iBook G4 12" 1.33 Ghz upper case connections repair/resoldering

[adam25255]

Hi everyone! I am one of those who had issues with iBook G4 logic board connectors.(previously working) The worst deigned laptop to be honest.(it is not possible to properly disconnect those cables because of weakened solder)

How is it best to repair those fragile connectors on logic board? Basically tried to replace HDD for mSATA SSD... Everything went well, until I started removing upper case. Trackpad connector fell off completely(would not mind that much, power button connector is somehow wiggling(serious issue here), guess it does not make proper contact anymore, since when I press power button nothing happens.(Juice flows, when I reassembled it, started charging battery, I guess logic board is still ok)
No fans, drive sounds, nothing.(DVD drive sounds should be there)
Speaker connector is still stable.(worst access, I am glad)

Is it better to resolder?(please how is it best?) or just solder wires to solder pads and make connector in the middle?(easy future repairs)

Is it possible to start laptop properly without battery and semi-disassembled?(bottom case, upper case, upper shield removed, upper case has attached keyboard and power button(in case of fix, so that person soldering it can test it immediately) Do you have any hack for starting without power button?(would be helpful to 100% rule out logic board failure, although unlikely and test SSD)

I have some people who should handle that soldering, so please write some advice here please.(sorry for bad photos, but it can be seen, missing connector and one out of position))

 

[Byrd]

Hi Adam,

Sounds like you're not having much fun - laptop connectors are super fragile, solder is no better or worse than other Macs of the era. I recall there are solder pads on G4 PowerBooks to power it on, have a look around the motherboard to see. Test continuity of the power button - as you say it's probably not working and this is your case of no power (but charging OK).

As for repair, re solder what's broken or source a donor board, it's painful to recreate.

JB

 

[adam25255]

Hi. Definitely not fun. There connectors were the worst I have ever seen I have took better photos.(it is not sitting straight)

From iFixit: The plug has two holes in the back that slot into two pins on the board.(Definitely looks like that that(socket is not seated properly on logic board snd as a result pins appear shorter and not making contact.(notice position against metal frame next to it)

How to repair that? Will jumping of contacts make laptop boot?

 

[Byrd]

You can push the pins back through the plastic housing. Yes, if that’s where the power switch plugs in, shorting this will power on

 

[adam25255]

You can push the pins back through the plastic housing. Yes, if that’s where the power switch plugs in, shorting this will power on

Shorting does not seem to work. So then it it is worse problem.

 

[adam25255]

Definitely going for hard-wiring(with connector in the middle) of power button and trackpad resolder.