Powerbook problems....

Took my 15" Powerbook (which was purchased in 12/2005) in to get fixed. The logic board and hard drive are fried. This is the 2nd logic board to go. Based on all of these problems, at what point is this computer considered a "lemon"? What is Apple's policy on this and what are the odds that I can get a new computer to replace this one?

it's a coin toss to hope for replacement after almost 1 year since purchase date, you could try calling customer relations anyway though.
as a guess, you may want to either consider selling machine or getting AppleCare.

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Powerbook problems after upgrade to 10.4.3

I recently upgraded to 10.4.3 on my 12" Powerbook. Since the upgrade many applications crash immediately after being started including Finder. If I log into a separate profile (eg 'root') the same thing happens however on different applications. For example in my general user profile Finder crashes, in the 'root' sys admin profile it opens okay, however the system preferences app dies. After researching for some hours last night I have found posts from others with similar problems (only on the 12" Powerbook) but no solution to the issue. Thus far I've:
1) Verified and repaired permissions
2) Reinstalled 10.4.3 using the download package
3) Checked I'm not running Quartz 2d (which I never even knew about until the issues so it's unlikely I've ever 'turned it on' by edit the config file.
Any suggestions?
Regards,
Brett

Have you tried booting from your Tiger CD and running Disk Utility to repair the starup disk? Also, are you using the Combo update or the Delta update? I've never had any problems with the Delta (smaller, incremental) update, but others here have. In many of those cases, the Combo update seems to work for them.
Beyond that, you may want to consider simply reinstalling Tiger, if feasible, especially if your current install is several years old.

OpenOffice - is it a powerbook problem?

I noticed at versiontracker.com there is a new version of Openoffice 2.0 for the mac. I've installed it but it won't open. I've heard it's happened to others as well but I don't know which mac they are using. Could this be a PB problem? Thanks

Hi Pete, officially OpenOffice should work, however you will have to run it using OSX's X11 technology.
Essentially, you need to check if X11 is installed on your PowerBook - it should be in /Applications/Utilities.
If it's not (and OpenOffice needs it to work), you'll need to track down your Install/Restore CD/DVDs and install it from there - you'll find some handy instructions here.
Best wishes,
jp
PowerBook G4 12" Aluminium Mac OS X (10.3)

Many PowerBook Problems

Hello All,
I am having a ton of problems with my PowerBook. I will order them in an order of most annoying to least annoying.
My first problem is with BlueTooth. It just simply will not work correctly. I am trying to get it to connect to my PowerBook, which it has not done for the last two days. My BlueTooth has always been erratic like this. I have tried deleting my phone folder.
My second problem is with the computer in general. It just began doing this today, but it is popping. I do not believe it is the speakers, but I suppose it could be. Please do not tell me this is a hardware issue, as I don't have the money to replace this machine right now.
My last problem that comes to mind is with the audio system. When I plug in headphones, sound still comes through the speakers (in addition to the headphones.)
Thanks for any help that anyone can supply,
-Chris
P.S. I am also having issues with my 4G iPod. I have a firewire hub that I would like to plug my 2 iPods in to charge. The 3G has no problem, but the 4G freezes when it is plugged in. Any suggestions?

Hi Chris,
I'm glad to hear that you worked out how to fix your Bluetooth problem.
The 'popping' noise will most likely be coming from the speakers. My Rev. A PowerBook had this problem and it was extremely frustrating. Does it happen shortly after you plug in your headphones / external speakers or all of the time? Apple recommended a restart to fix this problem short-term.
Unfortunately I don't know anything about the speakers still playing when the headphones are in.
Hope this info helps,
Stu

I have a powerbook problem is it keeps going 2 a black screen about 1.5 min right before that happens the fan moter turns on how can i stop that from happen

I have a powerbook g4 that i just bought the problem is it keeps going 2 a black screen every 2min or so when i am on the internet.now right before that happens the fan moter goes on .to get back 2 the page i was on i have 2 hit the return key this is a problem. can any one help me with this problem

Powerbooks have heat sensors that control the fan. The fan can run and not be heard unless the speed increases. If the powerbook thinks it's getting to hot it can start going into a shutdown mode.Thats a safety feature. Now if the sensor is reading heat wrong you might need to reset you PMU- power management control. since I don't know what model powerbook you have, I need to refer you to the apple article on it. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431

Powerbook problem , PLEASE HELP !!!

