Apple powerbook firewire User Manual

							 
Symptom Charts / Start Up -  
7 
Troubleshooting 
PowerBook (FireWire) 
Symptom Charts
 
Start Up 
RAM failure occurs 
(beeps are heard at 
start up) 
Note:  
There is no RAM on the microprocessor board itself, so the 
computer will beep if no memory is installed in at least one of the 
slots.
1. Remove top RAM SO-DIMM (if present) and restart computer. 
If startup sequence is normal, replace RAM SO-DIMM and 
retest. Note: Verify RAM is PC-100 compatible.
2 . Replace bottom RAM SO-DIMM and retest.
3. Replace microprocessor board.
4. Replace I/O logic board. 
Power 
Computer wonÕt 
power up1. Restart computer by pressing the reset button on the back of 
the unit. Wait five seconds and press the Power key.
2. Try known-good power adapter.    
3. Try known-good, firmly seated, charged battery. Repeat.
4. Connect power adapter and restart computer in 3-4 minutes.
5. Disconnect internal keyboard completely and try powering up 
unit. If unit powers up, replace keyboard.
6. Verify microprocessor card is firmly seated.
7 . Replace sound card.
8. Replace power supply card.
9. Replace microprocessor board.
1 0 . Replace I/O logic board. 
						

							 
Symptom Charts / Power -  
8 
Troubleshooting 
PowerBook (FireWire) Screen is blank; 
backlight isnÕt on; 
computer doesnÕt 
respond1. Restart the computer by pressing the reset button on the back 
of the unit. Wait five seconds and press the Power key.
2. Restart computer.
3. Disconnect power adapter and remove battery, then wait 3-4 
minutes. Reconnect computer to power source and restart.
4 . Check power adapter cable.
5. Try known-good, charged battery.
6. Try known-good power adapter.    
7. Remove all power (power adapter and batteries) and 
disconnect backup battery for ten minutes.
8 . Check all I/O logic board cables and connections.
9 . Replace sound card.
1 0 . Replace microprocessor board.
1 1 . Replace power supply card.
1 2 . Replace I/O logic board.
Power adapter is 
plugged in, but 
Control Strip doesnÕt 
indicate adapter is 
connected1. Verify power adapter is connected correctly and the power 
cord is plugged solidly in the adapter.
2. Verify there is power at the outlet.
3. Try known-good power adapter.
4. Try known-good power cord.
5. Reset power manager (press reset button behind the I/O door.
6 . Replace sound card.
7. Replace power supply card.
8. Replace I/O logic board.
After you remove 
battery and power 
adapter, some Control 
Panel settings are 
different1. Connect power adapter to unit for 24 hours to see if backup 
battery is just depleted. (It takes approximately 48 hours to 
fully charge the backup battery.)
2 . Check backup battery cable and connections. 
3. Replace backup battery.
4. Replace I/O logic board. 
						

							 
Symptom Charts / Power -  
9 
Troubleshooting 
PowerBook (FireWire) Computer functions 
when plugged into 
wall outlet but not on 
battery power1. Verify battery is charged by pressing the level indicator 
button on the battery. If the battery is charged, one or more 
status lights on the battery will glow.
2. Reseat battery to make sure battery is mating with contacts on 
I/O logic board.
3. Try battery in opposite expansion bay.
4. Try known-good, firmly seated, charged battery. Try the same 
battery in opposite expansion bay.
5. Turn off the computer. Press the reset button on the back of 
the unit, wait five seconds, then press the Power key.
6. Try known-good power adapter. 
7. Replace power supply card.
8. Replace I/O logic board. 
Battery wonÕt charge 1. Verify battery is charged by pressing the level indicator 
button on the battery. If the battery is charged, one or more 
status lights on the battery will glow.
2. Turn off the computer. Press the reset button on the back of 
the unit, wait five seconds, and press the Power key.
3. Try battery in opposite expansion bay.
4. Try known-good, firmly seated, charged battery. Try the same 
battery in opposite expansion bay.
5. Replace power supply card.
6. Replace I/O logic board.
Battery will not 
charge unless unit is 
in sleep mode or shut 
downVerify the appropriate power adapter is being used. 
						

