Serious problems with my iBook G4
Hi. I've had my iBook G4 (1 GHz) since summer 2004. It worked great for a long time and I've really loved it.
Then around February of this year, the problems started.
The first two problems were: the CD drive started caving in toward the center, making it difficult to insert or remove CDs. In order to eject a CD, I usually have to grab the middle of the drive opening with my fingers and spread it apart, and quickly move my hand once the CD is ready to come out. So its annoying, but I can live with it.
Then, the computer start running noticably slow, and I look in disc utility and see that S.M.A.R.T. status for my hard drive is "failing".
So, I purchase a new hard drive from eBay, and swap out the drive using guides I found online (iFixit.com)
It worked again until April, when I was working on my computer when suddenly I saw a flash of scan lines running across the screen, and then everything went black. I tried various key combinations, to get the computer to respond and eventually shut it down by holding the power key.
From then on, everytime I turned on the computer, I would get one of three results:
1) The computer booted up normally, but then it said that the clock had been reset. Then at some point I would see the scan lines again and the computer would stop responding.
2) I'd be able to hear what sounded like normal computer noises, but nothing would come up on the screen.
3) The fans would run at a high noise level until I took the battery out.
So after looking around online, I decided that it was probably Logic Board failure, so I took it to an authorized Apple repair center.
There, I was told that it was the Logic Board (because of the clock resetting) and that it would cost about $800 to fix, so I might as well buy a new computer.
I couldn't afford that, so I ended up buying a 1.2 Ghz Logic Board from eBay for about $300.
After a tricky installation (I had to replace some cables and the top case with the track pad in order to get the new Logic Board to work with my old computer) everything was working again.
It worked fabulously for about two weeks.
Then it started again. Scan lines, black screen.
I've tried every suggestion on Apples website (resetting PRAM, booting up from OS X CD, etc.)
nothing works.
I am so frustrated.
Does anyone have any idea what to do next? I've thought about changing the AC Board, since that's basically the only board that I haven't replaced.
Thanks so much for your help.
Then around February of this year, the problems started.
The first two problems were: the CD drive started caving in toward the center, making it difficult to insert or remove CDs. In order to eject a CD, I usually have to grab the middle of the drive opening with my fingers and spread it apart, and quickly move my hand once the CD is ready to come out. So its annoying, but I can live with it.
Then, the computer start running noticably slow, and I look in disc utility and see that S.M.A.R.T. status for my hard drive is "failing".
So, I purchase a new hard drive from eBay, and swap out the drive using guides I found online (iFixit.com)
It worked again until April, when I was working on my computer when suddenly I saw a flash of scan lines running across the screen, and then everything went black. I tried various key combinations, to get the computer to respond and eventually shut it down by holding the power key.
From then on, everytime I turned on the computer, I would get one of three results:
1) The computer booted up normally, but then it said that the clock had been reset. Then at some point I would see the scan lines again and the computer would stop responding.
2) I'd be able to hear what sounded like normal computer noises, but nothing would come up on the screen.
3) The fans would run at a high noise level until I took the battery out.
So after looking around online, I decided that it was probably Logic Board failure, so I took it to an authorized Apple repair center.
There, I was told that it was the Logic Board (because of the clock resetting) and that it would cost about $800 to fix, so I might as well buy a new computer.
I couldn't afford that, so I ended up buying a 1.2 Ghz Logic Board from eBay for about $300.
After a tricky installation (I had to replace some cables and the top case with the track pad in order to get the new Logic Board to work with my old computer) everything was working again.
It worked fabulously for about two weeks.
Then it started again. Scan lines, black screen.
I've tried every suggestion on Apples website (resetting PRAM, booting up from OS X CD, etc.)
nothing works.
I am so frustrated.
Does anyone have any idea what to do next? I've thought about changing the AC Board, since that's basically the only board that I haven't replaced.
Thanks so much for your help.
Comments
Originally posted by grizled
Hi. I've had my iBook G4 (1 GHz) since summer 2004. It worked great for a long time and I've really loved it.
Then around February of this year, the problems started.