Images -
IMG00078-20100427-1853.jpg picture by wombat2212 - Photobucket
IMG00079-20100427-1853.jpg picture by wombat2212 - Photobucket
The charger look out of place and bent to one side and i really need to boot it as i go to uni in NYC next month ,from Britain, and it has all of my backup work , music & photos ! Can anyone help with any information or sites or anyone who can help ? Thanks , Danny Its a G4 POwerbook Titanium

Danny, your photo links are defective. But if the AC adapter plug that connects to the computer looks bent, then it is bent, or else the port to which it connects in the Powerbook is broken. If the plug itself is visibly damaged, replace the AC adapter. If the port is cockeyed or you can easily wiggle it when the plug is connected to it, the DC-in card inside the Powerbook is damaged and will have to be replaced. Either problem can prevent battery charging or prevent the computer from getting any power at all from the adapter.

Echo Indigo DJ Soundcard with powerbook - problems

Is anybody using the Echo Indigo DJ PCMCIA soundcard with a powerbook?
I've just recieved mine today. I've installed the drivers, copied the "console" programme to my applications folder & repaired permissions. But everytime I stick the soundcard in my PC card slot, my powerbook freezes up totally.
I've also tried with the downloaded version of the drivers from Echo's website.
Any ideas? .....I know there was chip set problems on some PC's, but I assumed (rightly or wrongly) that this wasn't a problem with Macs
I intend to use this set up for DJing with Traktor DJ Studio software. I've also posted this question on Native Instruments' Traktor Forum.....
http://www.nativeinstruments.de/forum_us/showthread.php?p=204662#post204662

Sorry to hear of your problems with the Indigo DJ but cannot say I'm totally surprised. About 18 months ago I purchased an Echo Indigo I/O card (virtually identical to your DJ card but with less output options I believe) and for the first year or so all was well. However, after having my PB logic board replaced (due to the well known lower RAM slot memory problem) I have been unable to get the card to work at all ( the PB recognises that a card of some sort has been inserted into the slot but refuses to supply power).
Discussions with Apple point the finger of problem towards Echo and the fact that the current Mac drivers for both of our cards date back to 2003 doesn't help or impress! I did have some e-mail correspondence with Echo about the matter but eventually gave up after repeated non-replies and/or promises about new drivers being "on the way". The card now sits gathering dust on a shelf!
In regard to your own situation, I note that you say your PB freezes up totally when you insert the DJ card. I know that in the early days when my card was working my PB totally refused to boot if I had the card already inserted when I hit the power on button. I had to power up and then insert the card and it would work O.K. Maybe worth a try.
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.4) 1.5GHz; 1 Gig RAM
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.4) 1.5GHz; 1 Gig RAM
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.4) 1.5GHz; 1 Gig RAM

Powerbook Problems on Airplanes?

My wife travels frequently cross-country, and she tells me that she has a lot of trouble powering on her laptop on the plane. Apparently, this is a consistent problem, and she has to shake it, and press in on the battery, etc. to get it to start. As soon as she is back on the ground it works fine.
Apple has a Tech Note on this, but they claim that cabin pressure in most airlines is below the 3000 equivalent meter max operating altitude. I am checking with the airline to find out if the pressurize to the standard 60 kPa above ambient.
Assuming they do, and it is a problem with the Powerbook, has anyone else ever seen this? Any suggestions on how I can remedy this problem? Thanks!

Just FYI, I've never had a problem like that, using my PowerBook in flight on several airlines and aircraft across the US and on very long flights to Europe and Asia.
It is possible that there is a subtle hardware manufacturing variation that is causing the machine to be a little bit less tolerant of conditions that are close to the edge of the spec. That's my best guess. Like the way my previous PowerBook would lose power if I picked it up, because the logic board was a little loose somewhere (after Apple serviced it, it was fine).

PowerBook Problem Won't wake up, mouse doesn't work etc...

Hello all, thanks for taking the time to check my post.
I have a friend here who's g4 powerbook, when it goes to sleep sometimes it won't wake up. Sometimes the mouse won't work after it wakes up. Are these signs of something that can be fixed by the user or should this machine be serviced?
Thanks in advance ;)!

