Powerbook G4 17" 1.67ghz found in trash

About a month ago I found this laptop in a trash can all in pieces. When I saw it I gathered up all the pieces I could find and took it home. I managed to piece it together nicely. I am only missing the sound ribbon cable. As well as the superdrive, hdd, ram, battery, and charger ...
So I'm just wondering if it would be at all worth it to bring this guy back to life. And if it is I was also wondering if I could bring it to the Mac Genius Bar to see if they could plug it in so I can see if it at least turns on. Any help/comment is appreciated.

The internal backup battery is what keeps the notebook running when the main battery runs dry. It gives you the few minutes needed to get the computer onto the a/c adaptor without losing data. The ones listed here:
http://www.powerbookguy.com/xcart/catalog/USB-Boards-price0-p-1-c-786.html
are all "used/pulled." I try not to buy used batteries.
I love resurrecting older Macs as much as anyone; they don't deserve dumpster death. This one sounds like you can spend a whole lot of money to get it limping only to find other, much more expensive problems. So please consider this as from one rebuilder to another--this one could be trouble due to how delicate the parts are (compared to a desktop model). I've overhauled three G3 Powerbooks (Wallstreet) and their inside parts are HUGE compared to the G4 PB.
As long as the case is open, start looking at all the little logic board connectors--a good light and modest magnification will help. I don't have a picture of what broken connectors looks like, but you're not a newb at this by any means.
This should be a great help:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBook-G4-Al-17-Inch/55
Click any picture and see a nice enlargement for telling what's "normal."
Best of luck! Here's hoping you succeed.

Similar Messages

Powerbook 17" G4 1.67ghz - dead logic board, or dead DC board?

Hi there,
I have recently come in to the possession of a Powerbook G4 17" 1.67ghz, given to me by a friend in an attempt to fix it. The problem is simple: it won’t turn on! when plugged into the power cord, it makes the green illuminated rim on the flex turn off. I then have to turn the power supply off and on again to get it to work on other machines. I have been told it could be a DC board issue, or it could be logic board... If anyone could shed any light on the issue I would be grateful... Would prefer not to have to splash out on a new logic board!
Chris
Powerbook G4 17" 1.67ghz Mac OS X (10.4.8)
iBook G3 500 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

I went through this last year.
Power's up - but the light around the power plug flickers green all the time - even when charging.
Won't charge when it's in sleep or turned off.
Thought DC board - logically - but nope logic board.
Then found out bluetooth wasn't working either.
Well I thought 800USD is a lot to pay to fix those 2 things - so just living with it now.
So even if it appears to be DC board - it might not be....
hope this info somehow helps you out
cheers
Jase

IPHOTO LIBRARY FOUND IN TRASH. RESTORED AND ALL PICTURES GONE

I have iphoto 2011 installed on my imac. I had thousands of pictures installed and my imac is relatively new so I did not do a Time Machine backup or copy my photos. Unfortunately my iphoto library was in the trash and when I start iphoto it says 22 photos have been found in the iPhoto library that were not imported.Would you like to import them now? When I click yes it says: The photos have been placed in the folder /Users/USER/Pictures/iPhoto Library Recovered Photos_453.
I have a white page document on the desktop titled iphoto library (which I recovered from the trash) and when I click on this iphoto opens and starts to import and immediately iphoto stops running.
When I select the Macintosh HD hard drive and go to the USERS then PICTURES folder it shows 461 file items and they al say iphoto library revocered photos but when you click them they are empty.
When I select the iphoto library in the Pictures folder then select MASTERS folder it shows three photos in the entire 2011 folder.
Are my pictures just not being opened correctly by iphoto and they are somewhere else or did I lose them all but three? I have used 124.64 GB and have 875.22GB remaining.
Please help? IMAC 10.6.8

I am not 100% sure what you mean by the iPhoto window because there are a lot of iPhoto files. Which window (sorry there may be only one). If you tell what steps I can tell you exactly what's there. In the iPhoto page on the desktop thereaid a file and if I am not mistaken it says it is 4GB in size. I have no idea how my photos disappeared and how to get the iPhoto library back. When I click on the iPhoto library, iPhoto opens and then goes to force quit. All other folders (main) have files that say restored but they are empty when I click on them. I think the photos are still there because of the size of the file but I do not know how to get iPhoto to see them now. Im sorry I do not know more, I may have to take it to the Apple store to see if they can help because I'm pretty new to the MAC world.

