PowerBook Upgrade and Repair Guides 156
kwiens writes "We had such a positive response from Slashdot with our Free-As-In-Beer Mac disassembly instructions last time around, we decided to do it again: We've made six more FixIt Guides, perfect for those intrepid road-warriors who refuse to trust anyone else to work on their 'Book. Now there's nothing stopping you from trying that LNO2 overclock on your PowerBook-- or just a hard drive upgrade. The new Guides have professional photos, a new GUI design, and screw guides (no, not this). Guides are now available for all iBook G3, PowerBook G3, and PowerBook G4 models (including the oft-requested 12, 15, and 17 Aluminum 'Books)."
Short upgrade guide (Score:2, Funny)
2. ???
3. Profit!
This is ridiculous. (Score:5, Funny)
I'm serious! There's a taser in there that zaps you in the butt if you try!
Re:This is ridiculous. (Score:1)
Re:This is ridiculous. (Score:3, Funny)
I kinda like it, really...
Re:This is ridiculous. (Score:4, Funny)
Re:This is ridiculous. (Score:3, Informative)
err, thing = think... N/T (Score:2)
How about NORMAL laptops? (Score:1, Funny)
Too much to ask?
Re:How about NORMAL laptops? (Score:5, Informative)
Considering how Apple treats it's customers (Score:5, Informative)
At least in Germany you have to pay at least 350 Euros if you want Apple to repair your 'book that is older then one year. Of course it's very well possible that you have to pay even more if something seriouse is broken, but even if just a part costing 5 Cents and taking two minutes to replace is broken you'll still have to pay 350 bucks.
To sum it up, I really like Apple's hardware, I really like OSX but personally I'll never buy anything from Apple again.
Re:Considering how Apple treats it's customers (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Considering how Apple treats it's customers (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Considering how Apple treats it's customers (Score:5, Informative)
Depends where you get it from - not Germany, but I bought my iBook from John Lewis [johnlewis.com] here in the UK. Two year repair-or-replacement warranty for free.
It really pays to shop around.
The BEST BUY and COMPUSA answer to the problem. (Score:5, Funny)
What?? You decline? WOW, NOBODY has EVER declined this before. Are you sure? Can you tell me why you've declined? Geeze, let me tell you about all the risks of turning this down.
(other floor guy walks up)
Hey, this guys buying this laptop without the extended warranty. (Glances exchanged.) No way! Yep. Does he know about all the things that could happen if something breaks. Yep, I told him but he says he doesn't want it. Wow, I don't know if anyone has ever declined it before.
(trying to get to check out with laptop in escort, manager walks up.)
Hey, Bob told me you are passing on the extended warranty. This is a very expensive items so there are a few things we have to cover before you buy it. Do you know if it breaks you'll have to cover all shipping expenses to and from the service center? That laptop has lithium batteries so there are hazardous shipping charges involved. It can take weeks to get it repaired. It's very odd for someone to turn down the extended warranties. Are you sure? Well, I have to inform you of all the potential risks of buying without the extended warranty.
Re:The BEST BUY and COMPUSA answer to the problem. (Score:5, Funny)
(talking to salesdroid)
Well, I realize it is helpful, but I'm already spending 2000$ on this laptop, $350 for a warranty is out of my budget...
(salsedroid)
Well, I can knock $150 off of the laptop,,
(me)
deal...
(1 week later)
I'd like to return this warranty
(them(
Ok, we've credited $360 to your account...
Motto:
Use the force. Like...
Re:The BEST BUY and COMPUSA answer to the problem. (Score:3, Insightful)
If this thing is such a piece of crap that it breaks so often that you guys think the extended warranty is going to be a good deal, I'll pass. Can you direct me to the location of your nearest competitor, please?
Re:Considering how Apple treats it's customers (Score:5, Insightful)
I don't see how this is different from other products that have a one year guarantee.
Re:Considering how Apple treats it's customers (Score:4, Insightful)
Maybe I could've bought an extended warranty, but I thought I'd take the chance. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. I think it's a bit childish to start whining in a public forum when you decided to take the chance and lost.
