My PowerBook 17"/1.67Ghz died ...

Hello everyone,
I have purchased a new PowerBook 17"/1,67Ghz on March 2005
at an Apple Retail Store here in Germany (www.cyberport.de).
My PowerBook just died two weeks ago after I have made a clean installation of MacOS X 10.4.3. (MacOS X 10.4 installation from the DVD + Combo Updater 10.4.3). After a restart my PowerBook just died completely.
- Entire black screen
- No reactions at all on keyboard strokes and trackpad input
- The battery did no longer charge at all. Only the first
LED did blink on the battery. (Low battery). Strange even though the power adapter was pluged-in for the entire day.
- The PowerBook did not start at all without the power adapter.
- When I tried to restart my PowerBook with the power adapter pluged-in, the internal fans started to blow at full speed.
- No startup sound, only a black screen and the blowing fans running at max. speed
- No possibility to reset the PRAM
- No possibility to restart from a CD
- No power-adapter, no reactions at all
- I have noticed that my PowerBook was quite hot after I have noticed the black screen after a self-restart.
I have called the technical support at my Apple Retail Store here in Germany (www.cyberport.de). The technical support team told me that the logic-board might me damaged.
Since my one-year-garanty is still valid, I have sent my
damaged Apple !7" PowerBook back to my Apple Retail Store (www.cyberport.de).
This is two weeks ago now. I called the Apple Retail Store today. They informed me that they are still waiting for the main logic board from Apple. Last week, however, they told me that the logic board should arrive on Thuesday last week.
So, I assume this hardware failure is going to cost me another precious week.
I am wondering. Has anyone else made similar bad experiences with an Apple 17" PowerBook 1.6Ghz?
Another question I have. During the last months I have noticed a really high and annoying sizzle tone each time I have installed software on my PowerBook or copied some files over the internal LAN. Has anyone else here on this discussion board noticed similar negative side effects?
graphically & sincerely,
Marc Klein
Pixel:Industries
Apple PowerBook 17"/1.67Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Logic board issues are not frequent, but they do happen. Somethings you can do to prevent them I've listed on this User Tip:
http://discussions.apple.com/click.jspa?searchID=-1&messageID=607445
While it was written to address iBooks, many of the items apply to Powerbooks too. In addition many people find Powerbooks don't get their fans going off as frequently, if they let air circulate underneath. A clean dry metal cookie tray is a good way to do this. There are also many accessories you can buy to either cool by fan ventilation or just simple raising the computer on a podium. I had an iCurve though, and its rubber pads wore away. So I'd get something else if you decide to get something.

Similar Messages

What is the correct part number for the LCD inverter board for an A1138 15" powerBook G4 ( 1.67GHz superdrive/ Hi-res)?

What is the correct part number for the LCD inverter board for an A1138 15" PowerBook G4 ( 1.67GHz superdrive/ Hi-res model)?

Hello,
Part number 614-0305-A
Hope this helps.

Powerbook G4 1.67GHz 2GB ram ... HUGE performance issues

Hardware:
17" Powerbook G4 1.67GHz with 2GB ram
System:
10.5.4 Leopard
*Ever since i upgraded to Leopard, i have noticed tremendous latency / pinwheel issues in many areas such as:*
1. Switching between running applications hangs up sometimes as long as 15 seconds
2. Video playback in quicktime is choppy
3. Various programs take a tremendous amount of time to open
4. Opening relatively small illustrator and or photoshop files pinwheels for unusually long time
5. Opening finder windows unusually slow
One of the MOST frustrating of all issues:
6. Powerbook heats up rather quickly... gets very hot and the fans have NEVER come on... VERY frustrating, since i would have no problem with noise if it meant better performance...
_*Overall, the entire computer feels VERY sluggish*_
i have tried clean installs, as well as regular maintenance... and upgraded my RAM to the max of 2GB
Is there anything else i can do? Anyone else having similar problems and or know the best way to repair?
DESPERATE for a solution here... while i realize the G4 can only handle so much, i just feel like it cant possibly be this slow under leopard... or can it?!
*ANY HELP AT ALL greatly appreciated...*
Best,
Mike
+Mac user since 1989+

Hi,
Just to chime in, I am running a PB G4 1.67, and I am running Leopard (10.5.4) on it just fine. In fact, I am *more than* pleased with the fantastic performance. I am a very very heavy user (enterprise software developer permanently running 101 things simultaneously on his machine) and I have no problems.
First of all, try to figure out what is chomping performance. Is it CPU? Fire up activity monitor, go to the CPU tab, list "all processes" and order by CPU usage. See if a process is swamping your CPU. Until I let it run overnight to index my 250Gb drive, the Spotlight indexing engine (mds) was eating all my CPU. Thereafter, it's fine. Or you can disable it.
So yeah - let's first figure out what is causing your CPU to over-work (and hence, your machine in general to heat up, they do get hot, especially in hot climates) and work from there. No reason to suspect hardware failure yet...

