iBooking it.

[TheMacGuy]

Bought 2 iBook G3s off Craigslist today! Paid $25 for both and 1 charger. They both have their own problems, one has a DVD drive issue, other had the video card issue, so on and so forth. I need figure out how to fix the graphics card problem on the later model. I probably won't keep both, but we'll see. Both have some plastic pry marks scuffs, scratches, dirt, etc. Just needs some TLC. One is the original dual-USB model, I'm still trying to figure out the other. Original idea was for him to fix it, but his girlfriend became pregnant, and he doesn't have time anymore. Anyway, here are the specs!:

Original one:

500MHz G3

192MB of RAM (64MB original)

10GB HDD

CD drive

2nd or 3rd Revision:

600MHz G3

640MB of RAM (128MB original)

20GB HDD

CD drive

 

[ClassicHasClass]

but his girlfriend became pregnant, and he doesn't have time anymore.

Well, that's all his fault, isn't it? }

I am less enamoured with the iceBook G3s (as opposed to the fruitBooks, which are whimsical and solid machines). I have my brother-in-law's dual USB G3 and the backlight is dead on it, and I hear of lots of them with recurrent issues like this. Plus there was that whole logic board soldering problem which also affected the early G4s.

 

[directive0]

I really liked my ibook g4 when I had it, but like you said classic; the gpu and logic board ball-solder thing was a PITA to fix.

I see these guys all over the place, and have had them offered, but I stay clear now. Its too bad cause they are really neat, I think!

Enjoy em!

 

[TheMacGuy]

What would be the best way to fix the GPU? It's driving me nuts!

 

[Hugh]

I've had this with my first iBook a few years ago, and basically the graphics chip has come unsoldered in places, so, after a lot of research I put a shim inside the case to put pressure on the chip and hold the connections in place.

http://www.powerbook-fr.com/ibook/bricolage/repair_g3_video_en_article797.html gives an example, although I used a small coin. iFixIt has more detailed take apart instructions - http://www.ifixit.com/Device/iBook_G3_12%22.

However, it made the case bulge a little on the underside, and as far as I remember didn't last more than a couple of months.

A more extreme solution is heat - http://www.geektechnique.org/projectlab/726/diy-obsolete-ibook-logic-board-repair.html but I really didn't want to take it this far.

A proper repair would mean taking the logic board to a professional and having the solder reflowed on the graphics chip, probably not a cheap option, but more permanent.

Hope this helps,

Cheers

Hugh

 

[TheMacGuy]

Guess I'm going to get a heat gun! Funniest part is the fact I bought them and it worked fine, took it to my car, powered it on, BOOM graphics problem! The other one (knocks on wood) doesn't have the problem, but it seems all the iBook G3s and older G4s had this problem. Its probably just a matter of time...

 

[mcdermd]

techknight on the boards here will do BGA reflows on an IR reflow station for a fee.