The best laptop I have ever owned, my iBook G4 (last iBook model produced 1.33ghz, etc.), has called it quits after over three years of virtually flawless operation and heavy, daily use. I hadn't even considered replacing it, but in its present state it is almost unusable.
The facts are these:
- I've been through three power adapters (resulting from the only serious design flaw in the iBook line - a power jack that sticks out and is prone to getting damaged by getting banged into things and hauled out violently should anybody trip in it); this of course was addressed with the magnetic MagSafe adapters in the new MacBooks).
- The last adapter I bought was the WRONG type, thanks to a careless eBay seller. I was sent an adapter for a G3 laptop, (the generic G3/G4 adapters look almost identical) - and I, not knowing any better, proceeded to use it. It wasn't until after the damage was done (see below) that I checked the part # and realized it was incorrect.
- After about a week of use, the laptop developed a whining noise which seemed to come from that strip between the keyboard that the screen (with power button, speakers). This was accompanied by that "burny" metallic smell you sometimes get from overheated electronics.
- Now when I try to run the computer on AC it shuts off shortly after OS X starts up. The power icon switches rapidly back and forth from battery to AC, the screen goes from dim to bright a few times and the laptop looses power. Also, the battery will not charge. I can only assume that this is a result of using the G3 power adapter.
- My roommate incidentally has an identical iBook, and I've tried his adapter with the same result. HOWEVER, if I charge my battery in his computer, my laptop runs on battery power perfectly. So I'm sure it's an AC problem, and not RAM.
My questions is, what have I 'burnt out' using the wrong adapter? Is it the DC board, the logic board, the inverter, or something else? I've done plenty of research online and haven't been able to find a similar situation/problem.
Any thoughts? I would be SO grateful for even a guess.
I dunno. Those laptops can be tricky beasts. Sounds like maybe the DC board
and inverter. My mom used to have the same problem with her laptop-wonky
charging. and of course with that funny headphone-looking like DC plug, well
things got a little bent out of shape (hint, hint). Sometimes Apple gets the design
exactly right, other times, eh, well, not so much
Good luck fixing it.
I'd recommend you a place here in town, but I don't know where you live
so I can't do that
The iBook G3 AC adapter is compatible with the iBook G4. AC adapters that are not compatibles (from Pismos/Lombards/Clamshells and Titaniums G4) have a different tip 3.5 instead of 2.5 so you would not be able to connect the tip in your ibook DC board socket.
The ibook fan is located at the top center of the ibook top case. Are you sure your fan is still working ? Heat problem could be the reason why the ibook would shut down but the unit would have to work awhile before shutting down. I don't think it's an inverter issue but it could be a faulty DC board ($20 on ebay).
The fan is working fine, though it's been a little loud for about a year now. Remember, the iBook runs perfectly on battery power, which tells me that there problem lies in actually getting AC power to the notebook.
The G3 adapter I used has a jack that is too long. It doesn't fit properly, but it did power the iBook for a week before it died. I can't help but think there was some connection between the new adapter. Though it could have been a coincidence I guess .
At this point I'm thinking DC board, but I'm going to get another adapter too just to be sure.
. 
Linear Mode