OTOH if they refuse to cooperate within the guarantee, then you fully stand in your rights.
Re:Considering how Apple treats it's customers (Score:2)
Re:Considering how Apple treats it's customers (Score:2)
Re:Considering how Apple treats it's customers (Score:5, Interesting)
My PowerBook (a 550) had several dead pixels, and I reported this to my local apple reseller after 18 months. They told me to call apple support, so I did.
I talked for 5 minutes to a lovely girl on Ireland, she mailed me an "extended warranty" something paper, and then Apple (through my local store) replaced my screen for free. The warranty had expired 6 months ago, and they still did it for free.
The lovely irish girl only asked one question, "Were there any dead pixels on the screen before the warranty expired", and i (truthfully) answered yes. End of discussion.
Apple does take good care of non-Apple-care customers as well.
Re:Considering how Apple treats it's customers (Score:3, Funny)
Forget the damn laptop, get her number!
Irish chicks are hot.
That's just wrong. (Score:5, Funny)
But I ain't taking apart my 17" powerbook. No way. I can't even stand looking at those pictures of somebody's grubby hands taking apart that powerbook, and all the sensitive guts exposed.
I know, it's just a motherboard and a hard drive, and all the stuff that's in my other computers. But no there's got to be something magical in there too, something you can't see, something that escapes when you open it.
And what if I were to get a screwdriver near it and
Stop looking at me like that!
Love it... (Score:5, Informative)
I don't know how many times in the last six months I've heard idiots on IRC claim powerbook 12 inch models don't have fans because apple skimped on the design.
It's nice to be able to show proof. All hail intarweb.
Re:Love it... (Score:2)
Re:Love it... (Score:3, Funny)
Sounds like perfect placement to me.......
I think you need a new wife not a different laptop.....
Re:Love it... (Score:1)
This fucking thing is TAKING OFF right now.
Re:Love it... (Score:2, Insightful)
Do NOT follow this guide! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Do NOT follow this guide! (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Do NOT follow this guide! (Score:2)
Maybe we need a howto for that.
Re:Do NOT follow this guide! (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Do NOT follow this guide! (Score:5, Informative)
"No warrantor may condition the continued validity of a warranty on the use of only authorized repair service and/or authorized replacement parts for non-warranty service and maintenance. For example, provisions such as, 'This warranty is void if service is performed by anyone other than an authorized "ABC" dealer and all replacement parts must be genuine "ABC" parts,' and the like, are prohibited where the service or parts are not covered by the warranty. These provisions violate the Act in two ways. First, they violate the section 102 (c) ban against tying arrangements. Second, such provisions are deceptive under section 110 of the Act, because a warrantor cannot, as a matter of law, avoid liability under a written warranty where a defect is unrelated to the use by a consumer of "unauthorized" articles or service. This does not preclude a warrantor from expressly excluding liability for defects or damage caused by such "unauthorized" articles or service; nor does it preclude the warrantor from denying liability where the warrantor can demonstrate that the defect or damage was so caused."
Re:Do NOT follow this guide! (Score:3, Informative)
wow... (Score:2)
Re:Do NOT follow this guide! (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Do NOT follow this guide! (Score:1)
Re:Do NOT follow this guide! (Score:2, Funny)
You lost your Warranty? Maybe it's in your sock drawer. That's where I keep all my important paperwork. Where do you last remember seeing it?
Re:Do NOT follow this guide! (Score:5, Interesting)
I would like to point out not a single one of the "it will void your warranty" people relay an account of being denied warranty service on an Apple computer. It's all just a bunch of hypothetical neck-talk.
What we do see in the realm of actual experience is that cracking the case in fact did not void Apple's warranty. I would like to add my actual experience here.
With my old TiPB, I actually followed the instructions in the manual for replacing my hard drive. I installed a non-factory 7200 RPM drive (not even offered on the PB I had), without an Apple sticker on it. While I was in there, I completely disassembled the unit, just to feed that kid inside me that wants to take everything apart. Put it back together, no screws left over, btw.
