Pseudo-Mac mini G3

Hi folks,

Does anyone know off-hand what happens if you simply remove the built-in LCD from an iceBook G3/600 (or disconnect it) and then connect up to an external display? I've just been trying to google that, but I just get references on using the iBook in Clamshell mode. I'm wondering this because a while back someone on the 68KMLA (thanks) said my iBook G3 issues could be due to the LCD cable rather than bad solder balls on the GPU (which I understand isn't fixable).

This would give me a sort-of Mac mini G3, I think, if I squint hard and apply enough imagination ;-) !

Snial said:

bad solder balls on the GPU (which I understand isn't fixable).

Click to expand...

One can’t reball it?

croissantking said:

One can’t reball it?

Click to expand...

I have one where just running the hot air station over it got it working again, and it’s still working 2 years later.

Durosity said:

I have one where just running the hot air station over it got it working again, and it’s still working 2 years later.

Click to expand...

croissantking said:

One can’t reball it?

Click to expand...

Double-take! Yeah, a while back I thought that was very possible, and then I saw a post that said it was a waste of time and it was more likely to be the display cable. It's nice to be corrected, because I liked my iBook G3/600.

I would need a training session on how to do this (temperature and timing) and I don't have a hot-air station either. OTOH, I wouldn't want to make any of you guys spend hours dismantling my iBook G3/600. I would be willing to post the logic board if it's a quick job and compensate you for the effort.

Is that a reasonable option?

-cheers from Julz

Snial said:

Does anyone know off-hand what happens if you simply remove the built-in LCD from an iceBook G3/600 (or disconnect it) and then connect up to an external display?

Click to expand...

That has been my go to method if connecting an external display does not work. We have ran many Apple laptops "headless" because the logic board does not work with any display, however these were mostly Intel-based and newer. It still should work on G3 & G4 laptops though.
Keep in mind that if you switch external monitors once setup the first time, you probably will have to do a PRAM reset.

You can also try these key commands once external video is connected to force external video:
Command F1
Option F14 (brightness key?) - Click gather windows, click Arrangement & select Mirror

Snial said:

wouldn't want to make any of you guys spend hours dismantling my iBook G3/600. I

Click to expand...

Back in the day when these were dropping like flies, I swear I could have dismantled and rebuilt one of those iBooks blindfolded. Those army guys doing it with their rifles woulda been nothing compared to how fast I was at it.

I’d be willing to give reflowing the chip a go, but @croissantking might be able to do a reball of it which would be more likely to succeed, assuming the chip itself hasn’t been fried.. as I recall the issue could also cause the chips to short out.

Durosity said:

Back in the day when these were dropping like flies, I swear I could have dismantled and rebuilt one of those iBooks blindfolded. Those army guys doing it with their rifles woulda been nothing compared to how fast I was at it.

Click to expand...

And this is why you're part of the 68KMLA!

Durosity said:

I’d be willing to give reflowing the chip a go, but @croissantking might be able to do a reball of it which would be more likely to succeed, assuming the chip itself hasn’t been fried.. as I recall the issue could also cause the chips to short out.

Click to expand...

@croissantking , any offer is great. The iceBook was only ever flaky. It didn't totally fail, it was just that the video display frequently went really glitchy and sometimes that caused a crash. I tried a dumb method of applying more pressure on the GPU at one point using some fairly thin card. Having said all this, I did find that adjusting the angle of the display sometimes resolved the issue for a while.

Thing is, I really liked my iceBook G3! It gave me 4 years of good use and I didn't want to get rid of it when I bought my PowerBook G4 12" even though the PBG4 was far more powerful. I think the iBook was less clinical and felt more pleasant to hold. Also the translucent case was more appealing than later white cases. And of course, the iBook could run proper Mac OS 9.2.1. I actually bought the combo version to start playing around with some amateur FireWire video editing using iMovie and my Canon MV500 (which still works).

-cheers from Julz