Hi, Greg Willmott
i have not experienced this kind of problem myself. I would think it has to do with some settings which clash.
I would do:
a) search the forum with the extended search possibilities;
b) reset PRAM (Restart the computer holding down the 4 keys "option-contr-P-R" at the moment of the 1st chime, and keeping them pressed until a second chime)
c) check whether the problem happens if you put the PB to sleep while no application is running - if it happens only if it sleeps while applications are running, it might hint to these, especially their preference settings);
d) check the hardware memory (use disk-utility);
e) repair permissions (with disk-utility as well).
if all this doesn't point to a cause, i would try to reinstall the software from scratch. sorry - this take some time... for this, I would keep the following order:
1) BACK UP EVERYTHING you want to keep;
2) do an "Archive and Install"
3) check whether things are now fine.
if the problem persists, do
4) "ERASE and INSTALL" - performs a complete clean
installation, no old software remains.
if the problem now still persists, I would be inclined
to think that it is hardware, and that Apple has to be
approached;
if the problem has disappeard now, I think it points
at the settings of some applications (or hardware
such as external disk or mouse or...) . The
5) install the different applications one by one and try
after each one - if it shows the system, you might
have found the one which is incompatible with the
others...
sorry, might be a long search- but give it a try.
PLease, post back, Thomas

Massive G4 Powerbook Problem!! Computer Won't Start!!

I re-booted my computer because it started runing really slowly. I was getting the colored circle symbol for a long time while waiting for it to load. So i closed out of everything and re-booted. Now it will not start back up!! In the past it has happened that I had to hit the restart button two or three times for it to finally start up, but now it will not start up at all. I get the beginning noise that it will start to load up but then the screen stays blank and nothing happens. What can I do to fix this???

You may get better and more focused answers if you post your questions in the PowerBook forums. Use this link:
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=120
and then select the sub-forum that best describes your PowerBook. Should get you some help fast.
A

Powerbook problem - won't start, or function

I was watching a movie on a cd, and closed the screen of my 15'' Powerbook. When i opened it, FINDER would not work and the computer froze. I force quit everything and restarted.
Then it just froze on the APPLE LOGO and SWIRLING dots.
It has loaded only once since, and Finder runs horribly. Crashes etc.
I tried inserting the startup cd and holding 'c', and all i got were option to reistall everything.
WHAT CAN I DO???
thanks
daryl

Hi dot,
I'm assuming that the machine is powering up, hard drives are spinning and any fans / blowers are functioning. Here are some trouble shooting steps which should be able to get your machine functioning normally while pinpointing the troubled area:
- Remove any peripherals attached to the machine. Ideally, don't have any cables but the power cable connected.
- Check your battery. Do the status LEDs light up when you press the indicator button?
- Check your power supply, is it a correct 65W power supply brick? If you have another, try connecting that.
- Boot up without the battery. Connect the power supply and remove the battery.
- Reset the PMU. Do this by removing the battery and the power supply, then hold down the POWER button for 5 seconds.
If none of these tips resolve the issue, take your machine to an AASP or Apple Store and have them check it out.
Good luck!

Powerbook keeps putting itself to sleep

My powerbook goes through phases where it puts itself to sleep over and over again. I may get a few seconds to maybe a minute before it goes back to sleep. I'll be working or using the trackpad or whatever and it will do it anyways. I usually have to reboot in order to get it to fix itself, but sometimes it starts sleeping before I can even log in. This problem happens both with the power adapter plugged in and when running on battery. The battery is fully charged. My power and energy saver settings are normal, it shouldn't be going to sleep every 2 seconds. I read some stuff about resetting pram, tried it, didn't do anything (could I have not reset the pram correctly?) Also, I read something about resetting PMU (I think that's what it's called), followed the steps, and so far it hasn't happened again but I'm not too hopeful. This is supposedly a known powerbook problem - anybody have a solution?

Hi, jmenking. I've read every entry on these Titanium Powerbook forums for almost two years, and I don't recall ever seeing this problem reported here before, so I question whether it's really a "known Powerbook problem", at least with the Titanium models. Is yours Titanium (with most of its ports on the back panel betwen the two hinges) or Aluminum (most ports on the side panels)?
It sounds as though there may be a problem with the reed switch built into the latch assembly inside your display bezel, which is supposed to put the Powerbook to sleep when you close the display. The switch is normally activated by a strong magnet inside the display latch button, but it sounds as though your switch is either being activated when it shouldn't by some other magnet in its near vicinity (this doesn't seem likely unless you have magnets strewn about your workspace), or is broken, and closes the circuit when it shouldn't. I would suggest taking your Powerbook to an Apple dealership for a look-over or calling one or more of the shops listed below for advice. If the switch is bad, the repair is definitely a job for a technician — it's not a do-it-yourself proposition at all.
http://www.pbparts.com (parts and repair work)
http://www.dttservice.com (parts and repair work)
http://www.powerbookresq.com (parts and repair work)
http://www.powerbookmedic.com (parts and repair work)
http://www.tekserve.com (parts and repair work)

