Dead Powerbook, Start From Logic Board?

Unfortunately Murphy’s Law struck this morning while trying to wake my powerbook up from sleeping. Last night I went to bed and everything was fine, but this morning the computer wouldn’t turn on.

After trying to diagnose the problem myself and failing–I decided to take it to an Apple Service Center. A quick inspection lead the technician to believe one of the following:

1) The power button was not working correctly and wouldn’t send the signal to boot to the logic board.
2) The logic board was fried.
3) The DC converter somehow wasn’t converting power correctly.

Basically when I press and hold the power button the hard drive begins to spin (I can hear it when I put my ear very close) but immediately fails. Like within the first second.

My question (I know, a tip site asking for help :)) is how would one start the computer directly from the logic board. I’ve tried to research this but no luck.

Here are a few more symptoms and things I’ve tried:
- Battery is fully charged, I confirmed this by pressing the button on the back of the battery
- I reset the PRAM
- I tried starting the computer from the logic board, but I don’t think I’m doing it in the right place
- AppleCare expired last year, along with my warranty when I replaced my LCD

I have a little experience taking the Powerbook apart–I’m just afraid it’s turned into an expensive paperweight.

I know this site has lots of experience Mac users, so what do you guys think? Time to throw in the towel and buy a new one or fight for the old G4?

Submitted on November 12, 2007 at 5:26 pm - Dead Powerbook, Start From Logic Board? was written by Brad Jasper - There have been 7 comments - Categorized in Hardware Tips

7 Responses to “Dead Powerbook, Start From Logic Board?”

Brad

I actually just found the two solder points on the logic board. It is labeled "Power Button", I tried starting the Powerbook via the solder points but no go.

Seems like there's a bigger problem here. November 12th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
wolfie

I have a take apart manual if you would like it email me at alexanderlunn @ gmailcom (you know take out the spaces and what not) November 12th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
wolfie

Sorry it removed the dots

alexander.lunn@ gmail . com November 12th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Brad

Thanks Alexander, I'm pretty sure it's fried though. All the research I've done points me to the logic board being dead.

It's only been 30 minutes on my old XP and I'm already terribly missing my powerbook :(. November 12th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
christian

i there my powerbook just died 5hrs ago. it won,t open at all no fan nothing i pram nothing , control+apple+shift the fan start no hardrive noise and is making 3 clear bip before going in trance... do you sometging about those symptome.

thanks November 23rd, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Brad Jasper

Christian, Did you check your battery?

I would recommend taking it to an Authorized Service Provider. Apple has a list of these here: http://www.apple.com/buy/locator/service/

Have them do a quick diagnostic to make sure it's nothing simple. They are usually very knowledgeable and will help you debug minor issues for low cost or free. November 25th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
Lonnie Johnson

This is a great tip for those who love their old G4's. My friend's G4 just recently took a similar nose dive, with the same symptoms. I offered to help him fix his ibook, and this tip will help lots.
Thanks again,
Lonnie April 14th, 2008 at 11:03 pm