winwintoo

I realize the best you can do is make a WAG, but that's better than nothing at this point.

My Granddaughter, who is away at school has been making do with a 14" iBook. She says it was slowing down - not surprising since the HD is so small and she probably has a gazillion songs on it.

And the battery won't hold a charge and the only way she could get it to work at all was by using elastic bands around the power plug to keep it seated properly.

Then today? Nothing.

So I'm thinking (hoping) that it's the bit inside where the plug goes into the computer - we've had to replace them on a couple of other laptops.

Santa will hopefully be bringing her a new computer, but I'd like to get this one back on the road until then.

Any experience repairing 14" iBooks? any ideas?

Thanks, Margaret

PS we do have an excellent Apple repair shop here so getting it fixed isn't going to be a problem, but if thoughts are that it's more than the power supple thingy, we maybe ought to shop for a new computer now.

monokitty

Even $20 spent on this unit is better spent on the next one. The adapter is likely dead; that's $89+ to replace on its own. If it's something more, it's either more expensive - or not repairable at all due to part no longer being available for this unit.

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johnb1

I kinda agree with what Lars said-You're better off saving up for a new(er) machine
but If'n you're feeling brave, I believe ifixit.com or powerbookmedic.com may have
take-apart guides. I don't work for either of 'em, but, it's a start, and a little shot in the dark
may be better than none at all...

John B

winwintoo

I'm not that brave John. I read one of those take apart guides once and my eyes are still bleeding from it.

I was leaning toward the advice you and Lars have given, but her poor Dad is really hurting after an $800 hit to repair her car last week. I was hoping fixing would be simple.

Margaret

TPCM

Their not that bad machines.

Try a different AC Adapter before anything.

-TPCM


Sent from my 14 inch G4 iBook

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pm-r

Make Christmas come early and hit the Apple refurb store now before everyone else does so next month.

They've only got one strike left:
1 Car
2 iBook
3 ????

Rob

Is the ring around the power plug lit up? It should be green if there's power going to the iBook. If it's not lit up at all, then the power adapter could be dead, or it's not making a connection to the iBook, or worse.

If the ring around the plug is glowing green or amber, then it could be as simple as a reset of the power manager. I'm not sure how to reset it on that model, but you can look it up.

Don't give up hope yet.

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winwintoo

Will do.

I hate to think what number 3 might be. She's away at school because she's playing goalie for a midget AAA hockey team. Need I say more?

She doesn't have the original power cord any more, but the cord could very well be the problem. I'll give that a try.

Margaret

pm-r

I've rejuvenated many of the original iBook power adapter 'lit' "bad" connectors, even though a bit fiddly if she still has it somewhere, and a bit of help with a hot glue gun to create a better 'strain relief' and they're better than new.

Including the one on our existing iBook that when kaput.

winwintoo

The wait is over. While she was away playing hockey on the weekend, someone broke into her car and jacked her stereo and rooted through all her stuff.

Rats

Don't know what's wrong with the iBook yet, I gave her my Powerbook.

Margaret