Apple PowerBook G3 Series Service Manual
K
Service Source
PowerBook G3 Series
M4753
K
Service Source
Hot Issues
PowerBook G3 Series
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 G3 Series computers.
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.
To familiarize yourself with a new product family, always
read the Basics chapter in its entirety.
Hot Issues Overview - 2
PowerBook G3 Series: Identifying PowerBook
G3 Series Circuit Boards
Discussion:
boards it is very important to check the ID codes to verify
that you are ordering the correct part.
The ID codes listed below can be found within the serial
numbers that are attached to the circuit boards. They are
not part of the whole unit serial number that is attached to
the bottom of the PowerBook.
These serial numbers can be located in the following
locations.
• Microprocessor Board: Follow the instructions in Service
Source for removing the microprocessor card. With the
card removed, look at the serial number/bar code label
on the SODIMM conector on the bottom side of the card.
When replacing PowerBook G3 Series circuit
Hot Issues Overview - 3
• I/O Logic Board: This serial number label is viewable
from the opening for the PC Card slots. You don’t need to
disassemble the PowerBook. Gently push in the PC Card
slot doors and look inside the opening. You should see the
serial number/bar code label. You may need to use a
small flashlight to see the lettering on the label.
The ID codes are printed in one of two ways:
– Either the next-to-last three characters in the serial
number. For example, if the serial number is
*CK8xxxxxyyyx* then the ID code would be “yyy”.
– Or within the last 5 characters of the serial number.
For example, if the serial number is
*KC8xxxxxxyyyxx* then the ID code would be “yyy”.
This type of serial number label has Singapore printed
directly after the serial number.
Hot Issues Overview - 4
Exchange Parts Like for Like
Unless directed otherwise in the Service Parts Database,
exchange parts like for like. Refer to the following table for
the listing of ID Codes.
Microprocessor Board
Description Service
ID Code
Part #
233 MHz/0 cache 661-2035 BKF
233 MHz/512K cache 661-2089 DW3, ERN
250 MHz/1 M cache 661-2036 BKE
266 MHz/1 M cache 661-2097 EE8
292 MHz/1 M cache 661-2021 BAD
300 MHz/1 M cache 661-2088 DW4
Hot Issues Overview - 5
.
I/O Logic Board
Description Service
Part #
2 MB SGRAM, no TV out 661-2058 BKG,
2 MB SGRAM, TV out 661-2094 DW6
ID
Code
DGK,
DFL
Hot Issues Intermittent Video with 13.3” Display - 6
Intermittent Video with 13.3” Display
Customers may describe symptoms related to intermittent
video when using PowerBook G3 Series computers
configured with the 13.3* display. Reported symptoms may
include one of the following:
• intermittent vertical lines
• flickering of the video
• the screen may fade to white.
These symptoms may be caused by an intermittent
connection between the internal display cable and the
connector it attaches to on the display. If the customer
experiences one of these symptoms the unit should be
dispatched for replacement of the display cable.
Replacement of the I/O logic board or the display are not
necessary.
Hot Issues Intermittent Video with 13.3” Display - 7
Service Providers are asked to contact Apple to arrange for
the unit to be dispatched to Apple’s Central Product Repair
Center. If customers wish, they may contact Apple to
arrange this dispatch themselves.
K
Service Source
Basics
PowerBook G3 Series
Basics Product Overview - 1
Product Overview
The PowerBook G3 Series is
the first PowerBook to offer
build-to-order options that
include a choice of
microprocessor speed,
internal hard disk, on-board
RAM, and display size and
type.
Note:
The PowerBook G3
Series can be distinguished
from other PowerBooks by
its physical design and the
family marketing number
M4753 on the bottom
product label.
