Apple powerbook g4 12 inch User Manual

							PowerBook G4 (12-inch) Take Apart - 149
 Display Bezel• Display module
• Display housing
• LCD panel
• Inverter (and antenna cable assembly)
Procedure
When all preliminary steps are performed, the display bezel is the part that remains. 
						

							
 

© 2003 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.
 
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Service Source
Troubleshooting
 
PowerBook G4 (12-inch)
PowerBook G4 (12-inch DVI) 
						

							
 

PowerBook G4 (12-inch) Troubleshooting - 
 
1
 
 Symptom Charts
 
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 need to perform every 
step before the symptom is solved. Start with the  first step, and then test for the symptom. 
If the symptom persists, replace any modules you removed, go to the next step, and test 
again. Continue down the list until the symptom is solved.
 
Important:
 
  This computer starts up only in Mac OS X. Mac OS 9 is not available as a 
startup disk and previous versions of the Mac OS should not be installed on this computer.
 
AirPort Extreme Card
 
AirPort Extreme Card not recognized
 
1. Use Software Update in Mac OS X system preferences or see the Apple Software  Updates web page to make sure the latest version of AirPort software is installed.
2. Reseat AirPort Extreme Card and make sure AirPort antenna cable is fully connected. 
3. Verify settings in Network Preferences pane.
4. Check that AirPort Extreme Card appears in Apple System Pro filer under Network 
overview in System Pro file.
5. Replace with known-good AirPort Card. 
6. Replace logic board.
 
AirPort communication erratic
 
1. Use Software Update in Mac OS X system preferences or see the Apple Software  Updates web page to make sure the latest version of AirPort software is installed.
2. Make sure the computer is within antenna range of the other computer or the  network’s access point. 
 
Note:
 
 Nearby electronic devices or metal structures can interfere with wirele\
ss 
communication and reduce the antenna range. Repositioning or rotating th\
e 
computer may improve reception. 
						

							
 

2 - 
 
PowerBook G4 (12-inch) Troubleshooting Symptom Charts
3. Check the signal strength shown in the AirPort status icon in the menu bar. Up to four 
bars can appear.
4. If the symptom remains, refer to the Knowledge Base for the latest articles on  computer placement and how to optimize AirPort performance.
 
Battery
 
Battery wont charge
 
1. Make sure that power adapter connector is fully inserted.
2. Remove any connected peripherals.
3. Try known-good power outlet. Green or amber light should glow at power adapter connector.
4. Try known-good power adapter and power cord.
 
Note:
 
 Verify that power adapter connector glows amber or green. If the power \
adapter light is green, turn over the computer and press the battery but\
ton. One to 
five lights glow to show the battery’s level of charge. One blinking \
light indicates that 
the battery does not have sufficient charge to turn on. 
5. Remove battery and reseat it.
6. Reset the power manager by pressing the key combination Control-Option-Shift- power. 
 
Warning: Make sure you do not hold down the fn key when resetting the 
power manager.
 
7. Update to Mac OS 10.2.4, or boot from external device with 10.2.4.
8. Replace DC-to-DC board.
9. Replace logic board.
 
Battery wont charge completely
 
1. If battery reaches 96 percent and doesn’t charge further, this is normal operation. Refer to Knowledge Base article 88344  PowerBook G4, iBook: Battery Does Not 
Show Full Charge in Mac OS X.
2. If battery charges to 95 percent or less and stops charging before reaching 100  percent, replace DC-to-DC board. 
						

							
 

PowerBook G4 (12-inch) Troubleshooting - 
 
3
 
 Symptom Charts
 
Error Beeps
 
The computer automatically performs a power-on self test when it is turned on after being 
fully shut down (not a restart). This section describes what to do if beeps are heard during 
the startup.
 
Note:
 
 The computer has a memory expansion slot that accepts a 1.25-inch (or shorter) 
PC-2100 compliant, SO-DIMM memory card. Refer to the Memory Replacement 
instructions for removal and installation.
 
Computer beeps once at startup
 
1. One beep means that no RAM is detected.
2. If a RAM card is installed in the expansion slot, remove it and put in known-good and  compatible RAM and restart. 
• If symptom does NOT repeat, replace RAM card. 
• If symptom repeats, replace logic board.
3. If no RAM card is installed, replace logic board.
 
