Page 3 - General Information; Overview
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart - 1 General Information Overview Some key features that distinguish this computer from earlier PowerBook models include: • 17-inch TFT widescreen display in aluminum alloy enclosure • Built-in Bluetooth • Built-in AirPort Extreme card • Added FireWire 800 port • Use...
Page 5 - Serial Number Location
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart - 3 Serial Number Location The serial number is located in the battery bay.
Page 6 - Zero Insertion Force Connectors; To release the flex cable
4 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart Zero Insertion Force Connectors Zero insertion force (ZIF) connectors are used in several locations in the computer. Important: The locking bar on the ZIF connector is extremely fragile and is not intended to separate from the connector. When releasing a bar, us...
Page 7 - To connect a flex cable
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart - 5 To connect a flex cable Make sure the locking bar is released, then slide the end of the flex cable all the way into the connector. Hold the cable in place, then slide the locking bar into the connector on both sides to secure. Important: Verify that the cable i...
Page 8 - Battery; Tools; Part Location
6 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart Battery Battery Tools This procedure requires the following tools: • Soft cloth Part Location Preliminary Steps Warning: Always shut down the computer before opening it to avoid damaging its internal components or causing injury. After you shut down the computer...
Page 9 - Procedure
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart - 7 Battery Procedure Warning: If the computer has been recently operating, allow it to cool down before performing this procedure. 1. Shut down the computer. 2. Disconnect the power cord and any other cables connected to the computer. 3. Place the computer face dow...
Page 16 - Top Case
14 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart Top Case Top Case Tools This procedure requires the following tools: • #0 Phillips screwdriver (magnetized) • #1 Phillips screwdriver (magnetized) • Torx T8 screwdriver (magnetized) • Black stick (or other nonconductive nylon or plastic flat-blade tool) • Soft ...
Page 21 - Replacement Procedure
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart - 19 Top Case Replacement Procedure Note: If replacing the top case, remove the keyboard and transfer it to the replacement top case. 1. Verify the thermal pad shown here is in place. If not, check whether it is stuck under the removed top case and replace. If not, ...
Page 34 - Keyboard
32 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart Keyboard Keyboard Tools This procedure requires the following tools: • #0 Phillips screwdriver • Torx T8 screwdriver (or other blunt tool, 3.5mm wide or less) • Black stick (or other nonconductive nylon or plastic flat-blade tool) Part Location Preliminary Step...
Page 43 - Hard Drive
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart - 41 Hard Drive Hard Drive Tools This procedure requires the following tools: • Torx T8 screwdriver (magnetized) • #1 Phillips screwdriver (magnetized) Part Location Preliminary Steps Before you begin, remove the following: • Battery • Top case
Page 46 - Sound Board
44 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart Sound Board Sound Board Tools This procedure requires the following tools: • Torx T8 screwdriver (magnetized) • Black stick (or other nonconductive nylon or plastic flat-blade tool) Part Location Preliminary Steps Before you begin, remove the following: • Batte...
Page 49 - SuperDrive
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart - 47 SuperDrive SuperDrive Tools This procedure requires the following tools: • Torx T8 screwdriver (magnetized) • #1 Phillips screwdriver (magnetized) Part Location Preliminary Steps Before you begin, remove the following: • Battery • Top case
Page 52 - Backup Battery Board
50 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart Backup Battery Board Backup Battery Board Tools This procedure requires the following tools: • Torx T8 screwdriver (magnetized) • Black stick (or other nonconductive nylon or plastic flat-blade tool) Part Location Preliminary Steps Before you begin, remove the ...
Page 54 - Modem
52 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart Modem Modem Tools This procedure requires the following tools: • 4 mm socket wrench • Needlenose pliers (helpful to reinstall hex nuts) Part Location Preliminary Steps Before you begin, remove the following: • Battery • Top case
Page 62 - Bluetooth
60 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart Bluetooth Bluetooth Tools This procedure requires the following tools: • Torx T6 screwdriver (magnetized) • Black stick (or other nonconductive nylon or plastic flat-blade tool) Part Location Preliminary Steps Before you begin, remove the following: • Battery •...
Page 65 - Speakers
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart - 63 Speakers Speakers Tools This procedure requires the following tools: • Torx T8 screwdriver (magnetized) • Black stick (or other nonconductive nylon or plastic flat-blade tool) Part Location Preliminary Steps Before you begin, remove the following: • Battery • T...
Page 72 - Logic Board
70 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart Logic Board Logic Board Tools This procedure requires the following tools: • Torx T8 screwdriver (magnetized) • X-Acto knife with a new flat-blade • Black stick (or other nonconductive nylon or plastic flat-blade tool) • Thermal Pad Kit (076-1033) • T630 therma...
