Powerbook G4 Aluminum 17 1 67 Ghz High Res Lower Case Replacement Repair Guide

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Difficult

Steps

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Sections

Battery
1 step
Memory Door
2 steps
Upper Case
7 steps
Speakers
21 steps
Logic Board
13 steps
Heat Sink & Fan Assembly
17 steps
Lower Case
11 steps

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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Battery

Use your thumbs to push the two battery retaining tabs away from the battery.
The battery should pop up enough to rotate it toward yourself and lift it out of the lower case.

Use your thumbs to push the two battery retaining tabs away from the battery.

The battery should pop up enough to rotate it toward yourself and lift it out of the lower case.

1024

Step 2

              Memory Door

Remove the three 2.3 mm Phillips screws securing the memory cover to the lower case.

Remove the three 2.3 mm Phillips screws securing the memory cover to the lower case.

Step 3

Lift the memory cover slightly and pull it toward yourself to remove it from the lower case.

Lift the memory cover slightly and pull it toward yourself to remove it from the lower case.

Step 4

              Upper Case

Remove the following ten screws:
Two 14.7 mm shouldered Phillips.
Three 12.3 mm Phillips.
One 3.8 mm T8 Torx.
One 6.8 mm T8 Torx.
Three 1.3 mm Phillips.

Remove the following ten screws:

Two 14.7 mm shouldered Phillips.

Three 12.3 mm Phillips.

One 3.8 mm T8 Torx.

One 6.8 mm T8 Torx.

Three 1.3 mm Phillips.

Step 5

The ZIF cable is located underneath the bottom RAM slot. If your PowerBook has both RAM slots occupied, make sure to remove the RAM chip.
Use your fingernails to separate the ZIF cable lock away from its socket. (Move the two brown bits down 1mm)
The ZIF cable lock will move about a millimeter away from the socket before it stops (see picture 2). Do not try to remove the ZIF cable lock.

The ZIF cable is located underneath the bottom RAM slot. If your PowerBook has both RAM slots occupied, make sure to remove the RAM chip.

Use your fingernails to separate the ZIF cable lock away from its socket. (Move the two brown bits down 1mm)

The ZIF cable lock will move about a millimeter away from the socket before it stops (see picture 2). Do not try to remove the ZIF cable lock.

Step 6

Use the tip of a spudger to slide the trackpad ribbon cable out of its socket.

Use the tip of a spudger to slide the trackpad ribbon cable out of its socket.

Step 7

Remove the four 3.4 mm Phillips screws from the PC card side of the PowerBook.
When replacing these screws, you must reinstall each screw in the correct order. Begin by installing the screw closest to the display hinge, and go out from there.

Remove the four 3.4 mm Phillips screws from the PC card side of the PowerBook.

When replacing these screws, you must reinstall each screw in the correct order. Begin by installing the screw closest to the display hinge, and go out from there.

Step 8

Remove the four 3.4 mm Phillips screws from the DVI connector side of the PowerBook.
When replacing these screws, you must reinstall each screw in the correct order. Begin by installing the screw closest to the display hinge, and go out from there.
During reassembly, make sure to reinstall the two screws on the right into their appropriate locations, and not the DVI port anchor holes.

Remove the four 3.4 mm Phillips screws from the DVI connector side of the PowerBook.

During reassembly, make sure to reinstall the two screws on the right into their appropriate locations, and not the DVI port anchor holes.

Step 9

Depress the display latch release button and open your display.

Depress the display latch release button and open your display.

Step 10

Starting near the display, lift the upper case straight up off the lower case, minding any cables that may get caught.

Starting near the display, lift the upper case straight up off the lower case, minding any cables that may get caught.

Step 11

              Speakers

Disconnect the RJ-11 cable from the modem.

Disconnect the RJ-11 cable from the modem.

Step 12

If necessary, remove the strip of tape covering the speaker cables.

If necessary, remove the strip of tape covering the speaker cables.