							 
Symptom Charts / Video -  
10 
Troubleshooting 
PowerBook (FireWire) 
Video  
Pixel(s) always on or 
off1. A certain number of pixel anomalies are inherent in display 
technology and vary by many factors, including type of 
technology. If you suspect that the display contains an 
abnormal number of anomalies, contact Apple Technical 
Support. 
Warning: 
 Do not use a metal screwdriver to reseat the display cable 
or shorting could result. Use a plastic or nylon tool.
Partial or full row of 
pixels is always on or 
always off1 . Check display cable connection.
2. In the U.S., contact Apple Technical Support. 
3. Replace display cable (international only).
4. Replace display (international only). 
5. Replace I/O logic board.
Display is very light 
or totally white1. Verify display cable and inverter board cable connections to 
the I/O logic board.
2. Replace inverter board.
3. In the U.S., contact Apple Technical Support. 
4. Replace display cable (international only).
5. Replace display (international only). 
An external monitor 
connected to the 
computer shows no 
video1. Verify external monitor has power.
2. Try different resolutions in the Monitors control panel.
3. Try another monitor cable and verify the video adapter has 
part number 590-1123 on the adapter. 
4. Try another monitor.
5. Restart unit and reset PRAM.
6. Replace I/O logic board. 
						

							 
Symptom Charts / Video -  
11 
Troubleshooting 
PowerBook (FireWire) No display, but 
computer appears to 
operate correctly1 . Connect power adapter.
2. Adjust screen brightness using keyboard controls.
3. Verify display cable, inverter board, and I/O logic board 
connections.
4. Connect external, known-good monitor.
5. Verify inverter cable is properly connected.
6. Replace inverter cable.
7. Replace inverter board.
8. In the U.S., contact Apple Technical Support. 
9. Replace display cable (international only).
10. Replace display (international only). 
1 1 . Replace I/O logic board.
An external monitor 
connected to the 
computer shows 
either horizontal or 
vertical rolling, or 
horizontal or vertical 
distortion1. Try different resolutions in the Monitors control panel.
2. Verify monitor using another computer.
3. Try another video adapter and verify the video adapter has 
part number 590-1123 on it. 
4. Replace I/O logic board.
Backlight doesnÕt 
operate; screen is 
very dim1. Adjust screen brightness setting.
2. Verify backlight cable connection is secure.
3. Check display cable and inverter board connections to the I/O 
logic board.
4. Verify inverter cable is properly connected and that cable is 
good.
5. Verify cables are not pinched or severed.
6. Replace inverter board.
7. In the U.S., contact Apple Technical Support.
8. Replace display (international only). 
9. Replace I/O logic board. 
						

							 
Symptom Charts / Sound -  
12 
Troubleshooting 
PowerBook (FireWire) 
Sound 
No sound from 
speaker(s)1. Verify mute mode is not enabled (F6 on the keyboard).
2. Check the volume setting in the Sound control panel.
3. Verify no external speakers or headphones are plugged in.
4 . Reset PRAM.
5 . Make sure speaker cable is plugged into sound card.
6 . Replace sound card.
7. Replace speakers (part of the top case).
8. Replace I/O logic board 
.  
Startup sound is 
heard, then no sound 
from speaker(s)1. Remove sound preferences from System Folder, reset PRAM, 
then restart.
2. Perform clean installation of system software. 
Hard Drive 
Internal hard drive 
does not spin1 . Make sure power adapter is connected.
2. Disconnect external devices. 
3. Check hard drive connection.
4. Replace hard drive cable.  
Note: 
 Pull up evenly on the cable to 
avoid bending pins.
5. Replace hard drive.
6. Replace I/O logic board.
Expansion bay module 
will not insert 
properly in the 
expansion bay1. Check for obstructions in the expansion bay.
2. Check that the far right keyboard tab is inserted properly and 
not extending into the expansion bay.
3. Try another module.
4. Replace I/O logic board. 
						

							 
Symptom Charts / PC Card Module (PCMCIA) - Troubleshooting 
PowerBook (FireWire) 
PC Card Module (PCMCIA) 
PC Card wonÕt eject 1. Make sure computer is not in sleep mode.
2 . Make sure PC Card slot is not blocked.
3 . Drag PC Card to trash.
4. Try PC Card eject button. (Press the PC Card eject button 
once to release the button, then again to eject the card.)
5 . Remove keyboard and  
AirPort Card (if installed) 
, then gently push 
the card out with your finger.
6. Verify PC Card is not warped or damaged in any way; if so, 
replace with new card.
7 . Replace PCMCIA cardcage.
PC Card is inserted 
but doesnÕt appear on 
desktop 
Note: 
 Modem and communication cards may not appear on desktop.
1. Verify correct software for the PC Card is installed.
2. Manually eject the PC Card and reinsert it.
3. Try another PC Card.
4 . Replace PCMCIA cardcage.
5. Replace I/O logic board.
PC Card canÕt be 
inserted1. Make sure PC Card is right side up (cards are keyed and 
cannot be inserted upside down).
2. Check for obstructions in the PC Card slot.
3 . Push PC Card in from center of the exposed edge.
4. Try a different PC Card.
5 . Replace PCMCIA cardcage. 
						