Months later, I sent it DIRECTLY to Apple for a warranty repair. It was repaired and sent back to me. In less than 3 days, I might add (that was a jab at all the other "experts" that say Apple doesn't repair quickly). Not once did they mention the user-servicing of my system. Oh, and they did throw in a new battery because the foot had come off the battery.
Re:Do NOT follow this guide! (Score:3, Informative)
You're right. Before buying my Powerbook, I asked one of the salesdroids at the local Apple store if replacing the hard drive on my own would void the warranty. He emphasized the point that I could take it completely apart and it would not void the warranty. However, if I damaged it in the process of
Re:Do NOT follow this guide! (Score:2)
No need to be an asshole about it (and doubly lame hiding behind AC while doing it). I'm just reporting what I was told. If you have any evidence to the contrary (site the wording in the LAW that contradicts what I was told), then by all means, post it. If not, go fuck yourself.
iBook G4 (Score:1)
I will be doing a hdd upgrade at some point though.
Re:iBook G4 (Score:1)
Not for unexperienced users (Score:4, Funny)
12" Powebook noise level reduction (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:12" Powebook noise level reduction (Score:1)
Re:12" Powebook noise level reduction (Score:1, Funny)
Re:12" Powebook noise level reduction (Score:3, Informative)
Re:12" Powebook noise level reduction (Score:2)
Re:12" Powebook noise level reduction (Score:1)
Re:12" Powebook noise level reduction (Score:1)
NO2 is nitrogen dioxide; nitrogen is N2 (Score:2, Funny)
Re:NO2 is nitrogen dioxide; nitrogen is N2 (Score:1)
iBook G4 upgrades? (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:iBook G4 upgrades? (Score:2)
Re:iBook G4 upgrades? (Score:1)
Re:iBook G4 upgrades? (Score:2)
Re:iBook G4 upgrades? (Score:2, Informative)
IIRC, you need to start by removing the memory shield under the keyboard and any memory that may be in there, and then removing the keyboard itself. You'll have to take off the bottom case (this is wh
What about ol-skool tiBooks? (Score:2, Interesting)
I've replaced the case on my aging rev-a 400mhz (hacked to 500) tiBook
You 'new-skool' alBook (HATE that moniker, and the new PB case) don't know how good you got it
I keep 'wanting' to upgrade (as if I could afford it) to a new powerbook, b
Re:What about ol-skool tiBooks? (Score:2, Informative)
Just goes to show: never buy the first-generation "wow cool" product release
Fix defective out-of-warranty parts (Score:2, Interesting)
Rubber-banding it all this time, I'd been planning on a hack to solve the jack problem - but this site has complete instr
Color (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Color (Score:1)
See the following link:
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/ibook_mods/i
One Piece of Advice (Score:5, Informative)
Use an ice cube tray (or two) for all of the screws, separating them by size, and draw detailed charts and notes as to where each one came from.
If you don't do this, you won't get it back together. Good luck!
Re:One Piece of Advice (Score:1, Funny)
Worked great for me, i only had two screws left when i finished reassmebling my iBook.
Screw Loose (Score:2)
Different methods will work for different people - my prefered method when working on a new model would be:
1. Make sure you have plenty of clear flat space - preferably 3-4 times the footprint of the device your disassembling.
2. As you remove screws from the device place them relative to the component you are removing - so if I'm going to take the base off, I will put if above where I'm working with the screws around where I will be putting the base, with the top left screw next the top left corner, etc..
Comments on Opening a 15" AlBook (Score:5, Informative)
I recently opened up my AlBook (15") to hopefully to upgrade from a combo drive to a super drive. Lemmie tell you - opening up this case is HARD! Undoing all of the right screws is nothing, but removing the top deck with those tabs [pbfixit.com] - It's murder. I scratched the heck out of my computer and even when I took it to my Apple-Certified technicians (Yes, they claim there's a special tool for unclipping those little metal tabs.) they scratched the heck out of my computer and bent the bit of metal above the CD slot.