Step 13

Use your fingernails or the tip of a spudger to separate the ZIF cable lock from its socket.
The ZIF cable lock will move about 1 mm and stop. Do not attempt to completely remove the ZIF cable lock.

Use your fingernails or the tip of a spudger to separate the ZIF cable lock from its socket.

The ZIF cable lock will move about 1 mm and stop. Do not attempt to completely remove the ZIF cable lock.

Step 14

Pull the DC-in ribbon cable straight away from its socket.

Pull the DC-in ribbon cable straight away from its socket.

Step 15

Peel the DC-in cable off the adhesive securing it to the lower case.

Peel the DC-in cable off the adhesive securing it to the lower case.

Step 16

If necessary, use the tip of a spudger to remove the small piece of foam tape from the side of the left speaker.
De-route the AirPort antenna cables from the channel in the left speaker.

If necessary, use the tip of a spudger to remove the small piece of foam tape from the side of the left speaker.

De-route the AirPort antenna cables from the channel in the left speaker.

Step 17

Remove the single 6.9 mm T8 Torx screw securing the left speaker to the lower case.

Remove the single 6.9 mm T8 Torx screw securing the left speaker to the lower case.

Step 18

Lift the left speaker from its rear edge and maneuver it out of the lower case, minding the cables sitting in the channel near the front edge of the left speaker.

Lift the left speaker from its rear edge and maneuver it out of the lower case, minding the cables sitting in the channel near the front edge of the left speaker.

Step 19

Remove the single 6.9 mm T8 Torx screw securing the speaker cable ground loop to the lower case.

Remove the single 6.9 mm T8 Torx screw securing the speaker cable ground loop to the lower case.

Step 20

Peel back the piece of foil tape covering the modem cable to free the speaker cable held underneath.

Peel back the piece of foil tape covering the modem cable to free the speaker cable held underneath.

Step 21

Pull the speaker cable straight up to disconnect it from the sound card.

Pull the speaker cable straight up to disconnect it from the sound card.

Step 22

In the next few steps, you will disconnect several ribbon cables that cover the right speaker cable.
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive ribbon cable connector up off the logic board.

In the next few steps, you will disconnect several ribbon cables that cover the right speaker cable.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive ribbon cable connector up off the logic board.

Step 23

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the sound card cable connector up off the logic board.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the sound card cable connector up off the logic board.

Step 24

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the optical drive cable connector up off the logic board.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the optical drive cable connector up off the logic board.

Step 25

Step 26

Pull the PRAM battery & USB board cable out of its socket.

Pull the PRAM battery & USB board cable out of its socket.

Step 27

Use a spudger to de-route the display data cable from the channel in the right speaker.

Use a spudger to de-route the display data cable from the channel in the right speaker.

Step 28

Use the tip of a spudger to pry the power button LED window off the right speaker.
Try to place the window curved-side down on your work surface to keep the adhesive around its perimeter clean.

Use the tip of a spudger to pry the power button LED window off the right speaker.

Try to place the window curved-side down on your work surface to keep the adhesive around its perimeter clean.

Step 29

Remove the single T8 6.9 mm Torx screw securing the right speaker to the lower case.

Remove the single T8 6.9 mm Torx screw securing the right speaker to the lower case.

Step 30

Lift the right speaker out of the lower case.

Lift the right speaker out of the lower case.

Step 31

De-route the speaker cable from the clips along the front edge of the logic board.
The clips open in different directions, so be careful to not break any off during removal.

De-route the speaker cable from the clips along the front edge of the logic board.

The clips open in different directions, so be careful to not break any off during removal.

Step 32

              Logic Board

Close your PowerBook, minding any cables that may interfere, and flip it over.
Disconnect the power cable connector by pulling it straight away from its socket on the logic board.

Close your PowerBook, minding any cables that may interfere, and flip it over.