							 
Symptom Charts / DVD-ROM Drive -  
14 
Troubleshooting 
PowerBook (FireWire) 
DVD-ROM Drive 
Drive does not accept 
disc1. Verify disc is properly seated in the carrier.
2. Reinsert drive in expansion bay.
3. Replace drive.
4. Replace I/O logic board.
Volume control does 
not operate correctly1 . Check Sound control panel setting.
2. Verify mute mode is not enabled.
3. Verify the setting of volume control button.
4. Reinsert drive.
Computer cannot 
mount disc1. Reinsert drive.
2. Replace disc (if dirty or damaged). 
3. Verify Apple CD/DVD ROM extension is installed.
4. Replace drive.
5. Replace I/O logic board. 
DVD-Video 
Movie plays, but 
special features (such 
as directorÕs notes 
and other languages) 
are unavailable1. Not all DVD titles offer special features. Check the liner notes 
included with the disc for a list of features.
2. If both the picture and sound are OK, then DVD drive is 
functional. This means either the software or the movie title 
(DVD video disc) is the source of the symptom. Try playing 
another title to determine if the disc is the cause. If the 
software is the cause, reinstall software. 
						

							 
Symptom Charts / Infrared Communication - Troubleshooting 
PowerBook (FireWire) DVD video movie will 
not play1. Clean the disc with an appropriate cleaner.
2. Try another  
DVD video 
 disc.
3 . Ensure DVD video disc appears on desktop.
4. Check that Parental Controls setting is set to On. Select an 
MPAA rating at the same level or higher than the title being 
viewed.
5 . Check region code for DVD video title. (Warning message 
appears.)
6. Reinstall software. 
Poor performance of 
DVD video disc (poor 
sound or picture)1 . Check the DVD video disc for scratches. 
2. Disable background applications.
3. Turn off AppleTalk and TCP/IP. 
4. Set display to millions of colors.
5. Set Disk Cache to default setting in Memory control panel.
6 . Use Extensions Manager to disable extensions except for the 
standard Apple extensions and DVD extensions. Restart the 
computer.
7. For an audio problem, try playing an audio CD. If problem 
persists, refer to the Sound symptom chart in this chapter. 
Infrared Communication 
Infrared 
communication is not 
working1. Clean infrared window with soft lint-free cloth.
2. Make sure units are spaced 3-6 feet apart and at less than a 
20 degree angle.
3. Verify infrared signal is being received by host computer.
4. Replace I/O logic board. 
						

							 
Symptom Charts / Modem -  
16 
Troubleshooting 
PowerBook (FireWire) 
Modem
 
No dial tone 1. Verify known-good analog (not digital) telephone line.
2. Verify cable is not plugged into Ethernet port.
3. If using Apple Remote Access 3.0, select Ignore Dial Tone in 
the Modem control panel. If the modem connects with this 
setting selected, try another phone line. If using a terminal or 
communications program, enter “atx1” to disable tone 
detection. To reset the modem back to the factory settings, 
enter “atz.”
4. Replace cable/phone jack.
5. Replace modem EMI filter card.
6 . Replace modem.
No internal modem 
selection available1. Remove keyboard and verify modem is properly installed and 
modem EMI filter card is plugged in.
2. Verify correct modem software is installed and selected.
3 . Replace modem.
Modem reports an 
error when dialing 
out1. Use the Modem Country Selector utility to make sure the 
modem is set to the correct country.
2. Make sure the correct driver is installed and the correct CCL 
is selected and that they are not corrupted. If necessary, 
reinstall the driver and/or CCL. 
3. Try another cable and phone jack.
4. If problem persists, reinstall system and modem software.
Modem is having 
trouble connecting to 
Online site1. Use the Modem Country Selector utility to make sure the 
modem is set to the correct country.
2 . The phone line may have too much noise. If the user has a 
second line, try that one. The user should contact their local 
phone company and request their line be checked.
3. Check to make sure the TCP/IP control panel is correctly 
configured for the users Internet Service Provider. If the