Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) 03-09 Service Manual



Service Source

PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz)

16 September 2003

© 2003 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.



Service Source

Take Apart

PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz)

© 2003 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.

General Information

Overview

Some key features that distinguish this computer from the previous 17-inch PowerBook:

PowerBook G4 (17-inch

1.33GHz)

Microprocessor

L2 Cache (on-chip)

Graphics Chip

USB

SuperDrive

1.33GHz 1GHz

512K 256K

ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 nVidia GeForce4 420

2.0 1.0

2x DVD write 1x DVD write

PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart -

PowerBook G4 (17-inch)

1

New Procedures

Flex cable compatibility

The sound and modem flex cables are not interchangeable with the original PowerBook
G4 (17-inch) system. The main logic board will be damaged. The correct flex cables have
the word “POWERBOOK G4 17" 1.33GHZ ONLY.”

No L3 cache

L3 cache is not used on this system. So unlike the previous model, there is no blue
thermal pad on the logic board facing the keyboard.

Thermal module interface

Thermal gel is now used on the ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 graphics chip as well as the
Intrepid chip. The thermal module is different from the previous 17-inch PowerBook. It has
a different interface feature for the graphics chip and now has three heat pipes instead of one.

Important Notes

• If a flex connector has a plastic film located on the top that can be lifted up on one
side, use it to carefully pull up and wiggle the connector from side to side to disconnect
it. Otherwise rock the connector from side to side to disconnect.

• The AirPort Extreme card assembly has a flex cable glued to the card, making it
unique and specific to this computer.

Tools

The following tools are recommended for the take apart procedures.

• ESD wrist strap and mat

• Soft cloth

• #00 Phillips screwdriver (magnetized)

• #0 Phillips screwdriver (magnetized)

• #1 Phillips screwdriver (magnetized)

• 4 mm socket wrench

• Needlenose pliers

• Torx T6 screwdriver

• Torx T8 screwdriver

• Razor knife

• Black stick (nylon probe tool 922-5065) (or other nonconductive nylon or plastic flat­blade tool)

• Multi-compartment screw tray (such as a plastic ice cube tray)

• Kapton® tape

• Voltmeter (for troubleshooting)

• Small low-power magnet (for troubleshooting)

• Apple Pro keyboard and mouse (for troubleshooting)

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PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart

Serial Number Location

The serial number is located in the battery bay.

PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart -

3

Zero Insertion Force Connectors

Zero insertion force (ZIF) connectors are used in several locations in the computer.

Important:

separate from the connector. When releasing a bar, use extreme care and a restrained
light pressure to move the bar only slightly.

Warning: If a locking bar breaks, you will need to replace the board.

The locking bar on the ZIF connector is extremely fragile and is not intended to

To release the flex cable

Use a flat-blade tool to move the bar on both sides.

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PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart

To connect a flex cable

Make sure the locking bar is released, then slide the end of the flex cable all the way into
the connector. Hold the cable in place, then slide the locking bar into the connector on
both sides to secure.

Important:

the metal edge on the cable as a guide to ensure the cable is straight.

Warning: If the flex cable is inserted crooked, some signals may not be connected
or signals may short together (a bad connection is shown below.)

Verify that the cable is straight. Use either the alignment mark, if present, or

Note:

If a cable is not securing properly, verify that it is inserted on the correct side of the

locking bar.

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Feet

Tools

This procedure requires the following tools:

• Foot kit

• Tweezers or needlenose pliers

• Soft cloth

Preliminary Step

Before you begin, check the bottom case of the computer and compare it with the images
in this table. Make sure the foot you want to replace has an intact plug on the bottom case.

Plug Area on Bottom Case Matching Foot Action

Missing plug Not available for

replacement

Plug (either one) Foot Continue with the

Replace the bottom
case, or send the
computer to the Apple
Repair Center for
repair.

procedure, matching
the replacement foot to
either plug on the
bottom case.