Basics Product Overview - 2
Features
The PowerBook G3 Series includes
• PowerPC G3 microprocessor running at clock speeds of
233, 250, 266, 292, or 300 MHz
• Backside L2 cache of up to1 MB of fast static RAM
• Two standard SO-DIMM expansion slots for SDRAM
modules and 32 MB minimum of SDRAM installed,
Click the icon above to
see a 360-degree view
and some of the exterior
features of the PowerBook
G3 Series.
expandable to 192 MB total
• Built-in hard disk drives of 2 to 8 GB
• Choice of 13.3 or 14.1-inch TFT display with XGA
resolution (1024 x 768 pixels), or 12.1-inch STN or
TFT display with SVGA resolution (800 x 600 pixels)
• Standard VGA video connector for external video monitor
with XGA resolution, or S-video connector that supports
PAL and NTSC video monitors
• Either 2 MB or 4 MB of video SGRAM
• Built-in 2D and 3D graphics acceleration via video
Basics Product Overview - 3
circuits
• Two expansion bays for batteries, floppy disk drive, CDROM drive, DVD-ROM drive, and other IDE or PCI devices
• Two CardBus slots that accept one Type III or two Type II
CardBus cards or PC Cards
• Built-in Ethernet port with a 10BaseT connector
• Infrared link for up to 4 Mbit-per-second IrDA data
transfer
• Built-in modem with 56 kbps data rate in some
configurations (optional)
• Built-in microphone and speakers as well as a line-level
stereo input jack and a stereo headphone jack
• New keyboard design with an embedded numeric keypad
and inverted-T arrow keys
• New compact 45 watt AC adapter
Basics System Configurations - 4
System Configurations
At introduction in May, 1998, six basic configurations of
the PowerBook G3 Series computer were available. With
build-to-order options, customers may customize their
PowerBook G3 Series computers in a variety of ways.
In September, 1998, five new configurations were
introduced that feature three new processor cards and
support resolution switching of the display. An additional
configuration was added October 1. To determine whether the
unit you are looking at is one of these later configurations,
check the Apple System Profiler to see if the unit has a clock
speed of 233 MHz with 512K cache, 266 MHz, or 300 MHz.
For more details on these configurations and on the buildto-order-options, see the Data Sheet at the end of the
Specifications chapter of this manual.
Basics System Configurations - 5
PowerBook G3 Series configurations introduced May, 1998
M6359LL/A M6477LL/A M6481LL/A
Display
Processor Speed
Backside L2 Cache
Memory (SDRAM)
Video (SGRAM)
Hard Disk Drive
Floppy Drive
CD-ROM Drive
K56flex Modem
S-video Out
12.1 STN 12.1 STN 13.3 TFT
233 MHz 233 MHz 233 MHz
No No No
32MB 32MB 32MB
2MB 2MB 4MB
2GB IDE 2GB IDE 2GB IDE
No Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes
No Yes No
No No Yes
Basics System Configurations - 6
PowerBook G3 Series configurations introduced May, 1998 (cont.)
M6357LL/A M6484LL/A M6541LL/A
Display
Processor Speed
Backside L2 Cache
Memory (SDRAM)
Video (SGRAM)
Hard Disk Drive
Floppy Drive
CD-ROM Drive
K56flex Modem
S-video Out
13.3 TFT 14.1 TFT 14.1 TFT
250 MHz 233 MHz 292 MHz
1MB No 1MB
32MB 32MB 64MB
4MB 4MB 4MB
4GB IDE 2GB IDE 8GB IDE
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Yes No Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Basics System Configurations - 7
PowerBook G3 Series configurations introduced September, 1998
M7229LL/A
M6359LL/A M6477LL/A
Display 12.1 STN 12.1 STN 12.1 TFT
Processor Speed 233 MHz 233 MHz 233 MHz
Backside L2 Cache No No 512K
Memory (SDRAM) 32MB 32MB 32MB
Video (SGRAM) 2MB 2MB 2MB
Video Controller ATI Rage LT ATI Rage LT ATI Rage LT PRO
Hard Disk Drive 2GB IDE 2GB IDE 2GB IDE
CD-ROM Drive Yes Yes Yes
K56flex Modem No Yes No
S-video Out No No Yes
(October 1, 1998)
Basics System Configurations - 8
PowerBook G3 Series configurations introduced September, 1998 (cont.)