Can I put new hardware into my Powerbook g4 1.67ghz

Hi Everyone,
I have a powerbook g4 1.67ghz, its a 15 inch model. Would it be possible to open up the laptop and remove all the old hardware and put in new hardware like a intel processor so I can run modern software like osx lion.
Thanks

Hello,
This is not possible to do. Your PowerBook has a different frame to that of a MacBook pro.
The Logic Board wouldn't fit correctly and any ribbon cables to the screen would differ.
They may look simalar on the outside, but they do differ internally.
If it was possible, like Niel has said, it would be much cheaper to just buy a used MacBook pro 15"

How to upgrade PowerBook G4 1.67Ghz to 10.5.8?

So I just bought the last PowerBook model made, the awesome 1.67Ghz with 128mb vram, bluetooth, airport extreme, ect. I bought it for $75 and when I got it OS 10.5.1 was installed. I decided to update it to the latest version of leopard. When I try installing through the upater, it just freezes right away. Then I tried downloading it not through the updater and installing it that way, but that didn't work either. It got stuck at the same screen. So I am wondering what I have to do to get this thing running 10.5.8??? I have heard this is a common problem with this model. Should I install an earlier update like 10.5.6 and then try going to 10.5.8? Also, the laptop will freeze up often. It stays cool with the fan I bought for it, yet it still does it. Should I run disk utility to check the HDD? Other than that the machine is in pretty good condition. Just put 2GB of ram in it! Help is appreciated!

The Combo update for Leopard 10.5.8 should be all you'd need to update
an OS X 10.5.x from any step to the last update step; as that had been
a consolidated Combo to include earlier fixes & patches. Then, after a
Combo update, restart, repair disk permissions in Disk Utility, than then
run Software Update again.
Two things, one is: compatible quality RAM tested on Mac computers
and specificially for Macs running OS X. Secondly: hard disk drive free
or unused capacity, since OS X in a PowerPC relies on Virtual memory
that's free space used as swap file temporary read-write system memory.
Sometimes, the applications + OS X need more RAM than is physically
possible to install; and it may not use what it has efficiently.
•Problems from insufficient RAM & free HDD space:
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/lackofram.html
•Freeing space on your Mac OS X startup disk:
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/freeingspace.html
This is slow enough, so if the hard drive has little free space and not
necessarily in a large block, the OS X has to hunt and find the scattered
places it can use to write temporary VM files to. At hard drive rates of
speed, so that is also slow.
•Mac Performance guide - thesafemac:
http://www.thesafemac.com/mpg/
•The X Lab: X-FAQs:
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/faqs.html
Do you have an externally enclosed hard drive in FW400/800 case, with
its own power supply? With oxford-type chipset... suitable for OS X clones?
You could clone the system to an external, if you may want whatever is on it,
then be sure it is a bootable clone by starting up the Mac from it; then go in
and erase/install (over-write drive at least 7-pass) to test the HDD and see if
it really should not be replaced with a new one. HDDs fail after a shorter time
span in a portable, than a desktop. Yet new models can fail in short order.
If temped to try an SSD, see what OWC has in the way of Legacy SSDs for
older portables, as they are most compatible with the hard drive data rate
and the ATA/IDE (PATA) specification. Certain rules tend to apply to using
a solid state drive, instead of a platter & styli hard disk drive.
Hopefully if you have the original grey-label install-restore disc DVD set,
you could run the Apple Hardware Test on the bootable disc, to see if
there is any hardware reason why it could be acting up.
Check to see if there are any "previous system" folders in the Mac,
since they can't be used to run it, but they do take up space... Trash
old previous user-created content, but not system parts, if the HDD
capacity is near too-full. See the link above about freeing space.
Checking Console (utility) for Clues:
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/checkconsole.html
Not sure what else to say...

Hard drive updrade on powerbook g4 1.67ghz (DL superdrive model...)