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PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart

Feet

Procedure

Warning:

glue. In the event of contact, review the safety instructions at the end of this section. For
additional information, refer to the glue manufacturer:

1. Place the computer upside down on a clean, lint-free cloth or other nonabrasive

2. Make sure the plug area on the bottom case is clean. If any portion of the soft rubber

The glue used in this procedure can bond instantly to skin. Do not touch the

Elmer's Products, Inc.
Columbus, OH. 43215-3799
www.krazyglue.com

surface.

foot remains, remove it so that only the hard plastic plug is visible (as shown with both
types of plugs below).

Important:

foot, make sure the raised bump on the textured plane of the rubber foot fits into the
center hole in the plug. This ensures a balanced and level fitting.

Notice the recessed hole in the center of the plug. When positioning the

Feet

PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart -

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3.

Warning:

touch the glue at any time. Before opening the glue, review the safety instructions at
the end of this section.

GLUE IS AN EYE AND SKIN IRRITANT. BONDS SKIN INSTANTLY. Do not

Important:

seal until you are ready to use the glue. To break the seal, hold the tube upright and
away from you. Place the hollow nozzle cap on the tube and tighten it all the way
down. The tube is then ready to dispense the glue through the nozzle cap.

4. Apply one drop of glue to the plug on the bottom case. Do not spread the glue.

5. Using tweezers or needlenose pliers, carefully position the new foot so it is centered

over the plug, and its integral bumps fit into the compatible holes in the plug.

6. Using the end of the tweezers or pliers—not your finger—lightly press and hold the

foot in place for 30 seconds.

The glue tube included in the kit is sealed until first use. Do not break the

7. Before turning over the computer, allow the glue to set for at least 15 minutes.

8. Discard the tube of glue.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:

INSTANTLY. Contains ethyl cyanoacrylate. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. If eye or
mouth contact occurs, hold eyelid or mouth open and rinse thoroughly but gently with
water only for 15 minutes and GET MEDICAL ATTENTION. Liquid glue will sting eye
temporarily. Solidified glue may irritate eye like a grain of sand and should be treated by an
eye doctor. If skin bonding occurs, soak in acetone-based nail polish remover or warm
soapy water and carefully peel or roll skin apart (do not pull). Contact through clothing may
cause skin burn. If spilled on clothing, flush with cold water. Avoid prolonged breathing of
vapors. Use with adequate ventilation. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

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PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart

GLUE IS AN EYE AND SKIN IRRITANT. BONDS SKIN

Feet

Battery

Tools

This procedure requires the following tools:

• Soft cloth

Part Location

Battery

Preliminary Steps

Warning: Always shut down the computer before opening it to avoid damaging its
internal components or causing injury. After you shut down the computer, the
internal components can be very hot. Let the computer cool down before
continuing.

PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart -

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Procedure

Warning: If the computer has been recently operating, allow it to cool down before
performing this procedure.

1. Shut down the computer.

2. Disconnect the power cord and any other cables connected to the computer.

3. Place the computer face down on a soft cloth.

4. Slide both battery latches away and lift the battery out of the battery bay.

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PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart

Battery

Memory Door and Memory Cards

Tools

This procedure requires the following tools:

• Soft cloth

• #0 Phillips screwdriver

Part Location

Preliminary Steps

Before you begin, remove the battery.

Memory Door and Memory Cards

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Procedure

Warning: If the computer has been recently operating, allow it to cool down before
performing this procedure.

1. Place the computer face down on a soft cloth.

2. Remove the three screws from the memory door.

Note:

Check for lost screws caught by magnets inside the front edge of the battery well.

3. Lift the memory door up slightly and slide it straight back to remove.

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Memory Door and Memory Cards

Note:

If only one memory card is installed, it’s factory installed in the top memory slot

(nearest to outside edge of the computer).

4. To remove either memory card, first release it by spreading apart the tabs in the

memory slot from the notches in the card until the card pops up slightly.

5. Pull the card straight out of the memory slot.

Memory Door and Memory Cards

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6. Align the notch in the board with the tab in the slot and insert the replacement memory

cards at a 30-degree angle, pushing the card firmly until fully seated.

7. Check that the notches in the card clear the tabs as you press down on the sides of

the card to lock it into place.