Imac g5 20" 2.1Ghz VS powerbook G4 17" 1.67Ghz

have just bought a refurb powerbook g4, 1.67ghz ppc processor with 2gb ddr2 ram
was considering migrating fully from imac g5 to this powerbook, but have just done a render test same project, just adding one filter (emboss) to 2mins of video
imac took _1min 31secs_ (i even had safari, firefox, real player, bluetooth file exchange, text edit and preview running at same time- processor set to auto))
powerbook took, (*groan*) wait for it, i mean, really, wait for it.... (had just fcp 5.1 running)
_9mins 17secs!!!_
i work as a video editor, i have to use my own computer and use a desk to edit from (the deal is i do a bit of pa work as well) i want to be more mobile hence the purchase of the pbg4 which was the highest spec laptop at time of imac g5 purchase 2years ago.
Question is, is this massive deficite in performance is it normal? (8x slower) i was hoping there wouldnt be such a gap, i guess ill just have to cope until i can afford to migrate to intel mbp.
Would there be an app or setting somewhere that would give more juice?

£1200 !!!
how many times over would the mbp be over the imac g5 (2.1Ghz g5, 1.5gb ram)?
i think ill wait till xmas/jan so battle it out with it for the next month or so.

PowerBook G4 17" 1.67Ghz - Coolest Peripherals

I am looking for some cool aluminum wireless speakers to go with my PowerBook G4.
I am also interested in the coolest stand (rain design, maybe?)
Coolest mouse pad...
Coolest mouse...
I would like everything aluminum or a very close silver, if possible.
What are some of you Macophobes using out there?
Thanks!
CS

This is over a month since you posted your requests, but I actually have an all aluminum setup as well!
I don't have wireless speakers, but the ones I use are the JBL Duet ones from the Apple Store:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TB998LL/A
As for the mouse, this one looks fairly dorky, but it's actually pretty awesome:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826172009&nmmc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Mouse--Macally+(Mace+Group)-_-26172009
The mousepad I use is not this exact one, but it's identical:
http://www.zazzle.com/brushedaluminummousepad-144535290457462894
Hopefully this helps!

Deleted Inbox Mail not found in Trash

After I have read email I delete them and expect they will appear in the Trash mail box. This is not happening. Is there a preference corruption that needs to me corrected? Version 10.3.9
Phil

Hi Philip
Welcome to Discussions.
Is there a preference corruption that needs to me corrected? Version 10.3.9
No, but a preference adjustment needs to be made.
In Mail > Preferences > Accounts; Special Mailboxes; Trash there are choices about what happens when mail is moved to the Trash.
*Erase deleted messages when*; One day old will have them disappear from the Trash if they are one day old, younger than that and it will still be there in the Trash.
regards roam

PowerBook 17"G4 1.67GHZ replacing HD

I've purchased a new Western Digital 250G HD from OWC and I have the iFixit installation printed and I;;m ready to begin. Question, I've got TimeMachine backing up to my TimeCapsule but before I begin the swap out will TM sync properly from TC and put everything back where it is supposed to go on my new HD? Or do I need to use a third party software program to do so. I'm posting here first but should I be posting in the TM/TC forum please notify and I will move it over there. Thanks,
jason
One more item, I've tried to find out how to create an alias for my post instead of my proper name and I can't find out where to make that change. Do I need to create a whole new profile? I'm sure it's an easy fix but I can't seem to locate it.