Hi Guys,
It's that time of year again and after successfully adding 3x250 HDDs to my PowerMac G5, I am now considering upgrading my 1.67GHz 15" PowerBook g4. (Dual Layer Superdrive model.)
I already have it maxed at 2GB of RAM.
I have the 80GB HDD in at present, and am capable of the upgrade, just what to put in is what I am struggling at.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132386/showproductspecifications?spectype=extended
Would that fit in and work? (2.5" ATA-100)
If not a suitable alternative please? (UK based)
Also, anything else you would recommend for this model of PowerBook? Apart from that its a sweeet machine and I run Adobe CS4 with Leopard on it quite happily.
Thanks in Advance.

Hi, Daniel. Yes, that drive would work well, and it's the only one of its size on the market. So if you want a drive larger than 160GB, your choice is made.
There have been quite a few posts in these forums from other people who have installed that drive in Powerbooks and been very satisfied with it.

PowerBook 15in 1.67GHz Aluminum showing only white screen.

Hi, My PowerBook 15-inch 1.67GHz froze when I left it for a half an houre while charging, then it does not start up at all while the screen stays blank dead white after it's first normal chime. If I insert a CD/DVD, it will not respond, all functions have gone completely dead.This happend while I was in France, there, the electricity current drops (lights go dimm) if another appliance is swithced-on. I am wondering if the surge burnt someting in the PB? BTW, the PB never had any problem. Should I change the logic board or could I change the graphic card? Can you help?? Many thanks
PowerBook G4 15in Aluminium. Mac OS X (10.4) showing white screen only.

Hi Looule,
That is funny, all day yesterday I was trying to reset the PRAM after a tip-off on the net, and managed to get it working, but to my surprise it kept on going to the same old mood as a complete white screen and coming back to normal after resetting, finally can't get it to work any more, however, one time when it was working, I tried to insert the Tiger DVD for installation but it would not let me to push the DVD in (dead). Could it be the internal battery? Don't want to spend money if not sure. Many thanks

Mac OS X 10.5.6 Install on PowerBook G4 1.67ghz 512MB

I just purchased Mac OS X 10.5.6 Leopard to upgrade my PowerBook G4 which until now has been running 10.4.11 Tiger with no problems.
When I completed the Leopard install, everything worked. I then upgraded to Leopard 10.5.8 and when I tried to log on with my user name and password the system says there is a problem with File Vault would I like to fix, click OK or Cancel to log on with another user name (I'm the only user). After I click OK, the system goes back to the log on screen and I'm not able to log in.
I contacted Apple this morning and while Ron was very helpful (We checked the Macintosh HD with Disk Utilities, no errors). The HD is 74.5GB and there is currently 44GB free. Apple had no solution but take it to an Apple Store and pay $$$ to fix (At that point, I'd just buy a new one, but this computer has been flawless and I really don't want to part with it).
Frustration is that I've just bought new battery and spent $157.00 on Leopard and now my computer is useless. I pray that someone has a simple fix for this. I noticed that my password is 9 characters and I thought I read something about when migrating from Tiger to Leopard, password should not be more than 8 characters.
Thanks for all of your assistance!
Todd Citron

System Upgrade and Installation Procedure
Basic Caveats
1. Disconnect all peripherals except the original mouse and keyboard.
2. Quit all applications if this is not an installation from an Installer DVD.
3. The installation process should not be interrupted. If a power outage or other interruption occurs during installation you may have to erase the hard drive and reinstall from scratch.
4. Once the installation begins do not use the computer in any way except to reply to dialog prompts or to restart when the installation is completed. This is especially critical during the installation stage known as "Optimizing the System."
System Update Procedure
A. Repair hard drive and permissions.
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger or Leopard.) After DU loads select your OS X volume from the list on the left, click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.1 for Leopard) and/or TechTool Pro (4.6.2 for Leopard) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X. Note that Disk Warrior will not work on Intel Macs.
B. Clone your existing system to an external Firewire drive.
How to Clone Using Restore Option of Disk Utility
1. Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
2. Select the startup or source volume from the left side list.
3. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
4. Drag the startup or source volume to the Source entry field.
5. Select the backup or destination volume from the leftside list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
6. Check the box to Erase Destination. Skip this step if you've already formatted the drive.
7. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
C. Decide upon an installation option.
You have three upgrade options. If you use the Upgrade installation option be sure you have repaired the hard drive and permissions first and made your backup. If you choose the Archive and Install option then you only need to repair the hard drive.
Neither of the above options will erase the disk. Some of your software may not work with a new system. You will need to upgrade those programs. It would be best to do the upgrades to your software before upgrading to the new system version.
Message was edited by: Kappy

PowerBook 15" 1.67GHz won't turn on (please read for info)

