The only thing that might work is to use it as a desktop with an external screen.
Sick iBook - diagnosis please
Our 5-year-old 600 Mhz iBook seems to have breathed the last.
It's been the grandkids computer for a few years and performed like a trooper until my son said it would start, but the screen wouldn't light up. I just tried it and sure enough it seemed to start up but no screen. Then I zapped the PRAM and it started again (still no screen) and after a few minutes, I heard it shut down on it's own.
Now when I press the power button, nothing happens. I tried removing the battery - nothing.
Does anyone have any ideas for me? If I can't resurrect it, it's no loss really, but it's always nice to have an extra computer around for emergencies.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Margaret
It's been the grandkids computer for a few years and performed like a trooper until my son said it would start, but the screen wouldn't light up. I just tried it and sure enough it seemed to start up but no screen. Then I zapped the PRAM and it started again (still no screen) and after a few minutes, I heard it shut down on it's own.
Now when I press the power button, nothing happens. I tried removing the battery - nothing.
Does anyone have any ideas for me? If I can't resurrect it, it's no loss really, but it's always nice to have an extra computer around for emergencies.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Margaret
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
I was going to do that, but after it shut down on it's own, I can't get it to boot at all.
I hate to ashcan it if some little thing will get it working again.
Take care, Margaret
I hate to ashcan it if some little thing will get it working again.
Take care, Margaret
Go to Apple.com/support/ and search for Power Manager Reset for that machine. That may get it running again, temporarily
IIRC this iBook does not have a PRAM battery, just a capacitor.
Does (did) the main battery work, or was it completely kaput?
IIRC this iBook does not have a PRAM battery, just a capacitor.
Does (did) the main battery work, or was it completely kaput?
Thanks CR, found the reset button, but no joy. Still no sound when I press the power button.
The battery is dead.
If there is any life in a laptop, shouldn't it start without the battery if it's plugged in?
BTW, I've tried two different power cords and nothing with either one.
It seems odd that it was trying to start, just no screen, and then it powered itself off and now won't even try to start.
Take care, Margaret
The battery is dead.
If there is any life in a laptop, shouldn't it start without the battery if it's plugged in?
BTW, I've tried two different power cords and nothing with either one.
It seems odd that it was trying to start, just no screen, and then it powered itself off and now won't even try to start.
Take care, Margaret
update:
I read some more and found more instructions for resetting - and now I'm back to where I hear the chime and I can hear the computer trying to start but after a few minutes, it powers itself off again.
So there is some life, but it doesn't sound hopeful since it won't stay running.
Take care, Margaret
I read some more and found more instructions for resetting - and now I'm back to where I hear the chime and I can hear the computer trying to start but after a few minutes, it powers itself off again.
So there is some life, but it doesn't sound hopeful since it won't stay running.
Take care, Margaret
All I can say is that I hope this is not an omen of things to come for my own beloved iBook!
Keep us posted.
Keep us posted.
I came across this article about using an iPod as a startup disk. I have a firewire iPod and Tiger install disks, but once I boot the iBook using the iPod what do I look for on the iBook.
Is there any way to diagnose the problem while booted from the iPod?
I'm willing to learn.
Margaret
Is there any way to diagnose the problem while booted from the iPod?
I'm willing to learn.
Margaret
regarding my previous post, duh. I have a couple of Tiger (boxed) install disks, so I thought to myself, why not just use one of those.
I think I've narrowed the problem down.
The computer booted from the install disk, but still no video - or so I thought - now that the light in here is different, I can see that the screen is lighting faintly and I can see the logon dialog - there are about 10 users with accounts on this old gem of a computer so the list is pretty long.
Most of the screen is dead black, but I can faintly see the logon so I'm thinking maybe the HD is still ok, just a screw loose in the video - sounds like way less money to me.
While on the subject, we also have an Avaratec with a burned out power supply, but it has a bigger HD than this iBook - could I swap the drive from the Avaratec into the ibook? - both computers are about the same overall size.
Onward and upward, I'll keep digging.
Margaret
I think I've narrowed the problem down.
The computer booted from the install disk, but still no video - or so I thought - now that the light in here is different, I can see that the screen is lighting faintly and I can see the logon dialog - there are about 10 users with accounts on this old gem of a computer so the list is pretty long.