Computer Not Turning On w/ Power Chord

My G4 went to sleep w/o warning (the same issue as this thread post?!?!) and now WILL NOT WAKE UP?! (yes I am aware of this "defect" via other posts).
Any idea why?
Here's what I tried to troubleshoot:
1. A diff power chord
2. Taking battery out and restarting w/ power chord only
3. Taking battery out and replacing, using w/ and w/o power chord
Now I'm pretty sure my battery life was about 40% when it went to sleep - which suggests that maybe my battery is at the end of it's life ... however if that were true, it is NOT turning on with the powerchords (2) that I tried. Help!!!
Let me know ... I have a mac account "holubc" if you want to email me (or cc: me) directly, thanks! --- chris

This was posted on another thread from
mbrun
Posts: 21
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Oct 7, 2004
Re: Computer keeps going into sleep mode
Posted: Dec 24, 2006 10:21 AM in response to: Chris Holub1
Reply Email
Chris-Can't be sure it's the same thing with that information. But, to recover from the unwaking sleep mode first unplug from the power chord. Take out your battery. Wait until the pulsing sleep indicator light turns off. Now put your battery back in and plug in your power chord and start up. That should work (if not, you have bigger issues). You'll need to check your log for the overtemp warning to see if you have the narcoleptic Powerbook problem.
To everyone else, here are a couple of points to keep in mind (based on my experience and research).
1. If you see the overtemp message in your log you have this problem. If not, it's another issue.
2. Things that won't solve it: A new battery, a new motherboard, software re-install, OS upgrade (it doesn't matter what OS X version) hard drive wipe.
3. The solution: new trackpad sensor (i.e. new topcase, since they are integrated)
4. Suggestions if you don't have warranty or AppleCare coverage: Keep hounding Apple (they are among the best in service). Provide documentation of your system log error as well as what you have found from these discussions. Be persistant. Insist on talking to someone at the next "tier" of support. Apple may not issue a huge recall or similar that covera all who call with the problem, but with determination you can get them to see it is common issue they need to take care of for free. Insist on it.
4. Suggestions if you have warranty or AppleCare coverage: Get your top case replaced. That's it.

White screen of death, unable to restore

OK, as the topic states I have the dreaded white screen of death on my G5 iPod video. I had a Powerbook problem that required me to reload all of my software and when I did, I inadvertantly updated iTunes and therefore also updated my iPod. I have always heard to avoid the updates since they may cause glitches and now I'll be much more careful in the future.
I have tried everything I can find on this site and others. I tried the simple reset about 100 times and also putting the iPod into disk mode. When resetting the Apple never appears BTW. In disk mode I can finally see it in iTunes (and on my desktop) but I get the 1418 (?) error when trying to restore. I am unable to erase/restore with disk utility. I can see my iPod under Disk Utility (the size/name/etc) but anytime I try to do anything with it I get an error. I never formatted it for Windows so I can't try those methods. I've tried every combo of button presses, unplugging/reconnecting part way through restore, deleteing iPod updater files, letting the battery drain for several days. Nothing works. White screen resets back to white screen. Or white screen (menu/select) to (select/play) for disk mode which is a dim white screen (kinda gray). BTW....it's out of warranty and the local Apple Store doesn't seem interested in helping me.
Any tips for me before I toss it in the trash and buy a Nano?

Fixed! Thanks for nothin....

Banding occuring with Lacie 321 as external monitor?

Please help me.
I have just purchased a Lacie 321 lcd monitor and everything was splendid until I decided to take a look at my pictures. This phase of this story is crucial, as I am a professional photgrapher and this new lcd monitor will be used to edit photos.
To my horror, I can clearly see banding on my photos. Initially I thought it was the problem with the image, so I took a look at other images. Same result. These photos were fine with a CRT and now with the Lacie 321, they are all banded.
I don't know if anyone has experienced a similar problem with their external lcd/tft monitors with their 1.67ghz powerbook. By the way, this is the "last" powerbook model (right before macbookk pro).
From the looks of it, this seems to be a powerbook problem and not a monitor problem...
Any help will be appreciated.
Ryu

Louie,
Thanks for your reply.
I checked the system profiler and this is what I found:
ATI Mobility Radeon 9700:
Chipset Model: ATY,RV360M11
Type: Display
Bus: AGP
VRAM (Total): 128 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x4e50
Revision ID: 0x0000
ROM Revision: 113-xxxxx-169
Displays:
LaCie 321:
Resolution: 1600 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
Depth: 32-bit Color
Core Image: Supported
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported
Rotation: Supported
Display:
Status: No display connected
I also checked the setting and it is currently now set to:
-1600X1200
-Millions (32bit)
-60 Hertz
Does this mean that the display is functioning correctly, but there is something wrong with the PB video card?
Ryu

Powerbook problems....

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