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PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart

Memory Door and Memory Cards

8. To reinstall the memory door, hold it at a low angle to the battery bay and slide it in

under the back edge, then lay it flat. If the door springs up and does not lay flat without
tension, remove it and reinstall at a lower angle.

Memory Door and Memory Cards

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9. Install the memory door screws.

Note:

Before securing, check that the door edge rests flush and inside the ridge.

10. Replace the battery.

11. Use Apple System Profiler to verify that the memory is recognized. (Choose the menu

bar Apple logo () > About This Mac, click More Info..., select the System Profile tab,
open the Memory Overview.)

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PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart

Memory Door and Memory Cards

Top Case

Tools

This procedure requires the following tools:

• #0 Phillips screwdriver (magnetized)

• #1 Phillips screwdriver (magnetized)

• Torx T8 screwdriver (magnetized)

• Black stick (or other nonconductive nylon or plastic flat-blade tool)

• Soft cloth

• Multi-compartment screw tray (21 screws to remove the top case)

Part Location

Top Case

PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart -

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Preliminary Steps

Before you begin, remove the following:

• Battery

• Memory door

• Lower memory card (nearest to battery bay), if present

Procedure

Note:

This procedure removes the top case and keyboard assembly. The keyboard is

attached to the top case and is not removed.

1. Place the computer face down on a soft cloth.

2. Remove the three screws inside the battery bay.

Note:

These screws are shorter than on the memory door. Use care not to lose the

screws into holes along the battery bay.

Note:

Check for lost screws caught by magnets inside the front edge of the battery well.

3. Remove the five screws along the back edge (the two outside screws are longer and

have “shoulders”).

4. Remove the two screws on the logic board.

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PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart

Top Case

5. Locate the top case flex cable and ZIF connector.

6. Very carefully disconnect and remove the cable from the connector.

Important:

much force is used. (See “Zero Insertion Force Connectors” heading.)

The ZIF connector and locking bar are fragile and can easily break if too

Top Case

PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart -

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7. Open the display and place the computer on its side.

8. Remove four side screws from both sides.

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PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart

Top Case

9. Turn the computer over.

10. Pull up on the top case along the sides and front until it releases.

Note:

A black stick inserted and twisted under the top case seam may be helpful.

Top Case

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Replacement Procedure

Note:

If replacing the top case, remove the keyboard and transfer it to the replacement top

case.

1. Visually check to verify that all cables (highlighted below) are connected and routed

correctly with nothing raised up or incorrectly over a component.

2. Check perimeter wiring, where shown, to verify that it will not be caught or pinched by

the top case during replacement.

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PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart

Top Case

3. Check that display cable brackets are properly seated and secured with screws.

4. Verify that cables for Bluetooth, AirPort Extreme, inverter and power cable from the

DC-in board are routed and seated correctly in channels around the left speaker.

Top Case

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5. Verify that the LVDS cable’s metal bead fits into the metal channel (rounded side up so

that its teeth secure it) and that the cable is secured into the channel along the right
speaker.

6. Verify that the sleep LED wires route over the notch in the frame (secure with Kapton

tape) and along the inside channel away from the front edge so that it will not be
damaged when replacing the top case.

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PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart

Top Case

7. On the top case, check cable connections and routing.

8. Check that the perimeter metal tabs are not bent.

Note:

Do not bend the tabs; the metal quickly fatigues and can break off easily.

Top Case

PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart -

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9. Lay the top case upside down and locate the flex cable.

10. While pulling the cable up, run a finger along its base to crease it at a 90-degree

angle.

11. The cable should point straight up.

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PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart

Top Case

12. Open the display to 90-degrees and tilt the computer back so it rests on the back of

the display.

13. Guide the top case flex cable through the slot between the logic board and the bottom

case frame.

Top Case

PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart -

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Note: For the following procedures, you will want to keep the top case close to the bottom

case so the flex cable will not pull out of the slot.

14. Turn the computer to rest on the bottom case.

15. At the left front corner of the computer, insert the top case edges into the bottom case

channels, shown.

16. Hold the front of the top case along the front edge of the bottom case and lower into

place.

28 - PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) Take Apart

Top Case