Hello,
Today I tried to replace my Harddrive from 100GB to a 250GB,
I found a tutorial on ifixit.com and followed there instructions to take apart my powerbook, anyway while I was taking apart my computer I accidentally stripped the screw that holds the HD bracket in place so I was unable to replace the HD I put the computer back together with original HD in place and tried to boot up computer it booted but showed me a finder folder with a question mark what usally means that HD is not found and so I thought that I didn't properly connect the HD to motherboard so I reopened my powerbook and made sure that the connection was ok when I tried to boot up the computer after putting it together a second time it would not turn on, I washed my hands to make sure that there was no static eletricity, when I plug in the AC adapter it won't show light unless I move the adapter around abit then it shows orange light before I didnt even have to move the ac adapter it would turn on after I plug it in, I tried PMU and tried resetting PRAM and nothing any idea"s ?
Thanks,
Phil

Yes that could be a reason but that would not explain why my power adapter would not show any color at all when pluged into my computer
it only shows color when I adjust the adpter to touch the outer ring of socket on powerbook which usally means that battery is only charging and not powering on computer
I will let apple technition look at it but for the mean while can anyone else give some more ideas as to what the problem could be ?
thanks,
phil

PowerBook G4 1.67GHz Won't Boot, Doesn't Get Past the Grey Screen

The other day I was attempting to Safe Boot, and during the grey screen with the rotating cog, I could hear the hard drive spin down, the the display would turn off. The computer worked fine for the next few days, and now when I attempt to boot it (with nothing in the disc drive as well), it does the same thing. It simply shuts down before getting to the "Log In" screen.
When I used the Tiger install disc (note that it was a Tiger disc that came with our iMac Core 2 Duo, my other disc is at my parents' house), and held the C key while booting, I experienced my first kernel panic. I restarted and ejected the disc, but the computer still won't boot. I tried resetting the PRAM by restarting and holding CommandOption+PR, and I've even let it cycle a few times with no luck. I also did what was suggested on an Apple support page, where I remove the AC adapter plug, remove the battery, hold the Power button for 5 seconds, re-insert the battery, reattach the AC adapter, and try starting that way, and that didn't work either.
I have no idea what the problem is, I've never had an issue with the computer before at all. Any suggestions?
(I tried posting this in the Tiger forums, but it was suggested that I post here instead)

Ah, I believe I do have the a TechTool CD that came with my old iBook, perhaps I'll give that a shot.
I first noticed the issue when trying to Safe Boot because I was attempting to install the Flash 9 player. Apparently many people are having issues with it, and it was suggested to me on the Adobe forums that I try installing it in Safe Mode (the install software hangs at "Items Remaining to be Installed: 4").
I'll bring my PowerBook to my parents' house this weekend and see if I can give it a shot with the correct disc. I'll try to post back here to let you know if it worked out!

Powerbook G4 1.67GHz 15 inch HR DC board failure?

Hi,
I am unsure if anyone experience the same thing and I am hoping someone can confirm my conclusion on replacing my DC board.
My powerbook failed on Saturday morning when it was left running overnight for some work. When I woke up in the morning, it freezed with a blank black screen. All I could hear was the fan as if it's overheating. The plug indicator light was amber meant charging although my battery was full. The plug or the left speak also released a small 'beep' nose every 2 seconds.
I forced shut down by holding the power button and it couldn't reboot after. I tried many method without success and finally took the battery out, reset PMU, deleting pref... etc, the computer restarted fine but only without the battery connected.
I tried putting the battery back whilst 'ON' and as soon as I connected the battery back to the computer, the computer crashed with the same symptom (spinning fan and black screen).
It's now running from AC without the battery. I also ran the Apple Hardware Test and it indicated the Logic board and everything else is fine, though it never mentioned the DC board. However, it didn't recognise the battery.
I have tried two battery, one have a count of 280 and the other one was newly purchased geniune Apple and have count of 20.
Please advise if some one can confirm the DC board before I order the part and get my hands dirty.
Thanks
Jim

Unfortunately no. I have sort of given up after spending £65 or $120 US to buy the DC board. It took me about 45 minutes to change the DC board... sweating like mad and after all the effort, still the same. I now suspect it's something to do with the Logic board which is no point in fixing as it may cost me as much as the PB to buy on Ebay these days. So I guess I am selling my PB on eBay as parts to get some of my cash back I love my PB and really thought it was the DC board.
Sorry I can't be more helpful but I have tried many things without success.
BTW I am now a proud owner of the new MacBook Pro.

