Apple PowerBook 3400c Service Manual

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Service Source

PowerBook 3400c/

PowerBook G3

PowerBook 3400c/180, 3400c/200, and

PowerBook G3

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Service Source

Hot Issues

PowerBook 3400/G3

Hot Issues Overview - 1

Overview

This chapter is designed to highlight unique or high­priority product issues that you should be aware of before
servicing the PowerBook 3400 and PowerBook G3.

This chapter alerts you to important issues and provides
links to other areas in the manual where more complete
information can be found. This chapter is not intended to
replace other parts of this manual; it merely provides a
pointer to pertinent information in those chapters.

The date the Hot Issue was published is indicated in
parentheses after the title.

Hot Issues PowerBook 3400: Modem Driver Update - 2

PowerBook 3400: Modem Driver
Update

Issue:

Customers may report one of the following problems

with their PowerBook 3400 modem:

1 The modem will not reset following a disconnect. I

sometimes have to wait 10 to 30 minutes before I can
reconnect to my service provider. Does this happen
because the modem is too hot?

2 When uploading a file using z-modem protocol I often get

multiple errors and my computer freezes or I get a
system error.

3 When I am downloading large files (2-2.5 MB) over the

modem I often get intermittent disconnects.

Hot Issues PowerBook 3400: Modem Driver Update - 3

Solution:

these situations, Apple has released a modem driver update.

Since many users believed these issues were heat-related,
they have had many dealers replace these modems. This
driver should resolve the issues and prevent needless
hardware replacement.

The Modem Driver update is posted at the Apple Software
Updates site. Apple Software Updates can be found on the
Service Source Companion 1 CD, and online as follows:
America Online, CompuServe, ftp.info.apple.com, and
ftp.support.apple.com, www.info.apple.com, and
www.support.apple.com. The path for the update is:

These problems are not heat-related. To address

Apple Software Updates
US
Macintosh
Unsupported

Hot Issues PowerBook 3400: Modem Driver Update - 4

PB 3400 Modem Driver Update.img
PB 3400 Modem Driver Update Info

The software is in the form of a disk image and requires Disk
Copy 6.1 (or later) or Disk Image Mounter (or later).
These can be downloaded from the Utilities folder under
Macintosh in the path listed above. The Info article provides
installation instructions.

Unsupported software is provided for customers to download
and use, but it is at your own risk. Apple does not provide
technical support for unsupported software.

This revision will be supported when it is rolled into the
next official software update.

Hot Issues PowerBook 3400: Display Cable Gasket Installation (8/97 and

PowerBook 3400: Display Cable
Gasket Installation (8/97 and 10/97)

Issue:

computers have been working loose from their logic board
connections. The customer-reported symptoms related to
this issue include no display image or backlight while the
computer is running.

Solution:

foam gasket to the underside of the brightness and speaker
grill to keep the cable connector in place. In fact, the foam
gasket is not available as a service part and cannot be
ordered separately.

If customers report symptoms related to a loose PowerBook
3400 display cable—intermittent or no display image/
backlight—service providers should replace the brightness

The display cables on some PowerBook 3400

The solution in the 8/97 Hot Issue was to install a

Hot Issues PowerBook 3400: Battery Gasket Installation (8/97) - 6

and speaker grill, part number 922-2488. All service
grills come with the foam gasket installed.

PowerBook 3400: Battery Gasket
Installation (8/97)

Issue:

A small number of PowerBook 3400 computers
running on battery power have unexpectedly shut down when
jostled or when pressure was applied to the battery area.
The problem is due to intermittent battery contact.

Solution:

Apple recommends adding a foam gasket to the inside of the
battery bay to improve battery contact. The gasket is
available free of charge in a user-installable kit. To order
the kit, customers may call 1-888-273-3594.
Alternatively, service providers may install the gasket for

If a PowerBook 3400 exhibits the above problem,

Hot Issues PowerBook 3400: Battery Gasket Installation (8/97) - 7

customers and can order the kit as service part number
076-0706. The installation is a warranty repair.

For instructions on installing the Battery Gasket, see
“Battery Gasket Installation” in the Additional Procedures
chapter of this manual.

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Basics

PowerBook 3400c/PowerBook G3

Basics Product Overview - 1

Product Overview

®

PowerBook 3400c

The PowerBook 3400c
computer is an all-in-one
notebook with several
features that greatly
increase its performance.
Its 603e microprocessor
runs at a clock frequency of
180, 200 or 240 MHz. In
addition to the 256K L2
cache, the PowerBook
3400c comes with 16 MB of
RAM and is upgradeable to
144 MB.

Basics Product Overview - 2

The system includes a 1, 2, or 3 GB hard drive, optional CD­ROM drive, and standard 1.44 MB floppy drive. And, with its

12.1" display, the screen is larger than previous
PowerBook displays.