Computer beeps three times at startup
 
1. Three beeps means that no RAM banks passed memory testing.
2. If a RAM card is installed in the expansion slot, remove it and put in known-good and  compatible RAM and restart. 
• If symptom does NOT repeat, replace RAM card. 
• If symptom repeats, replace logic board.
3. If no RAM card is installed, replace logic board.
 
Computer beeps four times at startup
 
1. Four beeps indicates a bad checksum for the remainder of the boot ROM. The ROM  (which is located on the logic board) is bad.
2. If a RAM card is installed in the expansion slot, remove it and put in known-good and  compatible RAM and restart. 
• If symptom does NOT repeat, replace RAM card. 
• If symptom repeats, replace logic board.
3. If no RAM card is installed, replace logic board.
Related article: 58442: Power On Self-Test Beep Definition - Part 2 
						

							
 

4 - 
 
PowerBook G4 (12-inch) Troubleshooting Symptom Charts
 
Hard Drive
 
Hard drive will not initialize
 
1. Boot from Software and Restore DVD. Under the File menu, select Disk Utility, and 
see if the hard drive appears on the list.
2. If no hard drive is found in Disk Utility, verify the hard drive cable connections.
3. Replace hard drive cable.
4. Replace hard drive.
 
Important:
 
 If the computer is under warranty and data recovery is required, refer \
to 
Article 31077: Hard Drive Data Recovery & Warranty Implications, for imp\
ortant 
information.
 
The internal hard drive does not spin
 
1. Disconnect any connected peripherals.
2. Try known-good power outlet.
3. Try known-good power adapter and power cord.
4. Boot from Software and Restore DVD.
5. Verify Disk Utility does not recognize the hard drive.
6. Verify cable connections.
7. Reset the power manager by pressing the key combination Control-Option-Shift- power. 
 
Warning: Make sure you do not hold down the fn key when resetting the 
power manager.
 
8. Replace hard drive cable.
9. Replace hard drive.
 
Keyboard
 
No response from any key on keyboard
 
1. Remove any connected peripherals.
2. Boot from Software and Restore DVD to verify that it is not a software problem.
3. Turn off the computer. Disconnect the keyboard connector and inspect connectors.
4. Replace keyboard.
5. Replace logic board. 
						

							
 

PowerBook G4 (12-inch) Troubleshooting - 
 
5
 
 Symptom Charts
 
Modem
 
No modem dial tone
 
1. Check that the correct modem is selected in the Network Preferences pane. In Modem tab, check that sound is not turned off.
2. It is possible that the modem is connecting but not generating a sound. Check Internet  Connect to verify status.
3. Verify known-good analog (not digital) telephone line.
4. Verify known-good RJ11 telephone cable.
5. Verify RJ11 cable is not plugged into Ethernet port.
6. Inspect RJ11 connector and modem port for pin damage. 
7. Verify RJ11 telephone cable is  firmly installed in the modem port.
8. To verify system function, in Modem tab, deselect “Wait for Dial Tone Before Dialing.”
9. Verify modem 2-pin connector is plugged into modem correctly.
10. Replace the RJ11 modem cable and port. 
11. Replace modem.
 
Optical Drive
 
The optical drive does not accept CD or DVD disc (mechanical failure)
 
1. Verify disc is not warped.
2. Verify disc is correct size. The computer will accept only 120 mm round disc. Refer to  article 58641 - Macintosh: Using Nonstandard Discs in CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drives.
3. Replace optical drive.
 
The disc icon does not show up on the desktop, or a dialog box appears to 
initialize disc
 
1. Verify the correct type of disc is being used.
2. Try cleaning the disc. It may not mount if dirty or scratched.
3. Try a different disc. 
4. Create new Mac OS X user and log in as that user. (So that the customer does not  question the new user, remove the user once disc is veri fied.)
5. Reseat optical drive cable.
6. Replace optical drive cable. 
7. Replace optical drive. 
						