Powerbook g4 1.67ghz motherboard replacement 4 time and still problems

My powerbook g4 1.67 has had a series of duff motherboards since the first replacement due to the problems with it's memory slot (a well known fault) and since then has had 3 additional motherboards fitted and the present one has heat issues that result in the fans never terminating once active.
I spoke to apple customer services and they told me they will repair it once more and if it's not fixed they are unsure what will happen after that, I phoned back as politely asked for a replacement laptop but they refused on the grounds that it's more than 12 months old.
They gave me the uk Apple Operations postal address, and told me to take it up with them, they also said that I won't get that far in a roundabout way.
Is there anything I can do to get a replacement or am I completely screwed on this? Any suggestions would be very helpful.
regards
Stefan

Hi, Steven, and welcome to Apple Discussions. I suspect that if Apple has agreed to replace your logic board once more at no charge, you won't progress to any next step that involves anything different until you've allowed that step to go forward and it has failed to solve the problem. After five logic boards and no resolution, I can't imagine how anyone could fail to agree that a replacement was justified. Just be sure to keep all your contacts civil and within the bounds of propriety, whatever happens, and keep all your documentation of what's been done and when.
I don't know hether it would be possible, now or at any later time, for Apple to replace your PB with another of the same model. A replacement for it might have to be a MacBook or MacBook Pro, which would bring with it some issues of its own. If things get to that point, be sure to inform yourself about those issues to avoid nasty surprises.

Leopard for Powerbook 17", 1.67GHz G4, 1 GB Memory...

I am thinking of updating to Leopard from Tiger 4.11 on my G4....
What I would like to know is: will it run on this older PowerBook efficiently AND
will I lose the software that is installed on Tiger if I don't have the discs for re-installing them....?

Yes, it will run, but you should really install more RAM as 1 GB is not really adequate even though it exceeds the minimum requirement of 512 MBs.
You do not have to lose any existing software, but you should plan to make a bootable backup of your current system before upgrading. Repair the hard drive and permissions before backup and before installing the upgrade. Plan to use the Archive and Install option:
How to Perform an Archive and Install
An Archive and Install will NOT erase your hard drive, but you must have sufficient free space for a second OS X installation which could be from 3-9 GBs depending upon the version of OS X and selected installation options. The free space requirement is over and above normal free space requirements which should be at least 6-10 GBs. Read all the linked references carefully before proceeding.
1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported, then quit DU and return to the installer.
2. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

Powerbook G4 dead or dying.

It froze up..very rare. Shut down with the power key. Has not booted since.
Sometimes I get a whirring noise. Sometimes I get the grey apple screen. Sometimes I get a tone and three beeps (and the little light flashing at the bottom of the display). One time I got to the log in and it froze when I typed password and hit log in button.
I did the PRAM and PSU proceedures. Tried with battery in and out.
Your thoughts, please.

jc wrote:
It froze up..very rare. Shut down with the power key. Has not booted since.
Sometimes I get a whirring noise. Sometimes I get the grey apple screen. Sometimes I get a tone and three beeps (and the little light flashing at the bottom of the display).
3 beeps should mean all RAM is bad:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1547
Can you try each stick by itself in each slot?
And do you have a titanium or aluminum Powerbook G4? The titanium has the sleep light at the base of the display and the aluminum does not.

LEGO STAR WARS game & powerbook G4 1.67Ghz- installation problem

I purchased the LEGO Star Wars game to use on my macs. It installs and plays on the G5 Powermac ok but won't install properly on my G4 Powerbook.
I have been in touch with Aspyr the game developer who say they have had no reports of a similar issue. My G4 powerbook is well beyond the spec required to run the game according to Aspyr themselves.
I was just wondering if there is any way of analysing what it is that is stopping the game from installing properly? I have tried setting up a 'clean' user account and installing the game in that accound in case it is some of the software I have on the powerbook which may be conflicting with the installation. Is there a way of trying to work out what the problem is so that I can get this game running?
I have tried using the force as well which seemed appropriate given the nature of the game but the force is not strong in this one!

Mobile GPUs have frequently not had the same power as their desktop counterparts. And based on:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TE185LL/A
It runs best on a G5, which says to me it is optimized for 64 bit processing. I would ask Aspyr to either rewrite the specs to say whether or not Mobility chips have been tested, and/or say if they think it should run on G4s.
Also, check to see if you have any background tasks, third party peripherals, or wireless connections which may be slowing down your machine. Check your Apple menu -> System Preferences -> Accounts -> select your active account and check your Login items. If there are any there, delete them (don't just uncheck them) and see if it makes a difference.

My PowerBook 17"/1.67Ghz died ...

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for