PowerBook G3

The PowerBook G3 is based on the PowerBook 3400c, but
due to its 250-MHz PowerPC G3 processor, L2 backside
cache, and improved bus speed, the PowerBook G3 is
approximately twice as fast as the 240-MHz PowerBook
3400c. The PowerBook G3 also includes more RAM on
board, a higher powered battery, and a larger hard drive
than the PowerBook 3400c. In addition, the PowerBook G3
is shipping with MacOS 8, which is optimized to run with
the G3 processor. The combination of these features results
in PowerBook G3 break-through performance.

Basics System Configurations - 3

System Configurations

The PowerBook 3400c and G3 come in these configurations:

PowerBook 3400c/180 (February ‘97)

• Processor: 180-MHz PowerPC 603e

• RAM: 16 MB

• Drives: 1 GB hard drive; 1.44 floppy drive; optional 6x

CD-ROM drive

• Display: 12.1-inch SVGA

PowerBook 3400c/200 (February ‘97)

• Processor: 200-MHz PowerPC 603e

• RAM: 16 MB

• Drives: 2 GB hard drive; 1.44 floppy drive; 6x CD-ROM

drive

• Display: 12.1-inch SVGA

• Modem: EtherNet/modem card

Basics System Configurations - 4

PowerBook 3400c/240 (March ‘97)

• Processor: 240-MHz PowerPC 603e

• RAM: 16 MB

• Drives: 3 GB hard drive; 1.44 floppy drive; 12x CD-

ROM drive

• Display: 12.1-inch SVGA

• Modem: EtherNet/modem card

PowerBook G3 (November ‘97)

• Processor: 250-MHz PowerPC G3

• Cache: L2 backside cache

• RAM: 32 MB

• Drives: 5 GB hard drive; 1.44 floppy drive; 20x CD-

ROM drive

• Display: 12.1-inch SVGA

• Modem: EtherNet/modem card

Basics Repair Strategy - 5

Repair Strategy

Service the PowerBook 3400c and PowerBook G3 through
module exchange and parts replacement. Customers can
request on-site service from an Apple Authorized Service
Provider Plus (AASP+) Apple Assurance (US only), or
request a courier through the Apple Canada Technical
Answerline (Canada only). They can also choose carry-in
service from an AASP.

Ordering

Apple Service Providers planning to support the computer
systems covered in this manual may purchase Service
modules and parts to develop servicing capability. To order
parts, use the AppleOrder (US only) or ARIS (Canada only)
system and refer to “Service Price Pages.”

Basics Repair Strategy - 6

Large businesses, universities, and K-12 accounts must
provide a purchase order on all transactions, including
orders placed through the AppleOrder (US only) or ARIS
(Canada only) system.

USA Ordering

US Service Providers not enrolled in AppleOrder may fax
their orders to Service Provider Support (512-908-

8125) or mail them to

Apple Computer, Inc.
Service Provider Support
MS 212-SPS
Austin, TX 78714-9125

For US inquiries, please call Service Provider Support at
800-919-2775 and select option #1.

Basics Repair Strategy - 7

Canadian Ordering

Canadian Service Providers not enrolled in ARIS may fax
their orders to Service Provider Support in Canada
(1-800-903-5284). For Canadian inquiries, please call
Service Provider Support at 905-513-5782 and select
option #3.

Basics Warranty/AppleCare/ARIS - 8

Warranty/AppleCare/ARIS

US Only

The PowerBook 3400c and PowerBook G3 are covered under
the Apple One-Year Limited Warranty. The AppleCare
Service Plan is also available for these products. Service
Providers are reimbursed for warranty and AppleCare
repairs made to these computers. For pricing information,
refer to “Service Price Pages.”

Canada Only

The PowerBook 3400c and PowerBook G3 are covered under
first-year AppleCare. The Extended AppleCare Service Plan
is also available for these products. Service Providers are
reimbursed for first-year warranty and Extended
AppleCare repairs made to these computers. For pricing
information, refer to “Service Price Pages.”

Basics View of Front and Right Side - 9

View of Front and Right Side

Volume Control

Sleep Indicator

®

Microphone

Stereo Speakers

Brightness Control

Floppy Drive

Expansion Bay Drive Light

Security Slot

Battery

The front of the computer
includes the following:
stereo speakers, volume
control, brightness control,
sleep indicator, and
microphone.

The right side includes the
battery, security slot,
expansion bay drive light,
and floppy drive.

Basics View of Rear and Left Side - 10

View of Rear and Left Side

Infrared

Window

Expansion

Port

Reset Button

Printer/External

Modem Port

SCSI Port (HDI-30)

Video Port

Power

Adapter

Port

ADB Port

Elevation

Feet

Stereo Speaker

Sound
Output
Port

Sound
Input
Port

Two PCMCIA
card slots

PC Card
Eject Buttons

The rear panel includes the
infrared window, reset
button, and these ports:
expansion, printer/external
modem, SCSI, video, and
power adapter.