Disconnect the power cable connector by pulling it straight away from its socket on the logic board.

Step 33

Disconnect the battery cable connector straight away from its socket on the logic board.

Disconnect the battery cable connector straight away from its socket on the logic board.

Step 34

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the AirPort/Bluetooth cable connector up off the logic board.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the AirPort/Bluetooth cable connector up off the logic board.

Step 35

Turn the PowerBook back over.
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the modem cable connector up off the logic board.

Turn the PowerBook back over.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the modem cable connector up off the logic board.

Step 36

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the PC card cage cable connector up off the logic board.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the PC card cage cable connector up off the logic board.

Step 37

Disconnect both of the following connectors from the logic board:
Left fan cable.
Inverter cable.
Be sure to pull only parallel to the face of the logic board, as pulling up on the socket will break it off the logic board.
When pulling these connectors away from their sockets, it is helpful to use your fingernails to pull on the ears at each side of the connector.

Disconnect both of the following connectors from the logic board:

Left fan cable.

Inverter cable.

Be sure to pull only parallel to the face of the logic board, as pulling up on the socket will break it off the logic board.

When pulling these connectors away from their sockets, it is helpful to use your fingernails to pull on the ears at each side of the connector.

Step 38

Remove the following four screws securing the optical drive to the lower case:
Three 6.8 mm T8 Torx.
One 3.8 mm T8 Torx.
Lift the optical drive out of the lower case, minding any cables that may get caught.

Remove the following four screws securing the optical drive to the lower case:

Three 6.8 mm T8 Torx.

Lift the optical drive out of the lower case, minding any cables that may get caught.

Step 39

If necessary, remove the piece of tape securing the display data cable to the logic board.

If necessary, remove the piece of tape securing the display data cable to the logic board.

Step 40

Pull the display data cable away from its socket to disconnect it from the logic board.
Be sure to pull only parallel to the face of the logic board, as pulling up on the socket will break it off the logic board.

Pull the display data cable away from its socket to disconnect it from the logic board.

Step 41

Disconnect the right fan by pulling its connector away from the socket on the logic board.
When pulling this connector away from its socket, it is helpful to use your fingernails to pull on the ears at each side of the connector.
Be sure to pull only parallel to the face of the logic board, as pulling up on the socket will break it off the logic board.

Disconnect the right fan by pulling its connector away from the socket on the logic board.

When pulling this connector away from its socket, it is helpful to use your fingernails to pull on the ears at each side of the connector.

Step 42

Remove the following 12 screws:
Three black 5.7 mm T8 Torx.
Three 7 mm T8 Torx with spring washers.
Three 6.8 mm T8 Torx.
Three 3.8 mm T8 Torx.

Remove the following 12 screws:

Three black 5.7 mm T8 Torx.

Three 7 mm T8 Torx with spring washers.

Three 3.8 mm T8 Torx.

Step 43

If necessary, use a spudger to pry up the left edge of the logic board to separate the solidified thermal paste from the heat sink.
If any resistance is felt when prying up on the logic board, we recommend softening the thermal paste by heating the board with a hair dryer before prying further.

If necessary, use a spudger to pry up the left edge of the logic board to separate the solidified thermal paste from the heat sink.

If any resistance is felt when prying up on the logic board, we recommend softening the thermal paste by heating the board with a hair dryer before prying further.

Step 44

Lift the logic board from its left edge and rotate it toward the right side of the lower case.
The logic board on this model has a tendency to get caught on the lower case near the DVI port at the upper right corner. If it catches as you are rotating it, stop to avoid bending and breaking the logic board.
Rotate the logic board until it is nearly vertical, and wiggle it around until it releases from the lower case.
When reinstalling your logic board, be sure to apply thermal paste to the CPU. Our thermal paste guide makes it easy.
Only replace the gray thermal paste on the CPU. The white thermal material on the GPU chips can be reused.

Lift the logic board from its left edge and rotate it toward the right side of the lower case.