Page 84 - Display Panel Assembly
82 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart Display Panel Assembly Display Panel Assembly Tools This procedure requires the following tools: • Torx T6 screwdriver (magnetized) • Black stick (or other nonconductive nylon or plastic flat-blade tool) • 4 mm socket wrench (to install the pop-up spring torsio...
Page 97 - Heatsink and Fan Assembly
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart - 95 Heatsink and Fan Assembly Heatsink and Fan Assembly Tools This procedure requires the following tools: • Torx T8 screwdriver (magnetized) Part Location Preliminary Steps Before you begin, remove the following: • Battery • Top case • Left and right speakers • Lo...
Page 99 - Bottom Case Assembly
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Take Apart - 97 Bottom Case Assembly Bottom Case Assembly Part Location Preliminary Steps Before you begin, remove the following: • Battery • Top case • Hard drive • Sound board • SuperDrive • Backup battery board • Left and right speakers • Modem • PC card cage & AirPort ...
Page 102 - Wire and Flex Cables
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting - 1 General Information General Information Wire and Flex Cables With the very thin enclosure design and dispersed circuit board, a large number of flex cables are used in this computer. In addition, there are a variety of wire cable harnesses as well. Many of ...
Page 104 - Potential flex cable and connector issues.; ZIF connector locking Bar
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting - 3 General Information Potential flex cable and connector issues. ZIF connector locking Bar The locking bar holds the flex cable into the connector. The connector will not work properly if any of the following situations exist: • The locking bar is not complet...
Page 105 - The cable is not secured straight.; Broken connectors on the flex cable
4 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting General Information The cable is not secured straight. Make sure that the alignment mark, if present, or metal edge of the contacts run parallel to the connector. If the flex cable is inserted crooked, some signals may not be connected or signals may short ...
Page 106 - Cables nicked or crimped
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting - 5 General Information Cables nicked or crimped For cables in the bottom case assembly routed along the front left edge, left side and display clutch areas, check whether the wire insulation has been nicked (exposing bare metal), severed or crimped. If wire in...
Page 107 - Hardware Troubleshooting Tools and Tips
6 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting General Information Hardware Troubleshooting Tools and Tips Apple Hardware Test 2.0.1 (AHT) Starting with the PowerBook G4 (17-inch), the Apple Hardware Test software will be incorporated into the Software Install and Restore DVD. There is no separate CD fo...
Page 110 - Power-on pads on logic board
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting - 9 General Information Power-on pads on logic board With the top case removed, the power-on button is disconnected. Instead of having to reconnect the top case to turn on the system, there are two pads on the logic board when shorted together (with a tool like...
Page 111 - PMU NMI and PMU Reset pads on logic board; Caps lock LED power check
10 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting General Information PMU NMI and PMU Reset pads on logic board In addition to the power-on button pads on the logic board, there are pads for PMU NMI and PMU reset. These buttons work when their pads are shorted together (with a tool like the head of a flat...
Page 112 - Software Troubleshooting Tips and Tools; Mac OS X only
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting - 11 General Information Software Troubleshooting Tips and Tools Mac OS X only Starting with the PowerBook G4 (17-inch), the system will no longer boot into Mac OS 9. Mac OS 9 applications can still be used, but only in the Mac OS X classic mode. In locations s...
Page 114 - Hardware Symptom Charts; How to Use the Symptom Charts
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting - 13 Hardware Symptom Charts Hardware Symptom Charts How to Use the Symptom Charts The Symptom Charts included in this chapter will help you diagnose specific symptoms related to the product. The steps to solve a symptom are listed sequentially. You might not n...
Page 115 - Power Adapter Note
14 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting Hardware Symptom Charts Power Adapter Note The system was designed to use the Apple 65-Watt Portable Power Adapter that came with your computer. The previous 45-Watt Apple power adapter for PowerBooks is plug compatible, but it may not provide sufficient p...
Page 116 - Startup
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting - 15 Hardware Symptom Charts Startup The computer will not power on (no fan movement, hard drive spin up and display is not lit) 1. Remove any connected peripherals and eject any PC card. 2. Check that the battery has enough charge to start the computer by pres...
Page 119 - Flashing question mark appears on the screen
18 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting Hardware Symptom Charts Flashing question mark appears on the screen Note: This system will only boot the Mac OS X system that shipped with this computer or later. It does not support booting into Mac OS 9. 1. Start up from the software install and restore...
Page 121 - Application Quits, Kernel panic or other booting problems; Error Beeps; Computer beeps once at startup
20 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting Hardware Symptom Charts Application Quits, Kernel panic or other booting problems 1. If a specific application quits, replace the application. Verify the application is compatible with OS X. 2. Clear parameter RAM. Hold down Command-Option-P-R during start...