M7109LL/A M7110LL/A M7111LL/A
Display 14.1 TFT 14.1 TFT 14.1 TFT
Processor Speed 233 MHz 266 MHz 300 MHz
Backside L2 Cache 512K 1MB 1MB
Memory (SDRAM) 32MB 64MB 64MB
Video (SGRAM) 4MB 4MB 4MB
Video Controller ATI Rage LT PRO ATI Rage LT PRO ATI Rage LT PRO
Hard Disk Drive 2GB IDE 4GB IDE 8GB IDE
CD-ROM Drive Yes Yes No
DVD-ROM Drive No No Yes
K56flex Modem Yes Yes Yes
S-video Out Yes Yes Yes
Basics DVD-Video PC Card Option - 9
DVD-Video PC Card Option
The DVD-Video PC card is an
option that was introduced in
July, 1998 for the
PowerBook G3 Series.
Together with its software,
the DVD-Video PC card
provides DVD-Video
playback capabilities for
PowerBook G3 Series
computers equipped with a
DVD-ROM expansion bay
module.
DVD discs are similar to
music CDs and CD-ROM
Basics DVD-Video PC Card Option - 10
discs, but they can hold up to 25 times the amount of data.
This greater capacity allows an entire movie to be stored on
a single disc, usually with extra storage space left over.
Some DVD-Video discs use the additional storage space for
different language tracks, extra video clips, and director’s
notes.
Click the icon above for
the DVD-Video PC Card
operation and installation
manual.
Important:
Audio and video quality varies extensively
among DVD-Video disc titles. Symptoms that suggest a DVDVideo PC card failure could actually be caused by a damaged
or poorly manufactured DVD-Video disc. To avoid needless
DVD-Video PC card replacement, we suggest testing at least
two DVD-Video disc titles to see if the symptom persists. For
troubleshooting procedures, refer to “DVD-Video PC Card”
in the Troubleshooting chapter.
For DVD specifications refer to the DVD data sheet that
follows the Specifications chapter in this manual.
Basics Repair Strategy - 11
Repair Strategy
In the US only, refer to the latest program notice for special
service considerations. Beginning September 1, 1998,
parts for the PowerBook G3 Series will be available for
order through the Service Price Pages and the AppleOrder
and ARIS systems. Except for the displays, Apple Authorized
Service Providers in the US can now repair PowerBook G3
Series systems. In Canada, Apple Authorized Service
Providers can also repair displays.
Because of the complexity of the repairs, we are limiting all
PowerBook G3 Series display repairs, except for repairing
the latch, to the Central Product Repair Center (CPRC). This
includes the 12.1" STN display. On PowerBook G3 Series
12.1” STN displays, the EMI shield is prone to tearing and
may not fit correctly after reassembly (refer to the
Additional Procedures chapter for more information).
Basics Repair Strategy - 12
Service the PowerBook G3 Series computers through module
exchange and parts replacement. Customers can request onsite service from an Apple Authorized Service Provider Plus
(AASP+), Apple Assurance (US only), or 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 the PowerBook G3 Series “Service
Price Pages.”
Large businesses, universities, and K-12 accounts must
provide a purchase order on all transactions, including
Basics Repair Strategy - 13
orders placed through the AppleOrder (US only) or ARIS
(Canada only) system.
US 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 - 14
Canadian Ordering
In Canada, all service parts (including the displays) are
available through ARIS. Refer to the Service Price Pages or
Service Source Online for part numbers and pricing.
Canadian Service Providers not enrolled in ARIS may fax
their orders to Service Provider Support in Canada (1800-903-5284). For Canadian inquiries, please call
Service Provider Support at 905-513-5782 and select
option #3.