I'm posting here first but should I be posting in the TM/TC forum
It's probably a good idea in this case to post both places.
I've tried to find out how to create an alias for my post instead of my proper name and I can't find out where to make that change. Do I need to create a whole new profile
Unfortunately, the third-party software that now drives Apple Discussions does not allow changes like that. You would have to create a new user account and profile. See this Announcement form the Hosts:
Regarding Requests to change a user alias / username / displayed name

Powerbook G4 15'' 1.67ghz keyboard problem

I have a big problem with my PB's keyboard. The keys F9, 9 ,l, o and the lower arrow intermitintly fail. It seems to react to heat (ie. when it is hot it fails, when it is cold it works). Sometimes when i press these keys, they repeat. I have not reset the PRAM or the PMU. Do you think this would solve it?
If it's hardware related, how much would Apple charge for a solution?. I am out of warranty and i dont have AppleCare.
Desperate for a solution.
Alex
Message was edited by: alex crompton

It sounds likely to be a bad keyboard. Can you get an external USB keyboard and see if that works when the regular keyboard fails?
It could also just be a poor keyboard connector contact. You'd have to open the case to check this, but it could be the cheapest solution. Otherwise, replacement keyboards are about $130USD if you install it yourself (not the easiest repair). I don't know what a non-warranty repair would cost; maybe $200.
Resetting the PMU and PRAM wouldn't hurt, but sounds unlikely to solve this problem. May as well try it.

Powerbook G4 15in 1.67ghz

we have been having a number of problems with this computer first is when charcher is pluged in it turns green then the orange color and say (Calculating...)
but doesnt change the other problem is the mother board stoped working so i did the bake trick and it WORKED !! so then i applied new thermal compound to cpu and gpu and it work but for some apprent reason the fans do not work the battery problem is not so important the main thing is THE FANS that cool it down have any idea fors this or do i need a new logic board by the way the logic board work an im using it write know to type
PLEASE RESPOND
Jerry Fokas

Thermal compound application should really only be left to an authorized service center. The application of too much, it becomes an insulator. The application of too little, and the machine overheats because there isn't enough to cool it down. Only an experienced technician would know the right amount to apply.

PowerBook G4 15" 1.67gHz (Model A1138) won't turn on (it's not battery)

I just replaced the hard drive following instructions on ifixit.com (really great site by the way for anyone wanting step by step repairs). I did it all right, but at the moment of truth... Nothing. Power's plugged in. Green light's on. It's taking a charge. But computer won't turn on. Reset PMU already. Nothing. Wondering if I fried the board with static even though I didn't feel any ever and was cautious about touch metal before anything else (plus I wore a static bracelet). I did Vacuum the inside with a brush attachment very carefully so the vac never touched, but in hindsight maybe ******* move...
I will take it to a mac store but thought I could get a quick thought from someone first.
BY THE WAY: The drive is totally empty and I didn't put a OS DVD in the drive before I replaced. Figured I could turn it on and then hold C and stuff the disk in, but it won't go on to get there.

After power-on... Do you get a light when you press the caps lock?
I would also agree with "BGreg" check the Trackpad/Keyboard ribbon cable.
And make sure that the RAM is fully seated.
I doubt that ESD would cause the Mac to not boot, in this case as it sounds like you took all precautions. Everyone should practice good ESD safety as it is always a possibility. Now using a bristle brush with a vacuum, well that's a different story entirely and that can zap it in a heart beat.

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

PowerBook G4 12" Damaged by Bad Battery?

I have a PowerBook G4 12" 1.5GHz with a bad battery that is about to be replaced by the Extension Program. Can the bad battery have damaged the computer while it was in use in the computer? In early 2005, I purchased a brand-new PowerBook G4 15" 1.67Ghz which turned out to have a bad battery, but because at that time the battery problem was either not yet known or not yet acknowledged by Apple, the battery was not only used in the 15", but when it was sent back from Apple after the first of three service attempts, the bad battery was not replaced and was sent back to me and I, not having been informed there was a battery problem of any kind, continued to use the computer until its hard drive then its logic board failed. Eventually, I found out about the exchange program by accident (and was officially informed by Apple one year later, in June 2006; ironically, the 15" had been replaced with one of the first MacBook Pros in March 2006). I include this history because I have always wondered if the bad battery damaged the 15"'s logic board. Now this 12", which I just bought, whose bad battery has been installed for years is having major issues: the screen freezes within the first 2 minutes of booting from disk, hard drive or network boot image (it has never booted to the desktop since I've owned it); it heats up under the hard drive/near the video chip; when TDM is attempted, the screen stays black altogether and the 12" never appears on the host's desktop. It will boot into Open Firmware but not in single user mode. There is some kind of white sticky substance present in small amounts around the pins thar lock the battery into the well. For the record, the 12" is otherwise in seeingly flawless condition with no dents or other signs of being dropped and inside it is clear no one has disassembled it or even removed the topcase. When the battery is removed and the AC power connected it still won't boot. Sorry this is so long.