Page 123 - AirPort Extreme Card; AirPort Extreme Card not recognized
22 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting Hardware Symptom Charts AirPort Extreme Card AirPort Extreme Card not recognized 1. In Mac OS X, use Software Update in system preferences or see the Apple Software Updates web page to make sure the latest version of AirPort Extreme software is installed. ...
Page 124 - Battery will not eject; The battery won't charge
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting - 23 Hardware Symptom Charts Battery Battery will not eject 1. Flip over the unit and slide both battery latches towards the back of the system, exposing two orange labels. The latches should stay in an open state. 2. If the battery does not pop up, use a small...
Page 125 - Bluetooth Card not recognized by other devices
24 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting Hardware Symptom Charts 4. Try known-good battery. If it charges, replace the battery. If doesn’t charge, check the battery connector and its connection to the logic board. 5. Replace the battery connector assembly (requires removing the logic board). 6. T...
Page 126 - Display; Display latch not working
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting - 25 Hardware Symptom Charts Display Display latch not working Note: When the display is being closed, hooks in the top of the display housing should be magnetically pulled down to the latch. When the latch button is pushed, the hook should release and retract ...
Page 127 - Internal hard drive will not initialize:
26 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting Hardware Symptom Charts 5. If the number of subpixel anomalies is acceptable, explain to the customer that the pixel anomalies are within specifications, and no repair is necessary. Important: Do not release the specifications to customers. Instead, inform...
Page 128 - No response from any key on keyboard; No keyboard illumination
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting - 27 Hardware Symptom Charts Keyboard No response from any key on keyboard 1. Remove any connected peripherals and eject any PC card. 2. Attach an external USB keyboard, if it doesn’t work, go to step 7. 3. Turn off the computer. Check the top case flex cable c...
Page 129 - Half keyboard is illuminated.; Microphone; The microphone is not working
28 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting Hardware Symptom Charts 2. Check the keyboard backlight cable connection to the top case flex cable and the top case flex cable connection to the logic board. If the connections look good, change the top case. 3. Replace logic board. Half keyboard is illum...
Page 130 - No modem dial tone
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting - 29 Hardware Symptom Charts Modem No modem dial tone 1. Check that the correct modem is selected in the Network Port Configuration section of the Network system preferences. 2. Verify known-good analog (not digital) telephone line. 3. Verify known-good RJ-11 t...
Page 131 - Optical Drive; Difficulty writing to optical media
30 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting Hardware Symptom Charts Optical Drive The optical drive does not accept CD or DVD disc (mechanical failure) 1. Verify disc is not warped and is a 12 cm circular disc. 2. Check that a small disc is not stuck inside, or other foreign objects. Remove drive fr...
Page 132 - PC Card; PC Card will not insert into the PC Card slot
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting - 31 Hardware Symptom Charts PC Card PC Card will not insert into the PC Card slot 1. Make sure the PC Card eject button is in, before attempting to insert a PC Card. 2. Make sure the PC Card is right side up (cards are keyed and cannot be inserted upside down)...
Page 133 - Ports; A USB port is not recognizing devices
32 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting Hardware Symptom Charts Ports A USB port is not recognizing devices 1. Completely shut down, then press the power button to start the computer. 2. Use Software Update system preferences to verify that the latest software is installed. 3. For USB, test port...
Page 134 - Sound
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting - 33 Hardware Symptom Charts 3. Make sure the cables are firmly attached. 4. Try a different cable. 5. If self powered make sure that the power supply is connected and device's LED indicates that it is getting power. 6. Replace logic board. Sound No sound heard...
Page 135 - Distorted sound from speakers
34 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting Hardware Symptom Charts 7. Reset PRAM (Press the power button, then hold down the Option-Command-P-R keys until you hear the startup chime at least one additional time after the initial startup chime). Warning: Resetting the PRAM will permanently remove a ...
Page 136 - Trackpad; The cursor does not move when you are using trackpad
PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting - 35 Hardware Symptom Charts Trackpad The cursor does not move when you are using trackpad 1. Verify that no USB device is connected. 2. Boot from the Software Install and Restore DVD to verify that it is not a software problem. 3. Reset the power manager by pr...
Page 137 - Video
36 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch) Troubleshooting Hardware Symptom Charts Video No display, or dim display, but computer appears to operate correctly 1. Remove any connected peripherals. 2. Make sure F1 key is not stuck down. 3. Press the F2 key (with the fn key pressed and not pressed) to increase the sc...