Basics Warranty/AppleCare/ARIS - 15
Warranty/AppleCare/ARIS
US Only
The PowerBook G3 Series computers are covered under the
Apple One-Year Global 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 G3 Series computers are covered under
first-year AppleCare. The Extended 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.”
Basics Repair Issues - 16
Repair Issues
Prevent Cosmetic Damage
The outside plastics of the PowerBook G3 Series computers
are vulnerable to scratches and finger marks from skin oil.
To prevent cosmetic damage to a customer’s PowerBook, do
not wear jewelry when handling the computer, and wear
gloves if you have them available. Wipe fingerprints from
the outside plastics with a damp cloth.
Install Microprocessor Board Securely
The microprocessor board can be partially inserted and the
computer will still function. However, over time, heat will
cause the microprocessor board to lose contact and can cause
the system to have intermittent problems such as no booting.
Basics Repair Issues - 17
Therefore, verify proper installation by pressing on the
microprocessor board connector a second time to make sure
the board is fully seated.
Verify Parts Before Placing Orders
The PowerBook G3 Series computers offer build-to-order
features. For this reason, it is mandatory that you either see
the part you are replacing, or use diagnostics to identify the
part, before you place a parts order. Misidentification of
parts may occur if this step is not performed first.
Exchange Parts Like for Like
Unless directed otherwise in the Service Parts Database,
exchange parts like for like. Refer to the following table for
special part considerations.
Basics Repair Issues - 18
PowerBook G3 Series Part ID Codes
Part Description
Microprocessor
Board
I/O Logic Board 2 MB SGRAM, no TV out, ATI Rage LT
Modem 56K, Americas, GV
Battery Bottom and side shims
233 MHz/0 cache
233 MHz/512K cache
250 MHz/1 M cache
266 MHz/1 M cache
292 MHz/1 M cache
300 MHz/1 M cache
2 MB SGRAM, TV out, ATI Rage Pro
4 MB SGRAM, TV out, ATI Rage Pro
4 MB SGRAM, TV out, ATI Rage LT
K56flex/V.90, North America/Asia
Bottom shim only
Service Part
Number
661-2035
661-2089
661-2036
661-2097
661-2021
661-2088
661-2058
661-2094
661-2087
661-2019
661-1504
661-2098
661-2069
661-2069
ID Code or
Characteristic
BKF
DW3, ERN
BKE
EE8
BAD
DW4
BKG, DGK, DFL
DW6
DW7
B9B, DGL, DFM
white insulator
E3J
AXW or E7L
E3W or E7M
Basics Repair Issues - 19
Note:
ID codes are in the last five digits of the serial number
on the component or part. To see the I/O logic board serial
number, turn the top of the unit toward you, push in on the
PC Card door, and look down at the bottom case.
I/O Logic Board Identification
There are two I/O logic boards with both TV out and 4 MB of
SGRAM. Look for these differences to differentiate them:
• 661-2019 has components at locations U8 and U9 on the
top of the board under the microprocessor board, and an
ATI Rage LT chip on the bottom of the board.
• 661-2087 has no components at locations U8 and U9 on
the top of the board under the microprocessor board, and
has an ATI Rage Pro chip on the bottom of the board.
Basics Repair Issues - 20
Microprocessor and I/O Logic Board Compatibility
I/O logic boards and microprocessor boards shipped in early PowerBook G3
Series computers are not compatible with those shipped later and should not
be used together. Refer to the chart below to check compatibility when
replacing these parts.
Table 1: Microprocessor—I/O Logic Board Compatibility Chart
661-2019 661-2058 661-2087 661-2094
661-2021 yes yes no yes
661-2035 yes yes no yes
661-2036 yes yes no yes
661-2088 no no yes no
661-2089 no no yes no
661-2097 no no yes no
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