Pismo Powerbook- failure to start up

I would appreciate any advice regarding my Pismo Powerbook (500 MHz, 386 Mb RAM, 40 gb hard drive, Mac OS 10.4.11) not being able to boot up.
By swapping parts with another Pismo Powerbook, I've determined that the following are not the problem (at least as far as I know):
Logic board
Processor
Hard drive
PRAM battery
Powerbook battery
During booting, there was no chime, but a humming noise is heard and the keyboard capslock or numlock lights up when pressed.
The screen does not light up of course and remains dark (screen problem, would a bad display prevent startup?).
Previously, the computer did power up once in a blue moon but now it remained not being able to do so. I did check for loose connections and did not find any.
Since I just upgraded this old workhorse recently (400 MHz to 500 MHz processor and bigger hard drive), I would really like to keep it alive.
Thanks in advance for any input.

Troubleshooting portables that won't turn on or start up
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA25686?viewlocale=en_US
Troubleshooting: My computer won't turn on
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1367
 Cheers, Tom

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Hi all,
I have a Pismo PowerBook that has no video for both the internal display and any attached external displays. It seems to boot up just fine as I can hear the hard drive working and can even put the computer to sleep by pressing the power button followed by the "s" key.
I initially thought that this must be a problem with the logic board, so I ordered a replacement from ifixit.com and installed it. The new board produces exactly the same symptoms as before: no video from any source. Other than a dead replacement logic board, is there anything else that would cause this problem?
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Dan, welcome to Apple Discussions.
I also have a Pismo, but haven't experienced this problem. Below is the text (for video) from Apple's Pismo Service Manual.
PowerBook (FireWire) Symptom Charts / Video –
Pixel(s) always on or off
1. A certain number of pixel anomalies are inherent in display
technology and vary by many factors, including type of
technology. If you suspect that the display contains an
abnormal number of anomalies, contact Apple Technical
Support.
Warning: Do not use a metal screwdriver to reseat the display cable
or shorting could result. Use a plastic or nylon tool.
Partial or full row of pixels is always on or always off
1. Check display cable connection.
2. In the U.S., contact Apple Technical Support.
3. Replace display cable (international only).
4. Replace display (international only).
5. Replace I/O logic board.
Display is very light or totally white
1. Verify display cable and inverter board cable connections to the I/O logic board.
2. Replace inverter board.
3. In the U.S., contact Apple Technical Support.
4. Replace display cable (international only).
5. Replace display (international only).
An external monitor connected to the computer shows no video
1. Verify external monitor has power.
2. Try different resolutions in the Monitors control panel.
3. Try another monitor cable and verify the video adapter has part number 590-1123 on the adapter.
4. Try another monitor.
5. Restart unit and reset PRAM.
6. Replace I/O logic board.
No display, but computer appears to operate correctly
1. Connect power adapter.
2. Adjust screen brightness using keyboard controls.
3. Verify display cable, inverter board, and I/O logic board connections.
4. Connect external, known-good monitor.
5. Verify inverter cable is properly connected.
6. Replace inverter cable.
7. Replace inverter board.
8. In the U.S., contact Apple Technical Support.
9. Replace display cable (international only).
10. Replace display (international only).
11. Replace I/O logic board.
An external monitor connected to the computer shows either horizontal or vertical rolling, or horizontal or vertical distortion
1. Try different resolutions in the Monitors control panel.
2. Verify monitor using another computer.
3. Try another video adapter and verify the video adapter has part number 590-1123 on it.
4. Replace I/O logic board.
Backlight doesn’t operate; screen is very dim
1. Adjust screen brightness setting.
2. Verify backlight cable connection is secure.
3. Check display cable and inverter board connections to the I/O logic board.
4. Verify inverter cable is properly connected and that cable is good.
5. Verify cables are not pinched or severed.
6. Replace inverter board.
7. In the U.S., contact Apple Technical Support.
8. Replace display (international only).
9. Replace I/O logic board.
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Hi everyone,
I was running Photoshop under OS 9 for the first time today (Sunday April 30th 2006) when a severe error occured.
When the battery OR the A/C are plugged in, it doesn't startup or respond - only the vaccume-cleaner like fan kicks up again.
::: How this occured today:
It was sitting, plugged in with an open .jpg image of my mother and I onscreen. The powerbook was alone on a table, plugged into the wall.
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Blayne,
Does this powerbook have some kind of a return policy from the buyer? If so, you may want to consider it.
As Tom suggested, you may want to try reseating the microprocessor card, but first...
- A partitioned HD would not cause this issue.
- The white screen with black text is either a kernal panic in OSX or it has for some reason booted into Open Firmware, then quickly shut down or crashed.
I would first try this:
- remove the main battery, disconnect the power adapter, remove the DVD-ROM drive from the media bay and disconnect all peripherals; be sure the display is vertical or the 'book will want to tip backwards;
- reset the power manager; press the reset button for 10 seconds on the back panel;
- now connect just the power adapter and try starting.
If you get the startup chime with the white screen/black text/quit as before, make sure the 'book is shut down (just unplug the power adapter, then reconnect it), then reset the PRAM. Assuming the 'book will start as before with a startup chime, you may be able to reset the PRAM. Press/hold the four keys for two startup chimes, then release.
If no change in the behavior, I would follow Tom's advice and reseat the microprocessor card. Here's what to do:
Remove all power > lift off the keyboard (do not disconnect, just lay it face down on the palm rest) > remove the aluminum heat shield > remove the top memory module > press down •VERY• hard on the right side of the microprocessor card next to the HD and closest to the palm rest. Do not be afraid to press hard.
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There are many other troubleshooting suggestions but let's see what you get to this point.
This link shows the aluminum heat shield to remove and the microprocessor card with the memory module in the top slot. If you enlarge the bottom picture, you can see the module to remove. Do not remove components than I have not mentioned...the takeapart guide describes a full disassembly.
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/6.7.2.html
Here is the whole guide:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/6.0.0.html
Reset power manager:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449
Reset PRAM:
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Hi,
My powerbook is refusing to start up, it gets to a white screen with the grey apple logo, and then stops, It just stays on that screen.
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Hi, miek. Welcome to the Discussions.
Here is some general advice on troubleshooting shared library errors.
A shared library error, in general terms, implies a missing, corrupted, or incompatible application or operating system framework. Details on frameworks and shared libraries (heavy technical reading) can be found in the "Frameworks" section of the "Software Development Overview" chapter of the Apple Developer Connection document Mac OS X Technology Overview, and the Framework Programming Guide.
Causes for shared library errors include:
• The affected application has been corrupted and must be reinstalled.
• Running incompatible versions of two applications with interdependent shared libraries.
• Disk or permission corruption.
• Corrupted operating system installation.
To resolve shared library errors:
1. As a start, perform a general checkup by running the procedure specified in my Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption FAQ.
2. If the problem persists and only one application is affected, uninstall, then reinstall the affected application. See my "Uninstalling applications" FAQ for important advice on uninstalling software.
3. If the problem persists, multiple applications are affected, or the shared library in question is part of the operating system, then reinstall Mac OS X using the Archive and Install process. See my "General advice on performing an Archive and Install" FAQ.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:
I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