Most of the screen is dead black, but I can faintly see the logon so I'm thinking maybe the HD is still ok, just a screw loose in the video - sounds like way less money to me.
While on the subject, we also have an Avaratec with a burned out power supply, but it has a bigger HD than this iBook - could I swap the drive from the Avaratec into the ibook? - both computers are about the same overall size.
Onward and upward, I'll keep digging.
Margaret
HI Margaret, Im also from Regina. My girlfriends iBook was doing the exact same thing, and apparently it was fairly easy to fix. Take it to Fact on broad st. and let us know what happens.
Thanks, I'll do that. I've taken other computers to them, in fact, when the kids dropped this iBook a couple of years ago and broke the hinge, the guys at Fact were quick to fix it.HI Margaret, Im also from Regina. My girlfriends iBook was doing the exact same thing, and apparently it was fairly easy to fix. Take it to Fact on broad st. and let us know what happens.
This iBook is like a Timex watch, no matter what we do to it, it just keeps on ticking
Take care, Margaret
video inverter board located in the LCD screen is probably dead. The part is cheap on ebay but the ibook must be taken apart to replace the inverter.
Thanks, that seems to be the consensus. I'll take it in on Monday and see if they guys in the shop will have a go at it. I guess I could order the parts and try to do it myself, but I always have screws left over when I try to overhaul anything so shop time is money well spent in my case.video inverter board located in the LCD screen is probably dead. The part is cheap on ebay but the ibook must be taken apart to replace the inverter.
Margaret
Did you try the external monitor now?
Thanks for reminding me, I had to go out for a while so I didn't try that. The only monitor I have is hooked to my work PC and it's a very delicate situation, so I'll hook the iBook to the tv and see if I can get a picture there.Did you try the external monitor now?
I'll keep you posted.
Margaret
Guaranteed not to be the problem.just a screw loose in the video - sounds like way less money to me.
If there is video faintly, but sometimes never at all (pure black), there's the potential of a defective Inverter Board/Reed Switch Assy, LCD panel, or logic board - only the first is one considering repairing; the other two are over $600+ with parts, labor, and taxes. I'm suspicious of the fact that there is no video at all at times, but sometimes there is video, but very dim. If I had to bet, and if your described symptoms are completely accurate, I'd say the LCD panel is toasted.
I wouldn't support that your iBook is worth repairing, even if the repair is somewhat cheap.
If you decide to sell the ibook for parts, let me know I could be interested if the price is reasonable.
Thanks Lars, and GlassOnion - Lars, I agree with what you're saying. The shop here is pretty reliable and will let me know ahead of time what the repair will cost. If it's too much, I'll scrap it.
It has an airport card in it - the old kind - so that's worth a bit - I'll let you know GO if I decide to junk it.
I was going to try hooking it up to a tv, but can't find the cable, so will scrap that idea. The techs will know what to do with it.
Take care, Margaret
It has an airport card in it - the old kind - so that's worth a bit - I'll let you know GO if I decide to junk it.
I was going to try hooking it up to a tv, but can't find the cable, so will scrap that idea. The techs will know what to do with it.
Take care, Margaret
Any news on the sick iBook?
I have a G3 iBook 700Mhz with similar symptoms.
Any news/diagnosis on the patient in this case?
I found this thread on the MacNN discussion forums - but this repair is not for the faint of heart.
http://forums.macnn.com/66/ibook-and-macbook/210232/diy-ibook-dual-usb-logic-board/
There is a company that will do reflow repairs - but after the shipping and repair costs it may not be worth it (and it may not fix it either).
I have a G3 iBook 700Mhz with similar symptoms.
Any news/diagnosis on the patient in this case?
I found this thread on the MacNN discussion forums - but this repair is not for the faint of heart.
http://forums.macnn.com/66/ibook-and-macbook/210232/diy-ibook-dual-usb-logic-board/
There is a company that will do reflow repairs - but after the shipping and repair costs it may not be worth it (and it may not fix it either).
I haven't taken the iBook in yet, but the consensus seems to be the back light on the screen.
The screen looks all black but if you tilt it to the light a certain way, you can faintly see the desktop - so the computer is working, it's just not lighting up the screen.
HTH, Margaret
The screen looks all black but if you tilt it to the light a certain way, you can faintly see the desktop - so the computer is working, it's just not lighting up the screen.
HTH, Margaret
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
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