Powerbook 3400

[Strimkind]

Picked up a Free Powerbook 3400 that the guy considered non Functional. I turned it on with another power adapter and it booted after holding down the PRAM reset. First time the screen did not turn on. The second time it did turn on however it was weirded up but worked. Since there is no HD I put in a CD rom. It started to boot but eventually it bombed with an error that I could not read. A force restart did not result in the screen lighting up again.

I plan to open it up and test the monitor connection and the RAM connection. Does anyone else have any thoughts of what I can look for?

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Sounds like a plan to me!

Make sure the power connector hasn't worked a little loose on the MoBo while you're in there.

Test the PRAM Battery, maybe?

 

[Strimkind]

I'm fairly certain that the PRAM has been removed. It was included in a small bag and it looks like it leaked at some point. I am hoping not inside the unit. Will find out soon enough

 

[Hotdog Zanzibar]

It's probably kind of a mixed blessing that it didn't come with a hard drive. My 3400's stock 2gb quantum HD ran REALLY hot, and really loudly compared to the drive I replaced it with. I bought a 10gb IBM Travelstar drive several years ago and it's MUCH cooler and quieter than the 2gb.

 

[Strimkind]

Well I opened it up today and installed a HD and checked all the connectors. Everything other than the PRAM battery is in place and secure. Not sure why it is not booting up however there is a high pitch whine coming from the unit so perhaps that is an issue?

On a side note, does anyone know why wavelan Wireless cards stop working after a while in a powerbook?

 

[Hotdog Zanzibar]

Dunno about Wavelan cards, but my 3400 has been running for years on my MacWireless 11b PC Card with no problems.

 

[Unknown_K]

Well I opened it up today and installed a HD and checked all the connectors. Everything other than the PRAM battery is in place and secure. Not sure why it is not booting up however there is a high pitch whine coming from the unit so perhaps that is an issue?
On a side note, does anyone know why wavelan Wireless cards stop working after a while in a powerbook?

Define "after a while" and "stop working".

I use wavelan silvers on my laptops and they seem to work fine as long as the system doesn't go to sleep mode.