The first two problems were: the CD drive started caving in toward the center, making it difficult to insert or remove CDs. In order to eject a CD, I usually have to grab the middle of the drive opening with my fingers and spread it apart, and quickly move my hand once the CD is ready to come out. So its annoying, but I can live with it.
Then, the computer start running noticably slow, and I look in disc utility and see that S.M.A.R.T. status for my hard drive is "failing".
So, I purchase a new hard drive from eBay, and swap out the drive using guides I found online (iFixit.com)
It worked again until April, when I was working on my computer when suddenly I saw a flash of scan lines running across the screen, and then everything went black. I tried various key combinations, to get the computer to respond and eventually shut it down by holding the power key.
From then on, everytime I turned on the computer, I would get one of three results:
1) The computer booted up normally, but then it said that the clock had been reset. Then at some point I would see the scan lines again and the computer would stop responding.
2) I'd be able to hear what sounded like normal computer noises, but nothing would come up on the screen.
3) The fans would run at a high noise level until I took the battery out.
So after looking around online, I decided that it was probably Logic Board failure, so I took it to an authorized Apple repair center.
There, I was told that it was the Logic Board (because of the clock resetting) and that it would cost about $800 to fix, so I might as well buy a new computer.
I couldn't afford that, so I ended up buying a 1.2 Ghz Logic Board from eBay for about $300.
After a tricky installation (I had to replace some cables and the top case with the track pad in order to get the new Logic Board to work with my old computer) everything was working again.
It worked fabulously for about two weeks.
Then it started again. Scan lines, black screen.
I've tried every suggestion on Apples website (resetting PRAM, booting up from OS X CD, etc.)
nothing works.
I am so frustrated.
Does anyone have any idea what to do next? I've thought about changing the AC Board, since that's basically the only board that I haven't replaced.
Thanks so much for your help.
Explain scanlines further. If they're moving, then try replacing the inverter/inverter cable. If they're not, try reattaching/replacing the video data cable.
-t
At this point, I just have a black screen when I turn the computer on. I put the OS X CD in and it took it, but now the computer doesn't respond when I try to eject it.
Thanks so much for the help!
Originally posted by grizled
Hmmm.. I don't think the scan lines are moving, but when I do see them, it's very brief.
At this point, I just have a black screen when I turn the computer on. I put the OS X CD in and it took it, but now the computer doesn't respond when I try to eject it.
Thanks so much for the help!
plug in an external monitor. you'll find out if the fault is limited to the screen. and get that damned service manual.
I found the service manual for Early 2004 iBooks which should be close enough...
It looks like checking the DC Board would be a good idea.
Originally posted by Tag Me Back
plug in an external monitor. you'll find out if the fault is limited to the screen. and get that damned service manual.
OK, nothing comes up on the external monitor, so it's not limited to the screen.
Does the fact that the clock resets to 1969 guarantee that this is a Logic Board failure, or could that just be because I've been taking the battery out to shut the computer off?
Originally posted by grizled
Does the fact that the clock resets to 1969 guarantee that this is a Logic Board failure, or could that just be because I've been taking the battery out to shut the computer off?
No, for ages Apple laptops have gone without a backup battery, only using a capacitor that will keep the clock going for long enough to swap a battery.
David
Originally posted by grizled
OK, well I'm going to buy a new DC board and try that, unless anyone has a better idea.
Nowhere in the proper service manual does it suggest doing this. But, it's your money. I strongly suggest you try replacing or at least reseating your LVDS and backlight cables.
Originally posted by Tag Me Back
Nowhere in the proper service manual does it suggest doing this. But, it's your money. I strongly suggest you try replacing or at least reseating your LVDS and backlight cables.
Well, I'll try reseating those cables too, but in the manual I got, it suggests checking the DC board if "the computer will not power on", and suggests checking the LVDS and backlight cables if there is "no display, but computer appears to operate correctly." I don't think the computer is operating correctly.
I'll let you know if anything works.
Thanks for the help!
It will be good if there is anyone that can point out the brand and model of that battery and where is the best place to get a good deal.
P.S
This should be done as a last resort. You could possible make the problem worse if done incorrectly.
I hope this helps!
Fred