I have a PowerBook Ti (1GHz) with a display issue. The display flickers when the laptop is pressed in the back left area near the speaker. It mixes colours, flickers on and off and distorts like crazy.

As a means of reducing the issues, I replaced the inverter board and inverter cable. I was going to have a crack at the data display cable, however prying open the display seemed a little too daunting!

The issues are still there after replacing those parts, however I have found the problem - the connector on the logic board where the data display cable goes in is loose. With some pressure on the loose connection, the display works fine. Apart from some super glue and perhaps a small piece of high density foam between the top of the connector and the exterior case to provide constant pressure, what can I do? Who will look at an issue like this?

Suggestions?

Thanks,

birdseed

If the foam rectifies the problem - it sounds like it would be a good option, so I'd go with this. If you take it to any Apple repair place they will only offer the replacement of the motherboard - the connector isn't a servicable part.

A good foam would be that adhesive "door trim" found in various thicknesses, and perhaps some thick-ish double-sided tape (Jaycar sell good stuff like this). This should give a secure, reliable connection.

JB

Superglue will make a mess of the connector and isn't removed easily.

Good idea, thanks for that.

So my attempts to wedge a piece of sticky tape did not work. My attempts to wedge a thin piece of foam kind of worked, however thanks to a few technicians over tightening the screw in the rear corner of my PowerBook, the inside thread is almost stripped, resulting in a partial connection when a little pressure is applied on the display cable point.

My next question is: Who in Canberra or Sydney would be able to do the repair, and 'reconnect' the plug sleeve onto the logic board, to make it work again? Obviously not a mainstream Apple store....

Cheers,

birdseed.

Hi birdseed,

Do you mean that because you can't screw the PB's case together it makes the screen distort like crazy? If so, a "nuts and bolts" place would be able to sell/give you a slightly bigger screw that would allow you to use it in place of the old one. There is a place in Melbourne called "Cost Less Nuts & Bolts" I've used with great success for stripped screws etc. on computers and radio control cars - I'm pretty sure they're interstate too.

Any chance of posting a pic of the connector in question? It'd obviously be hard to source the exact connector without perhaps picking up a junked 1Ghz motherboard. Same goes for resoldering the connector - you'd need someone with experience in SMD resoldering to replace it. However, you might also find other motherboards use the same connector, eg. perhaps on an iBook which is easier to obtain. Have you also tried "thickening" the display ribbon connector with perhaps a piece of stickytape to make for a more secure connection?

As you gather I enjoy the challenge of fixing dodgy hardware, usually with success (but takes a long time to get right ... ).

Good luck,

JB

I've just come across this great site with step by step guide to
doing all sorts of stuff on laptops.

me help you out some how

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/

Thanks for the advice on the fix it site, its the one I used to pull apart the laptop in the first place.

Regarding the bit that is loose, it is directly connected to the logic board (well, it used to be). Think of it like a top mounted port where the cable array can slide into. If I put anything into the cable slot (such as tape, etc), it will displace the sleeve that should be attached to the logic board

The attached photo should give you an idea as to where it is on the logic board.

Thanks.