The actual runtime of a battery depends on several factors, including what you are doing with your PowerBook. Information on stretching out your battery's runtime is available in this article. For a daily planner, try using iCal in the /Applications/ folder, or dTasks if iCal won't do what you want.
(10887)

Firewire and USB issue on PBG4 15" 1.67ghz - Help!!

On the firewire 400 port of my Powerbook G4 15" I run an M-audio Firewire 410 external audio interface. This has worked perfectly ever since I got my powerbook in December 2005.
On switching on my powerbook only days ago, I found that although my Powerbook recognises my Firewire 410 as being attached and powers it, it will not play any sound whatsoever.
I subsequently tried my Firewire 410 audio interface with my PC running XP, which again finds it but plays the audio with high digital distortion.
I believed this to be a problem with my audio interface and not my powerbook - but on one of the USB 2.0 ports, I have attached a 250GB Freecom Classic External HDD. Again, since i got my powerbook this has worked fine, but now my powerbook will only recognise it as a 'Cypress AT2LP RC42' device that cannot be installed.
The Hard drive also will not work on my PC and I have found from other forums that 'Cypress AT2LP RC42' means that your hard drive enclosure is not getting enough power.
Both of these devices stopped working within the same week, and are now useless. The only common thing between them is they were both connected to my powerbook G4 when they stopped working.
I reset my power management system by taking out the battery and adapter and holding the power button, i've verified my permissions and powerbook HD, and still nothing. I have no other choice but to imagine that my powerbook has damaged these devices, which are both powered through their respective ports.
I recently upgraded to 10.4.6 through the system update utility, but quite a few weeks ago now.
Can anyone shed light on this, or give me any indication how to solve this?
Powerbook G4 15" 1.67Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.6)

This seams to be related to Firewire port only, I just switched to using usb extention cord on the same drive and its omovign information happly on both USB ports....
So question is how does one check health of the Firewire port and associated driveres, which logs to monitor and what information is prudent?

Which version of Flash Player is best for Powerbook G4 10.5.8?

Hi,
I have a Powerbook g4 17" 1.67ghz with 2gb of ram and 128mb video.
I thought this would be pretty good on the web but even basic video clips play poorly.
Looking around flash seeems to be the culprit so is it better to run an older version of flash or is there anything i can do?
Also how can i tell which version i am running?
Thnaks.

I'm afraid nothing will completely fix streaming video problems on any PPC-based Mac since web video is now optimised for Intel processors. Probably the best functionality you can hope for is by following Texas Mac Man's advice in this recent thread https://discussions.apple.com/message/17558876#17558876
The hack Tom has found has some advantages over the standard Flash Player version when used in conjunction with specific websites.
To find out which version of Flash you currently have installed open a Flash video stream and control click on the window. Amongst other things this will display the version information.

Empty my trash!!

Hi,
I appear to have a folder in my trash can that simply will not delete!! I think it may be something residual from time machine, but i cant be sure.
Anyways, in my trash i have the folder Macintosh HD. Inside that are the following folders - System-Library-CoreServices and in this folder are 2 files, boot.efi and BootX. Both have a locked symbol on them.
Does anyone know what they are and how to delete????
Thanks

Here's what I have done (I got it from somebody else on the web):
Drag it (all the items) out of the trash to your Desktop. Open the Terminal Application (in Applications, Utilities folder) and type: "cd ~/.Trash", hit return, then type: "sudo rm -rf ". Remember to put a space after the f and drag the item you want deleted to the terminal so that its path is automatically entered, then press return. Give it your admin password and hit return. It's deleted!(?)
If the above does not work I have also found the following, but cannot vouch for it personally:
Shut down.
Boot up. Hold the Shift key while booting up.
This will take forever. It took about five minutes for the person who posted the solution in that link. I took about ten minutes on my wife's Powerbook.
Log in. Empty the trash.
Reboot into normal mode.

Powerbook G4 17" 1.67ghz found in trash

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