The logic board on this model has a tendency to get caught on the lower case near the DVI port at the upper right corner. If it catches as you are rotating it, stop to avoid bending and breaking the logic board.

Rotate the logic board until it is nearly vertical, and wiggle it around until it releases from the lower case.

When reinstalling your logic board, be sure to apply thermal paste to the CPU. Our thermal paste guide makes it easy.

Only replace the gray thermal paste on the CPU. The white thermal material on the GPU chips can be reused.

Step 45

              Heat Sink & Fan Assembly

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the modem cable connector up off the modem.
The modem cable is now completely free and can be removed.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the modem cable connector up off the modem.

The modem cable is now completely free and can be removed.

Step 46

Use a 4 mm nut driver to remove the two nuts securing the modem to the PC card cage.
Lift the modem straight up off the studs on the PC card cage.

Use a 4 mm nut driver to remove the two nuts securing the modem to the PC card cage.

Lift the modem straight up off the studs on the PC card cage.

Step 47

Use the tip of a spudger to peel back the small strip of copper tape off the edge of the PC card cage near the side of the lower case.

Use the tip of a spudger to peel back the small strip of copper tape off the edge of the PC card cage near the side of the lower case.

Step 48

Remove the four Phillips screws securing the PC card cage to the lower case.
The two longer shouldered screws belong in the end of the PC card cage closest to the logic board.
Lift the PC card cage by its center piece and maneuver it out of the lower case.

Remove the four Phillips screws securing the PC card cage to the lower case.

The two longer shouldered screws belong in the end of the PC card cage closest to the logic board.

Lift the PC card cage by its center piece and maneuver it out of the lower case.

Step 49

When reinstalling your PC card cage, be sure to insert the post sticking up from the PC card release button into the hole in the black plastic release mechanism on the PC card cage.

When reinstalling your PC card cage, be sure to insert the post sticking up from the PC card release button into the hole in the black plastic release mechanism on the PC card cage.

Step 50

Use the tip of a spudger to press the metal pressure connector down through the hole in the AirPort/Bluetooth board and lift it out from the lower case.

Use the tip of a spudger to press the metal pressure connector down through the hole in the AirPort/Bluetooth board and lift it out from the lower case.

Step 51

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the AirPort/Bluetooth board off the adhesive securing it to the lower case.
Be careful not to bend the bracket attached to the top right corner of the AirPort/Bluetooth board.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the AirPort/Bluetooth board off the adhesive securing it to the lower case.

Be careful not to bend the bracket attached to the top right corner of the AirPort/Bluetooth board.

Step 52

If necessary, remove the piece of tape and EMI foam covering the AirPort/Bluetooth antennas.
Don’t forget to reapply this piece of tape during reassembly. It insulates the bare antenna connectors from the metal PC card cage.

If necessary, remove the piece of tape and EMI foam covering the AirPort/Bluetooth antennas.

Don’t forget to reapply this piece of tape during reassembly. It insulates the bare antenna connectors from the metal PC card cage.

Step 53

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both antenna connectors off the AirPort/Bluetooth board.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both antenna connectors off the AirPort/Bluetooth board.

Step 54

Before proceeding, be sure your display is perpendicular to the lower case.
Remove four T6 Torx screws from the left display hinge.
We intentionally have you leave one screw in the left display hinge to aid in disassembly.
The screw holding the plastic display cable bracket to the lower case is shorter than the rest.

Before proceeding, be sure your display is perpendicular to the lower case.

Remove four T6 Torx screws from the left display hinge.

We intentionally have you leave one screw in the left display hinge to aid in disassembly.

The screw holding the plastic display cable bracket to the lower case is shorter than the rest.

Step 55

Remove four T6 Torx screws from the right display hinge.
We intentionally have you leave one screw in the right display hinge to aid in disassembly.
The screw holding the plastic display cable bracket to the lower case is shorter than the rest.

