Won't turn on past the startup sound

Question

Hello,
I'm a student studying abroad right now in Senegal, part of Sub-saharan Africa (which might help for later on).
My iBook won't turn on past the startup apple noise (the daaaaauummm). When I press the power button it makes that noise, along with a minimal amount of internal processor noise, and then nothing past that. The internal noise basically stops, and nothing comes up on the monitor. This problem started yesterday--I was using my computer and then the screen started to go fuzzy and get static and then it just went blank. Although I said that I don't get anything past the startup noise, I think my computer is still on (even though it isn't doing anything) because if I want to get the startup noise again I have to force shutdown the computer (hold down the power button for 10 seconds). Furthermore, when I do get the startup noise, the lighted ring around where the power adapter plugs in goes from orange to yellow and stays yellow for a bit. However, no light illuminates around the power button on the computer.
At first I thought maybe there was a problem with my monitor. I followed two of Apple's troubleshooting steps, resetting my parameter RAM (I think holding control command P and R) as well as resetting my computer's PMU (shift control option and power button) and for both of those, I managed to actually get something on my screen--the apple with the gear around it popped up and stayed there, but then after about 3 seconds it got the same staticky and lines and then went black again. When I tried to replicate this by doing the exact same thing (for both solutions) I was not able to get past the startup sound (ie the screen stayed blank) and it was back to square one.
Basically, I'm stumped. There are power cuts here in Senegal, along with subsequent power surges when the power comes back on, which lead my Dad to think that maybe my motherboard got fried. However, there is a power adapter on the cord which should block against that. Furthermore, that won't explain why the laptop was working right before it fritzed out on me, even though it was not plugged in. I'm thinking that maybe there might be a bug in my computer (like a physical one that crawled in). I am thinking this because there are bugs that crawl around my computer and under my keys (it's not as gross as it sounds--well actually I guess it is...) and furthermore I was out of town this past weekend so my computer was sitting idly in my room. Could it be that a bug actually made it deeper into my computer? But also, that still wouldn't explain why I was able to make it work on Monday.
I will be here in Senegal for 3 more weeks, but I would like to use my computer before then. Is there anything I can try to fix myself here, or will I have to wait until I get back to the states. Is there anyway for me to al least get some of the stuff off of my harddrive--that's all I really care about? Obviously, there isn't an apple store here in Dakar, Senegal, for me to take it to--although there are a few computer places but it seems like Apples aren't too popular here, and so I'm not sure how effective/knowledgeable they'd be with a Mac. Plus I'd have to explain all of this in French, which wouldn't necessarily be the easiest thing.
Thank you sooo much,
Chris
And for my operating system, I'm not sure if I clicked the right one, but I know I'm on one of the newer ones (not the newest though)
iBook 12"   Mac OS X (10.4.3)   bought in 2002
iBook 12"   Mac OS X (10.4.3)   bought in 2002

Answer 1

Hi, Chris. Welcome to Apple Discussions.
It sounds like you may be having logic board problems. 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.
Since it is past the three-year time limit, try calling 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.
You may want to consider trying the shim fix suggested by John Sawyer elsewhere here in the 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:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/50.5.0.html
Once you get it fixed, try never to pick it up by the left front corner alone. Rumor has it that can contribute to logic board failure when the case flexes, causing the graphics chip to come loose from the logic board. If you're picking it up in your left hand (as I often do mine), pick it up in the center under the trackpad.
Good luck. Let us know how things go.