StevieB from ABQ

I got this laptop from a friend. She said it was dead. My first thought was the battery thus I have checked and OEM...

I have 2 RAM chips (2 GB PC3-10600S-09-11-b2) from an upgrade. My A1342 has 2 1GB PC3-8500 RAM chips. Could I use the...

This question was asked and the answer didn't solve my problem thus asking it again. I got this Mac (A1342) from a friend...

This may not be something this forum can answer but I am getting the following error when attempting to update JAVA on my...

Another question about my daughter's PB. The airport card sees her wireless network but will not connect to it thus no...

I see that Rick asked a similar question (21 Feb or so) and has not provided additional details so here is my problem,...

I have searched hi and low and can only find my daughter's 15/17" PowerBook install disk for 10.4. 'Course it won't let me...

When I run my install program off of the disk, while I can 'see' the USB drive, it will not allow me to install onto it. I...

PowerBook G4 Aluminum 12" 1.33 GHz System 10.3 320 GB HD 1.256 GM Memory Recently upgraded the optical drive to a DL...

Are there any differences between jumpers? Specifically, I need a jumper for a 2.5" HD. I have several jumpers from...

OK, she replaced the battery and now the computer works normally. Sees the network, connects...even keeps the correct time and date. Now I am really confused... Any one know why?

OK, she replaced the battery and now the computer works normally. Sees the network, connects...even keeps the correct time and date. Now I am really confused... (similar post on my other thread.)

I put a 1 G chip into my 12" PB, 1.33 GHz. Got the chip off Amazon, fairly cheap if I remember. I think it was about 38 bucks plus shipping, less then 42 bucks total. I also put a dual layer burner into it also. It runs great, even running Leopard.

I have a Dually 1 GHz Quicksilver running Leopard. It has 1.5 G of RAM. I also have 3 HD's installed, one is a 1TB SETA (I got an adaptor that allows the SETA to connect to an IDE ribbon). Total GB's is 200 GB, 300 GB and the 1TB, total 1.5 TB. I have access to all the HD's, not limited in space. While a bit slow, it does everything I need it to do. Assuming your G4's can use larger HD's, they make great machines.

The DC-IN board is very straight forward to replace. The instructions on this site are excellent. And you CAN do it yourself. Just make sure you have a grounding strap and a good set of drivers, phillips and Torx-recommend going to Lowe's/Home Depot and pick up Husky's 8 in 1 drivers, the flat/phillips goes down to #000, and the Torx gives the various sizes needed. Torx are not needed as much so I use the handle for my #00 and the #000 in the other. I also keep my allen wrenches handy. The instructions usually only listed the #00 phillips but trust me, you can use the #000 for the really small screws. Print out the associated screw guide and get some double sided tape (holds the screws onto the sheet in case you bump it or the wind blows) to tape onto each screw area. And a Spudger (plastic). I use my tupperware peeler with good results. Took me 40 minutes start to finish but then again I've taken several mac laptops apart previously.

I used a jumper I had from a 3.5" drive. Set it for cable select. It works. Go Figure.

OK, To close this out. I found this video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE8FJDRWp... . It is one of three (this one is clip 2). It is a YouTube video of a 12/14" iBook G4 disassembly. Quite good. It certainly augments the written instructions. At the 2:45 minute point is clearly shows the magnet I forgot to re-install. Recommend the site instructions be updated to include this magnet.

My 12" PB got dropped from about 5 feet by a porter and then failed to come on. When I pushed the 'on' button, I'd hear a couple of clicks, feel the HD spin up but nothing else. No screen, non-responsive to keys and had to not only unplug it, had to remove the battery to turn off. The top of the unit where the HD sits got EXTREMELY hot. Was told by a 'repair' shop that the motherboard was damaged and it would be cheaper to get a newer machine than repair the PB. That was 15 months ago. A couple of weeks ago I salvaged parts (memory and optical) to upgrade an iBook and put the old parts back in the PB for practice/experience. I thought what the heck, wonder if it now works?? And it did!! Must have been a connection that got knocked loose. Not saying if your situation is the same but the optical removal was nearly a complete teardown so most if not all the connections were 'broken' and then remade. Couldn't hurt to try on yours. If it does not work, what have you got to lose other than time. Think of the...

iFixit has detailed instructions for tear down and how to open up an optical drive. Not sure as to how comfortable you are with being a 'do it yourselfer' but my limited dealings with computer stores is that their technicians are not more competent than I am. With the correct tools (Lowe’s has some 8-1 tool kits for the flat/Phillips head screwdrivers (#1, #0, #00 and #000) as well Torx 8-1 tool kits) and a little fearless attitude, you can do nearly all replacements/repairs yourself. Will definitely need a grounding wrist band to shunt off any static (CRITICAL) and plastic ‘pry tool’ (like spudger, I use a Tupperware orange peeler). A soft pad to lay the computer on while working on it. AND read the instructions at least twice BEFORE starting. Piece of cake….(grin)

It also will run Leopard but will be a slower computer than if it was running Tiger. I'm downgrading all my G4's back to Tiger (still can't find my disks, wonder if the ex-wife took 'em?, by accident I am sure). I believe they are all running slower because of Leopard, especially the Dually. I'm running Leopard on a Dually G4 1 GHz QuickSilver, a 1.33 GHz G4 12" Alum PowerBook and a 1.2 GHz G4 iBook. My 12" MacBook came with 10.5.4. I really liked it and per Apple, all the others will run Leopard since they all meet the min requirements, I ran out and got the family pack. Upgraded the daughter's 15" PB and 14" iBook but may recommend they go back to Tiger also.