Apple PowerBook 500 series Service Manual

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Service Source

PowerBook 500 Series

PowerBook 520, PowerBook 520c,

PowerBook 540, PowerBook 540c

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Service Source

Basics

PowerBook 500 Series

Basics General Information - 1

General Information

The PowerBook 500 Series
introduces a number of
technology and design
innovations to the
PowerBook family of
computers. The series
features a built-in
trackpad, intelligent
batteries, two battery bays,

Figure: PowerBook 520, 520c, 540, and 540c

an optional PCMCIA
expansion module, and four
displays: monochrome and
color FSTN and active­matrix displays.

Basics Rear Panel - 2

Rear Panel

The illustration below shows the location of ports and
connectors on the rear panel of the PowerBook 500 Series.

Basics PB Screw Matrix - 3

PB Screw Matrix

Nine different types of screws are used in the PowerBook
500 Series. All are Torx screws and require either a T-8
or T-6 Torx screwdriver.

Note:

The legend for the screws follows on the next page.

Basics PB Screw Matrix - 4

Legend for PowerBook 500 Series Screws

1 Feet

2 Hard drive, keyboard, bottom case (middle front),

display assembly, floppy drive, daughterboard EMI
shield (top edge), inside edge of top case, right side panel

3 Display bezel, display, clutch, DAA

4 Trackpad cable and actuator, daughterboard EMI shield

(sides), motherboard standoff

5 Rear panel

6 Hard drive bracket

7 Inverter board, interconnect board

8 Bottom case (front corners), left side panel

9 Floppy drive bracket

Basics PB Cable Matrix - 5

PB Cable Matrix

For a matrix of cables that work with specific models of the
PowerBook family of computers, refer to the PowerBook

Cable Matrix

in the Hardware/Compatibility Charts tab.

Basics PCMCIA Module Handling - 6

PCMCIA Module Handling

The PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association) expansion module is an option for
the PowerBook 500 Series. The module inserts into the
computer’s second (left) battery bay and has two slots that
accept a variety of third-party PCMCIA cards.

There are three types of PCMCIA cards: Type I (3 mm),
Type II (5 mm), and Type III (10 mm). Type I and Type II
cards fit in either the upper or lower slot of the expansion
module. Type III cards fit in the lower slot and take up both
slots.

The following are guidelines for properly handling the
PCMCIA expansion module:

• Do not insert or remove the PCMCIA expansion module
while the computer is on or in Sleep mode. if you do, the

Basics PCMCIA Module Handling - 7

computer will shut down and all RAM contents will be
lost.

• Eject the PCMCIA module using the lever at the front of
the module; eject a PCMCIA card using the PCMCIA Eject
control panel or the PCMCIA Quick Eject module in the
computer’s Control Strip.

• Keep the protective cap that comes with the module and
place it back on the module when it is not in use.

• Do not open the module or insert anything other than a
PCMCIA card into the card slots.

• Keep the module in a safe place, away from small objects
that might fall into it.

• Before ejecting a PCMCIA card, make sure nothing is
blocking the card’s slot. To immediately reinsert the
card, pull it out an inch more and then push it back in.

• Use only cards that are compatible with the PCMCIA
expansion module. Refer to the compatibility
information that came with the card.

Basics Battery Handling - 8

Battery Handling

The PowerBook 500 Series computers include one or two
nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries. Each battery
provides power for up to 3.5 hours of work time, depending
on the battery conservation features employed. A smart
processor included in each battery pack indicates the
battery’s charge status.

±

Warning:

undamaged, dead batteries to Apple for recycling—do not
discard dead batteries with other waste. If the battery is
damaged, do not return it to Apple. Dispose of damaged
batteries according to local ordinances. Review battery­handling and disposal instructions in Bulletins/Safety

NiMH batteries contain toxic materials. Send

.

Basics Battery Handling - 9

The following are guidelines for properly handling the
PowerBook 500 Series battery:

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

• Do not short-circuit the battery terminals.

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

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

• Keep the battery in a cool, dark place; do not store it for
longer than 6 months without recharging.

• If you are using one battery: Completely discharge and
then recharge the battery once every 90 days.

• If you are using two batteries: Swap the left and right
batteries every month.

• Fully charge a replacement battery before using it;
Apple ships batteries in a partially charged state.

Basics Battery Verification - 10

Battery Verification

Negative
Probe

Positive
Probe

The Control Strip on the
PowerBook 500 Series
desktop shows the battery
charge and the rate at which
the battery is being used.
Use a voltmeter to measure
the actual battery charge:

• Set the voltmeter to the
10 volts DC scale.

• Hold the positive probe of
the voltmeter to the
positive battery terminal
and the negative probe to
the negative terminal.

Basics Battery Verification - 11

• A fully charged battery
measures approximately

10.8 volts; a fully
discharged battery
measures 7.8 volts.

Note:

If a battery is stored
outside the computer for
extended periods, its voltage
may drop to 5.0.

Basics Adapter Verification - 12

Adapter Verification

Adapter

Plug

Negative
Probe

Positive
Probe

To verify the charge of the
AC adapter,

• Plug in the AC adapter to

a wall socket.

• Set a voltmeter to the 10

volts DC scale.

