usually fine?
The other thing that concerns me is that apple has made no effort to contact me, and it will be 2 years after the purchasing date come November 1, 2006. I'm lucky that I caught this now before it was too late.

Dead for no apparent reason - logic board AGAIN?

So last night, after I had installed all my software updates and restarted successfully, I decided to pop in a new airport card b/c mine had been giving me trouble (and I wanted to find out whther it was the card or the logic board that was failing)
Well. I found out. The thing successfully shut down without a problem, and replaced the card without a problem, plugged it in. hit the power button. nothing. nothing nothing.
not even a hum or a chatter.
I've been poking through the discussions here, and I understand that this is likely a logic board failure.
I've already had my logic board replaced, twice I think. The funny thing is that my poor 'book worked for 3 yrs. without issue and now it's been failing close to once a year.
I'm kind of at a loss as for what to do, I really can't afford to keep getting it fixed like this! Also, I have two exams this week, and yup, of course I take all of my notes on my laptop. Distressing, to say the least.
Well at least that was cathartic.
ibook G3 Mac OS X (10.4.7) there's no option for 10.4.8.... also, dead.

If it's the recognized logic board failure, it will usually start up at least. You may have to wait overnight for it to start up again. I did on two of my three logic board failures.
You may know that enough Dual USB G3 iBooks suffered from this problem that Apple began the iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program in January of 2004. Check out the FAQ page and if the symptoms look familiar, give Apple a call. If your iBook qualifies, it's a free fix.
If you are past the three-year time limit, try calling (800) 767-2775 and ask for Customer Relations (NOT Customer Service--they can't help you) and ask them to please make an exception to the three-year limit in your case.
If the answer from Apple is absolutely, positively, "NO!" DT & T Computer Services in Fremont, California offers the cheapest repair I've found. They have a six-month warranty on the repair.
Good luck!

Erasing data after logic board failure

Greetings All,
The logic board on my ibook died a few months ago instead of fixing it I just had my local Apple repair store recover the data. Now, I'm wondering if the data was erased or is it still there? Is there a way to erase the hard drive before I toss it or sell it for parts, etc?
Thanks...
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

I have had my logic board repaired three times, and each time it came back with the data intact.
Apple began the iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program in January of 2004. Did you check out getting the free fix? Even if it's past the three-year time limit, some exceptions to the three-year rule are being made, if you're interested in having it repaired (possibly for free). Some have been having success at the Apple Store, but more frequently exceptions are made by calling Apple at (800) 767-2775 and ask for Customer Relations (NOT Customer Service--they usually can't help you).
As for removing data from the hard drive, sometimes if you have access to another Mac with FireWire, you may be able to get the iBook to remain responsive in FireWire Target Disk Mode so you can erase your data by this method:
If the iBook is on, shut it down and wait 30 seconds (or longer). Pick it up in your left palm to the left of the trackpad and squeeze the case there between your palm and left thumb as you push the power button and key combination to start up in FireWire Target Disk Mode. Do not let up the pressure on the case. Continue applying this pressure as you erase your data through access from the other Mac. If you let up and the iBook dies or freezes, you will have to start over, allowing it to rest several hours or overnight before beginning again.
It is possible that you may be able to use the "squeeze technique" to use the iBook itself long enough to delete your data.
Keep in mind that the only completely secure data removal is via destruction of the hard drive, although security agencies of the federal government consider seven passes of writing zeroes on the hard drive as secure. Most (but certainly not all) people and firms do not have the facilities to recover data if it is deleted by securely emptying the trash.

IBook logic board - Apple service - kinda long, sorry

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