mac - PowerBook 1400cs/166 won't power on

07
2014-07
  • Aaron McRuer

    I recently came into possession of an Apple PowerBook 1400cs/166. When I got it today, it was working, but I had to take it apart in order to repair some case damage. After putting it back together, I tried turning it back on to no avail. The battery's probably mostly toasted (it is almost 20 years old, after all), but I've been attempting run it without the battery and with the power supply plugged in. I've also tried the steps in this guide, but again, no effect.

    I'm pretty sure everything was plugged back in correctly in reassembly, and I've tried reconnecting the keyboard (since that's where the power button is), but no dice. I've done relatively little repair work on Macs before, so I'm out in new territory. Any ideas of what I could have on my hands here?

    EDIT:

    It's probably worth noting that the area around the adapter feels a bit warm and gives off the ever-pleasant hot plastic and electronics smell when it's plugged in. Not sure if this was the case before I got the unit or not.

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    Related Question

    keyboard - Mac 17" Powerbook G4 won't start up after being opened up
  • Ho Li Cow

    A friend's taken the keyboard off his 17" Mac G4 Powerbook, screwed it back on and now nothing happens when presses the power button. I don't have 'eyes-on' but he says he didn't do anything else apart from unscrew it, look around then screw it back on. Has anyone been inside a Powerbook or have any idea what the problem could be?

    Cheers


    • Related Answers
  • Josip Medved

    He probably just disconnected keyboard's ribbon. Unscrew it again and check ribbon connection. In worst case scenario, he pulled it little bit harder so you will need to unscrew half of computer in order to reach keyboard ribbon socket.

  • caliban

    Having gone through many G4 Powerbook dismantlings myself, your friend might have not properly re-connected either

    1) the keyboard ribbon 2) the power cable connecting

    It happens to me a few times too - dismantled everything, then only to reassemble back and find it's not powering on.

    At this point in time, since you have no "eyes-on" as you said, I recommend that you suggest to your friend to once again dismantle everything, and reassemble everything, according to schematics and pictures that could assist him (choose the appropriate model for his 17"). However, when it comes to finally reconnecting the keyboard - do not fasten the screws - just connect the ribbon and press the power button to ensure it is working. If not, troubleshoot from there by reseating RAM, plugging in power (be sure to ground yourself), etc.

    Cheers, let us know what happens.

  • MDMarra

    Try re-seating the battery -- that's the easy one to check. Otherwise he might have shocked something on the board when he was undoing the ribbon? It may be better for your friend to post the question so we can get some more details.

  • Seasoned Advice (cooking)

    I had this same problem but I observed that my PowerBook G4 1GHz came back when I prayed and detached the trackpad ribbon and took the RAM out and put it back in again. Hope this helps.