If anyone knows more details about a magic tool to help "pop the top" on an AlBook - Please, let the world know about it. Otherwise, I strongly recommend you get a thin plastic-coated pry bar for popping those tabs, and DON'T use a lot of force.
Re:Comments on Opening a 15" AlBook (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Comments on Opening a 15" AlBook (Score:5, Informative)
AFAIK, there isn't a special tool to get that damn tab to pop the Service Source take apart guides don't indicate that there is one either. Even harder is putting it back together.
We took a long, sharp, pushpin and put a 90 degree bend on the last 1/4 " or so of it. Now we can reach in through the CD slot and hook onto the tabs with less cursing, swearing, and yelling.
FWIW, we have a list of people at Apple (like "The guy who designed the 12" PB" and such) that we plan to punch in the face if we ever meet them.
Oops, no mention of CPU thermal transfer tape need (Score:5, Informative)
And they say to replace the heatsink. just do the reverse.
Well, NO. Apple made it very easy to break the contact between CPU and heatsink, even accidentally, and once that's impaired overheating is going to become a problem.
Look for posts in MacFixit forums, about G3s, Powerlogix, heatsinks, thermal transfer -- best advice I've seen has been put together by a fellow named Bruce Miller.
Quietness (Score:3, Funny)
third party... (Score:2, Informative)
the laptop cost $2k canadian.
i was a little worried about theft and if i dropped it since those weren't covered.
so i got third party insurance from an insurance company that covers EVERYTHING for about $100 one time payment. (lasts about 2 years)
much cheaper than most extended warranties
I just used these last week. (Score:1)
These fixit guides greatly simplified and illuminated the process.
Not that it is hard to generally take things apart and put them back together, but when you are trying to make a decision on wether to pry something up or not... it is nice to know someone has gone through the trouble of telli
DVD burner upgrade (Score:2)
Re:DVD burner upgrade (Score:2)
Not going to work. (Score:1)
So much for a hard drive upgrade. Good luck finding a SCSI laptop drive at any reasonable cost.
I guess my PowerBook will just remain as it is.
Re:Not going to work. (Score:1)
Rare as hens' teeth today.
In the butt? (Score:1, Flamebait)
Out of stock: iBook G3 12" Combo Drive (Score:1)
It's not the fastest laptop on the planet, but a Combo (DVD/CD-RW) drive [pbfixit.com] is about the only thing I miss on my circa. end-of-2001 iBook G3 600 MHz (I've upgraded it with additional RAM [pbfixit.com] and an Airport card [pbfixit.com].
Does anyone know if there are other suppliers of Combo Drives for the G3 iBooks? Australian suppliers would be preferred, but not essential.
More Disassemblies of Laptops, PDAs, Cell Phones.. (Score:3, Informative)
This guide is great but could add ome thing (Score:2)
AIRPORT ANTENA UPGRADE!!!
The biggest issue I have with my "slow" 400 Mhz G4 TiBook, (Generation 1 celebrating it's 4 year birthday in January) is not the graphics or the CPU, it's the 802.11b range. With a high-gain antena upgrade to the base station, it is better, but how about some upgrade to the laptop antena too!
Re:Paint fix (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Paint fix (Score:4, Informative)
TiPaint (Score:4, Informative)
Re:I can't help but object to Apple's culture (Score:2, Interesting)
That's a good point, even though your other sentence is a little weird. It also makes me wonder what enthusiasts (like those here on Slashdot) see in Apple. Sure, OS X is a great OS, but Macs as hardware disempower the hobbyist compared to equivalent devices. Same goes for
Re:I can't help but object to Apple's culture (Score:5, Insightful)
I've had my oft-mentioned iBook for a bit over six months now; it is quite probably the best computer I've ever had. Yes, it's got very little upgrade potential (memory's already at 640MB, and I don't need wireless networking) but I really don't mind.