The left side includes a
stereo speaker, two PC card
(PCMCIA) slots, PC card
eject buttons, and these
ports: sound input, sound
output, and ADB.

Basics Logic Board - 11

(F

3400)

ront of

603e Microprocessor

Fan

Connector

Power

Supply

Connector

Trackpad

Connector

LED

Connector

Ethernet/

Modem Board

Connector

CD-ROM or

Floppy Drive

Connector

Infrared

Connector

Hard Drive Connector

PCMCIA
Mechanism

Keyboard
Connectors

Display
Connector

16MB
Onboard
RAM

RAM Card
Connector

PCMCIA
Connector

Brightness &
Speaker
Connector

Logic Board

The logic board includes
onboard RAM, the PCMCIA
mechanism, and numerous
connectors.

Basics Signals on the Video Connector - 12

Signals on the Video Connector

Pin Signal Name Description

1 RED Red video signal
2 GREEN Green video signal
3 BLUE Blue video signal
4 MONID(0) Monitor ID signal 0
5 GND DDC return
6, 7, 8 AGND_VID Analog video ground
9 +5V_IO 5 V Power for I/O device
10 GND HSYNC & VSYNC Ground
11 VGA_ID VGA ID signal
12 MONID(2) Monitor ID signal 2
13 HSYNC Horizontal

synchronization signal

14 VSYNC Vertical synchronization

signal

15 MONID(1) Monitor ID signal 1

Basics Battery Information - 13

Battery Information

Warning:

(LiIon)battery supplied with the computer. Batteries
designed for other portable computers may look similar, but
they may not work with your computer and may damage it.

The LiIon and nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries look
similar. To distinguish them,

• Read the label on the battery, which will identify the

• Look for battery indicator lights; if the battery has

For the main battery, use only the lithium-ion

battery as either “LiIon” or “NiMH.”

them, it’s a LiIon battery.

Basics Battery Information - 14

Main Battery

For their main batteries,
the PowerBook 3400c and
G3 use lithium ion (LiIon)
batteries. Each battery
provides power for up to
four hours of work time.

Note

: Although these
batteries fit into a Power­Book 190/5300, it will not
recognize or charge them.

Note:

To use the PowerBook
G3 battery in a PowerBook
3400c, you may need to
install a software update.

Basics Battery Information - 15

Optional Battery

The PowerBook 3400c and G3 computers can also use a
nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) battery. This battery
provides somewhat less work time; the precise amount of
work time depends on the model you have and the battery
conservation features you use.

Battery Handling Guidelines

The following are guidelines for properly handling the
PowerBook 3400c and G3 batteries:

Warning:

should not be thrown out with household or office trash. Take
dead batteries to an Apple authorized service provider for
recycling or proper disposal. Review battery handling and
disposal instructions in Safety Information in Bulletins/

LiIon batteries contain hazardous chemicals and

Basics Battery Information - 16

Safety.

• Handle the battery carefully. Do not drop, puncture,
disassemble, mutilate, or incinerate it.

• Do not leave a battery in the computer for longer than a
week without plugging in the power adapter.

• Always put the battery cap on the battery when the
battery is out of the PowerBook. The battery contacts
should not be exposed when the battery is out of the
computer.

• Do not leave the battery in hot locations (such as the
trunk of a car).

• Do not leave a battery in storage for longer than six
months without recharging it.

• Never get batteries wet.

• Do not short-circuit the battery terminals. Doing so may
cause an explosion or a fire.

• Recharge batteries only as described in the user’s manual
and only in ventilated areas.

Basics PC Card Handling - 17

PC Card Handling

Two PC Card slots (also
known as PCMCIA slots) are
featured in the PowerBook
3400c and G3 computers.

The two slots accept a
variety of third-party PC
Cards with 68-pin
connectors.

There are three types of PC
Cards: Type I (3.3 mm),
Type II (5 mm), and Type III
(10.5 mm). Type I and Type
II cards fit in either the
upper or lower slot of the PC

Basics PC Card Handling - 18

Card unit. Type III cards can only be placed in the lower slot.
When a Type III card is in the lower slot, the upper slot
cannot be used.

The following are guidelines for properly handling PC Cards:

• Use only cards that are compatible with the PC Card unit.
Refer to the compatibility information that came with the
card. If you cannot find the compatibility information,
call the card vendor.

• Do not insert anything other than a PC Card into the card
slots.

• The computer must be on or off in order to eject a PC
Card. When the computer is in sleep mode, a PC Card
cannot be ejected.

• Before you eject a card, make sure nothing is blocking
the card’s slot.

Basics PC Card Handling - 19

• If you want to use the card again immediately, pull it out
about an inch more and then push it back in. If you don’t
follow this procedure and try to push the card back in to
use it again, the card will not engage properly.

• Do not pull on a PC Card before it has been ejected out of
the slot. Forcing a PC Card out of the slot may damage the
computer or the card.

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Service Source

Specifications

PowerBook 3400c /PowerBook G3