							
 

6 - 
 
PowerBook G4 (12-inch) Troubleshooting Symptom Charts
 
The optical drive does not eject CD or DVD disc
 
1. Verify disc is not in use by quitting any applications that may be using the disc.
2. Press and hold Media Eject key at top right corner of keyboard. If that does not work, 
hold down Function (fn) key and Media Eject key.
3. Drag disc icon to trash or select it and press Command-E.
4. Choose Restart from Apple menu while holding down trackpad button.
5. Refer to Take Apart to remove the stuck disc and replace the optical drive.
 
Ports
 
FireWire or USB port not recognizing devices; or device not recognized by 
computer
 
Note:
 
 If you are trying to use a serial device with a USB/Serial adapter, check with the 
manufacturer of the adapter for compatibility.
1. Completely shut down, then press the power button to start the computer.
2. Use Software Update in Mac OS X system preferences to verify that the latest  software is installed.
3. Use Apple System Pro filer to verify that the computer is recognizing the device.
4. For USB, test ports with a known-good Apple keyboard or mouse. Try different USB  device on same port.
5. For FireWire, test by connecting another computer in FireWire Target Disk Mode.  Refer to article 58583: How to Use FireWire Target Disk Mode.
6. If a camera, turn on the camera before opening the video application.
7. Verify current driver for the device is installed. Verify that drivers are installed properly  for third party, if needed.
8. Create new Mac OS X user and log in as that user. (So that the customer does not  question the new user, remove the user once disc is veri fied.)
9. Try other port if available.
10. Try a different cable. (Cable noise could be a problem.)
11. Eliminate chain by plugging in only one peripheral.
12. If self powered make sure that the power supply is connected and devices LED  indicates that it is getting power.
13. Reset the power manager by pressing key combination Control-Option-Shift-power. 
 
Warning: Make sure you do not hold down the fn key when resetting the 
power manager.
 
14. Replace logic board. 
						

							
 

PowerBook G4 (12-inch) Troubleshooting - 
 
7
 
 Symptom Charts
 
Sound
 
Distorted sound from speakers
 
1. Verify sound is correct with external speakers/headphones. If sound is correct, replace top case.
2. Check balance in Sound preference pane.
3. Replace rear panel assembly with attached speakers. 
4. Replace subwoofer. 
 
No sound from speaker(s)
 
1. Use the Software Update preference pane to verify that the latest software updates  have been installed.
2. Press the F3 key to verify that mute mode is not enabled.
3. Press the F4 or F5 key to check the volume setting.
4. Verify no external speakers or headphones are plugged in.
5. In the Sound preference pane con firm that only one device is listed in the Output tab.
6. Shut down computer and restart.
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).
8. Verify that the speaker cable is connected properly to logic board.
9. Replace top case.
10. Replace logic board. 
						

							
 

8 - 
 
PowerBook G4 (12-inch) Troubleshooting Symptom Charts
 
Startup
 
The computer will not power on
 
1. Make sure that power adapter connector is fully inserted.
2. Remove any connected peripherals.
3. Try known-good power outlet.
4. Try known-good power adapter and power cord.
5. Remove battery.
6. Press Caps Lock key to see if light on key comes on. If it does, hold power button 
down for six seconds to shut down the computer and restart.
7. Reset the power manager by pressing the key combination Control-Option-Shift- power. 
 
Warning: Make sure you do not hold down the fn key when resetting the 
power manager.
 
8. Remove any additional RAM 
9. Remove AirPort Card.
10. Try known-good DC board.
11. Verify power button is connected properly to logic board, if power button is not functioning correctly or damaged, replace the top case.
12. Replace logic board.
 
The computer freezes during startup or a  flashing question mark appears
 
1. If using Classic in Mac OS X, check for incompatible extensions:
• Turn off system extensions in Classic by opening System Preferences, cli\
cking Classic, clicking the Advanced tab, and choosing Turn Off Extensions. Cl\
ick 
Restart Classic.
• If turning off extensions appears to solve the problem, identify and eli\
minate or  reinstall the extension that is causing the problem. Open the Extensions\
 Manager 
control panel, and turn off the extensions that you suspect are causing \
the 
problem. Restart Classic with the extensions turned on again.
2. From the Software Install and Restore disc, use Disc Utility. 
3. Reinstall the computer’s system software.