In a way, it's like there isn't a computer there at all, just MacOS X in a handy carrying case. It just works. The battery last absolutely ages, so I'm not worrying about when it's about to run out; it's incredibly quiet, so I can work without a constant computer whir and hum; all the hardware features I need are built in, so I'm not messing around with external cards or devices, fighting with incompatible devices...
I can forget there's a computer there, and get on working with the software.
People claim that Apple is a hardware company, I think I'd disagree. with MacOS X, they're a software company - except the software has a solid, physical presence in the real world.
Re:I can't help but object to Apple's culture (Score:2)
And that's what I'm talking about. It's a consumer device, totally functional (that is, no compatibility issues) as it is. If you just want to use its software, Apple is effective. My comment is that both Apple's skillful design and closed-up hardware ensure that that hardwa
Re:I can't help but object to Apple's culture (Score:2)
Well... That's not entirely true. The Powermacs are very easy for the average user to pop open and muck around with, even the new
Re:I can't help but object to Apple's culture (Score:2, Interesting)
It also makes me wonder what enthusiasts (like those here on Slashdot) see in Apple [equipment].
It's well designed, stylistically pleasing, functional and high performing.
Sure, OS X is a great OS, but Macs as hardware disempower the hobbyist compared to equivalent devices.
Mainly if you're a hobbyist modder who goes in for xenon lights on their fans. There's nothing wrong with doing so but is everyone meant to hobby around building their computers from parts?
I speak from experience when I say so
Re:I can't help but object to Apple's culture (Score:1)
I've been thinking about getting a SATA drive for my MDD as it's almost out of space. Would you be able to tell me which SATA controller you used?
Thanks!
What a load... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:What a load... (Score:2)
Re:I can't help but object to Apple's culture (Score:2, Insightful)
However, If you ext
Re:I can't help but object to Apple's culture (Score:1)
Simple; their stuff does its job, its job being simple reliable function. Requiring 0 fettling.
Leaving me free to expend my fettling time on things that need it, and things that I don't need constantly working (i.e. not in mid-fettle limbo)
Wintel/WinAMD cannot do this; I spend too long hunting spyware/virus scanning/updating.
Linux cannot do this; I have to work out how to do too much (i.e. I want video drivers; recompi
Re: (Score:2)
Re:I can't help but object to Apple's culture (Score:1, Funny)
That's not the reason. You get modded down for being an ASSHOLE.
Re:I can't help but object to Apple's culture (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Wow.. that's interesting.. (Score:3, Insightful)
Odds are your discman, although cheaper, is service unfriendly. When was the last time you replaced a part in a discman?
Now when was the last time you replaced a part in your laptop? Probably slightly less frequently than your desktop, and slightly more frequently than your discman/ipod.
Some products are designed to be serviced - some to be replaced
Re:Wow.. that's interesting.. (Score:4, Insightful)
The reason people get upset over stuff like this is simple though: you didn't pay $400 for that discman.
If it breaks, I'll just toss it and get myself a new one for $30 at Walmart. You just expect cheap CEs to have a very limited lifespan. No biggie, they're cheap. That's why you bought them in the first place. Having to replace them every once in a while is no surprise.
If you're buying an iPod though (and I absolutely love mine), you're not just buying any ole MP3 player. You're buying a design, an image and I'd even say, in a way, you're buying an experience. The big deal isn't $400 (which is a lot of dough to many people, but - in comparision to other CE items (big screen TVs, good stereo equipment, etc) - isn't really all that much money).
You just expect more for those $400. Afterall, you're not buying some $250 clone, you're getting the original, the real deal. And if you pay extra for it, you just want it to work.
If my the $200 TV you keep in your kitchen breaks, you probably won't even think about getting it fixed. You'll just replace it. If your $10k+ big screen projector breaks, you'd probably be really pissed if the dealership you bought it from told you to "just buy a new one" (and rightfully so).
Again, I'm not disagreeing. Just offering some perspective.
Re:Wow.. that's interesting.. (Score:2)