• Touch the positive volt-

meter probe to the inside
of the adapter plug and
touch the negative volt­meter probe to the
outside of the plug. If the
reading is not 16 volts,
replace the adapter.

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Service Source

Specifications

PowerBook 500 Series

Specifications Processor - 1

Processor

PB 520/520c

PB 540/540c

Addressing

Motorola 68LC040 microprocessor
50/25 MHz

Motorola 68LC040 microprocessor
66/33 MHz

32-bit internal registers
32-bit address bus
32-bit data bus

Specifications Memory - 2

Memory

RAM

ROM

PRAM

VRAM

Clock/Calendar

4 MB RAM installed on the daughterboard
Expandable to 12 MB with 8 MB Apple RAM expansion card
Expandable to 36 MB with third-party RAM expansion card

2 MB

256 bytes of parameter memory

512K of static video display memory

CMOS custom chip with long-life lithium battery

Specifications Disk Storage - 3

Disk Storage

Floppy Drive

Hard Drive

15 mm high, internal, 1.4 MB Apple SuperDrive

2.5 in. hard drives (160 MB, 240 MB, and 320 MB capacities)

Specifications I/O Interfaces - 4

I/O Interfaces

SCSI

Apple Desktop Bus

Serial

Sound

HDI-30 SCSI port with 1.5 MB/sec. transfer rate
Supports up to six external SCSI devices
Connect SCSI device to computer with HDI-30 SCSI system cable.

Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) port
200 mA maximum current draw for all ADB devices

RS-422 serial port; mini DIN-8 connector

Stereo sound-in port
Stereo sound-out headphone jack; standard 3.5 mm stereo

miniplugs

Specifications I/O Interfaces - 5

Video

Ethernet

Processor-Direct Slot

Power Adapter

Modem

Security

Micro DV-14 video-out port; 8 bit, 256 color video output
Supports most Macintosh, VGA, and SVGA monitors

High-speed Ethernet port; Apple AUI connector

90-pin processor-direct slot (PDS) for PDS devices or optional

Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
(PCMCIA) adapter/PCMCIA expansion module (allows use of
two Type II or one Type III PCMCIA-type card)

Power adapter port

Slot for optional internal modem

Slot for third-party security equipment

Specifications I/O Devices - 6

I/O Devices

Keyboard

Trackpad

Microphone

Built-in keyboard with 12 function keys
76 keys domestic, 77 keys ISO
Two-level tilt adjustment

Solid-state trackpad

Electret, omnidirectional
Output voltage of 4 mV, peak to peak

Specifications Sound and Video - 7

Sound and Video

Sound Generator

PB 520 Video Display

PB 520c Video Display

PB 540 Video Display

Apple sound chip provides 16-bit sound capable of driving stereo

headphones or other stereo equipment through the sound jack

Built-in stereo speakers

9.5-in. (24 cm) diagonal screen
Backlit, FSTN grayscale display (16 levels); 640 x 480 pixels

9.5-in. (24 cm) diagonal screen
Backlit, dual-scan color display (256 levels); 640 x 480 pixels

9.5-in. (24 cm) diagonal screen
Backlit, active-matrix grayscale display (16 levels); 640 x 480

Specifications Sound and Video - 8

PB 540c Video Display

9.5-in. (24 cm) diagonal screen
Backlit, active-matrix color display; 640 x 400 pixels at

thousands of colors; 640 x 480 pixels at 256 colors

Specifications Electrical - 9

Electrical

Main Battery

Power Adapter

One or two nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries
Up to 3.5 hours of usage per battery before recharging
Recharge time: 2 hours in shut down or sleep mode, 4 hours while

computer is running

110–240 VAC line voltage
40 W, 50–60 Hz

Specifications Physical - 10

Physical

Dimensions

Height
Width
Depth

Weight

PB 520/520c
PB 540/540c

2.25 in. (5.7 cm)

11.5 in. (29.2 cm)

9.65 in. (24.5 cm)

6.4 lb. (2.9 kg) with one battery

7.3 lb. (3.3 kg) with two batteries

Specifications Environmental - 11

Environmental

Operating Temperature

Storage Temperature

Relative Humidity

Operating Altitude

Storage Altitude

50–104°F (10–40°C)

-13 to 140°F (-25 to 60°C)

20–80% noncondensing

0–10,000 ft. (0–3048 m)

0–15,000 ft. (0–4572 m)

Specifications Other - 12

Other

Internal Modem

SCSI Adapter

PCMCIA Module

Sends and receives data at 19.2 bps; sends and receives faxes at

14.4 bps

Enables connection between PowerBook computer and desktop

Macintosh (PowerBook appears as a hard drive on the desktop)

Enables use of two Type I or II PCMCIA cards or one Type III card

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Service Source

Troubleshooting

PowerBook 500 Series

Troubleshooting General - 1

General

The Symptom Charts included in this chapter will help you
diagnose specific symptoms related to your product. Because cures
are listed on the charts in the order of most likely solution, try
the first cure first. Verify whether or not the product continues to
exhibit the symptom. If the symptom persists, try the next cure.
(Note: If you have replaced a module, reinstall the original module
before you proceed to the next cure.)

If you are not sure what the problem is, or if the Symptom Charts
do not resolve the problem, refer to the Flowchart for the product
family.

For additional assistance, contact Apple Technical Support.