Pismo (powerbook g3 with firewire) upgrade to mac osx 10.4.9

After having this Powerbook G3 Pismo (400 MHz, 2 firewire and 2 USB ports) I decided to upgrade from 10.3 up to 10.4.9 (if doable).
Since this Powerbook G3 had a 5.59 GB hard drive (which had 12% free space) and 512MB RAM I could tell there were many things that had to be done but I'd try them in steps first.
I ordered additional RAM (2 512MB cards from www.powerbookmedic.com) for $189.90 ($94.95 each 512MB card). The idea would be replacing the two 256MB cards. The cards arrived 3 days later and I had no trouble replacing the top 256MB card (thus going from 512MB to 768MB) but the lower card was going to be a bit of trouble.
I noticed a performance change right away with activity monitor (CPU usage, system memory, etc) and decided it would be worth it to continue.
Circuit City in Deerfield Beach, Florida is an authorized Apple service center so a trip to them was next. I explained that I wanted the hard drive replaced (5.56 GB) with a 60 GB one ($80 for the hard drive), and install the 512MB card that I brought with me ($30 labor). Paid for all of items ($80 for hard drive plus $30 for labor) and went home.
A few hours later Circuit City called up and said I could pick up the Powerbook on Sunday morning after 11:00. Wow!
Picked it up and tested a few items by doing a software update (it now had 10.3 loaded on to the 60 GB drive). I used Circuit City's wireless connection there at the service counter. All the updates came up fine (glad they did not charge me for bandwidth).
Off to home and where I still had my Mac OS X 10.4 DVD from my MacBoook Pro 17". Put in the Mac OS X 10.4 DVD and kept my fingers crossed. It worked, took about 45 minutes all said and down.
Under system preferences made sure that synching thru .Mac was enabled so now my Powerbook G3 has all the addressbook, bookmarks, iCal, etc of my Macbook Pro.
Not a lot of dollars ($300) to get a 7 year old computer (February 2000 when purchased) to year 2007.
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Hi sanchezpaulk!
You wrote "Off to home and where I still had my Mac OS X 10.4 DVD from my MacBoook Pro 17". Put in the Mac OS X 10.4 DVD and kept my fingers crossed. It worked, took about 45 minutes all said and down."
I'm very surprised that you were able to use a Model Specific install disc, for an Intel Mac, to install a functioning system on a PPC Mac.
Additional info in these links.
Using OS X Install CDs/DVDs On Multiple Macs
What's A Computer Specific Mac OS X Release
Software Update, Upgrade: What's The Difference?
ali b

Pismo Powerbook- failure to start up

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