Remove four T6 Torx screws from the right display hinge.

We intentionally have you leave one screw in the right display hinge to aid in disassembly.

Step 56

While supporting the display with one hand, remove the last two T6 Torx screws from the display hinges.

While supporting the display with one hand, remove the last two T6 Torx screws from the display hinges.

Step 57

Lift the display straight up from the lower case, minding any cables that may get caught.
Check out our display install tips to help properly reinstall your display.

Lift the display straight up from the lower case, minding any cables that may get caught.

Check out our display install tips to help properly reinstall your display.

Step 58

Remove the two T8 Torx screws securing the DC-in board to the lower case.

Remove the two T8 Torx screws securing the DC-in board to the lower case.

Step 59

Pull the DC-in board away from the left side of the lower case and set it aside.
It may be necessary to use a spudger to pry the board away from the aluminum frame attached to the lower case.

Pull the DC-in board away from the left side of the lower case and set it aside.

It may be necessary to use a spudger to pry the board away from the aluminum frame attached to the lower case.

Step 60

Remove seven Torx T8 screws from the heat sink and fan assembly.
The screw in the upper right corner is shorter than the others.

Remove seven Torx T8 screws from the heat sink and fan assembly.

The screw in the upper right corner is shorter than the others.

Step 61

Lift the heat sink and fan assembly out of the lower case.
Lift the heat sink and fan assembly out of the lower case.

Lift the heat sink and fan assembly out of the lower case.

Step 62

              Lower Case

Remove the following four screws:
Three 11.1 mm T8 Torx.
One 3.9 mm T8 Torx.
Lift the hard drive out of the lower case.

Remove the following four screws:

Three 11.1 mm T8 Torx.

One 3.9 mm T8 Torx.

Lift the hard drive out of the lower case.

Step 63

Remove the two T8 Torx screws securing the sound card to the lower case.

Remove the two T8 Torx screws securing the sound card to the lower case.

Step 64

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the USB sockets away from the left edge of the lower case.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the USB sockets away from the left edge of the lower case.

Step 65

Lift the sound card slightly out of the lower case, minding the fragile lower portion holding the microphone connector.
The sound card is still attached to the PowerBook by the microphone cable.

Lift the sound card slightly out of the lower case, minding the fragile lower portion holding the microphone connector.

The sound card is still attached to the PowerBook by the microphone cable.

Step 66

Pull the sound card ribbon cable straight away from its socket on the sound card.

Pull the sound card ribbon cable straight away from its socket on the sound card.

Step 67

Use your fingernails to pull the microphone connector straight away from its socket on the sound card.

Use your fingernails to pull the microphone connector straight away from its socket on the sound card.

Step 68

Remove the two T8 Torx screws securing the PRAM battery & USB board to the lower case.

Remove the two T8 Torx screws securing the PRAM battery & USB board to the lower case.

Step 69

Pull the board away from the side of the lower case to separate the USB socket from the bezel on the lower case.
Lift the PRAM battery & USB board out of the lower case.

Pull the board away from the side of the lower case to separate the USB socket from the bezel on the lower case.

Lift the PRAM battery & USB board out of the lower case.

Step 70

If necessary, remove the strip of yellow kapton tape covering the battery connector.

If necessary, remove the strip of yellow kapton tape covering the battery connector.

Step 71

Remove the two 8.5 mm T8 Torx screws securing the battery connector to the lower case.

Remove the two 8.5 mm T8 Torx screws securing the battery connector to the lower case.

Step 72

Pull the battery connector out of its opening in the lower case.
Lower case remains.

Pull the battery connector out of its opening in the lower case.

Lower case remains.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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Attached Documents

Aluminum-17"-Screw-Guide.pdf
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Aluminum-17"-Screw-Guide.pdf

PDF - 548.05 kb

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                    Walter Galan

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Introduction#

What you need#

Attached Documents#

Introduction

What you need

Attached Documents