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gingerblue · Sep 22, 2003, 03:35 PM

I have an iBook (white w/ 2 USB 700) that's overheating. If I use it in my lap for too long, the screen will go crazy or it will just shut itself down.

I brought it into the Apple Store today and (of course) could not get it to overheat. I tried to explain the problem to the "genius", but she thought it was a problem with a video card. The more it happens, the more I know it's a heating issue. We sat there for two hours and could not get a repeat performance. They told me to take the iBook home and then bring it back again if it went wonky. Of course, as soon as I got it home and turned it on in my lap, it started shutting down. The nearest Apple Store is about an hour and a half away, so I can't just drive there every few hours.

I've had the iBook for over a year, and have been able to use it without problems. Why is this suddenly happening? Is there anything I can do to cool the sucker down and still be able to carry it all over with me and do my work without a desk/surface to put it on? What can Apple do if I do bring it in and have it sent off?

Thanks

Sosa · Sep 22, 2003, 04:09 PM

First, is the fan turning on? The fan should turn on when the computer gets hot to cool it off. That a sign that it is overheating. If it doesn't turn on then you need to have it corrected.

Of course the iBook will not overheat at the Apple Store, it is cold in there! You house is warmer, and if you are placing your iBook in your lap (warm body temperture) or a bed (iBook unable to dissapate heat) it will get hotter.

So I guess the relevant question is, what temperature in the room in which you use the iBook?

Are you leaving air / space under neath the iBook to allow air to circulate and cool it off?

I've seen my iBook get really hot though and it has never killed the video card. Then again I've had numerous issues with my iBook video and motherboard. I don't think it is related though.

SupahCoolX · Sep 22, 2003, 06:13 PM

iBooks don't have fans.

Just be sure not to block all the vents by the hinge, etc. If you're giving it room to "breathe," and it's still going wonky, try taking it somewhere else. Are there any other Apple-authorized repair places closer to you? Perhaps you'd get better service there?

slapdash76 · Sep 22, 2003, 08:02 PM

Depending on the climate you live in, and the temp of the room you're working in, you can definitely cause damage to the machine over time. I worked a Powerbook G4 hard for a year in Bermuda, working hard I might add for at least 12 hours of the day. No air conditioning and 85+ temperatures easily, plus heavy humidity.

One day my screen went 'crazy' with streaks of color etc washing out to white. Never recovered since that day, and got worse over time, not lasting for more than a few minutes before being whitewashed with colors. And the casing was blistering hot most of the time, and yes, the fan was most definitely running, even the first time it died.

How do I know this was heat related? Aside from the heat, I moved to the UK and the Powerbook hasn't done the whitewashing color dance since. Aside from having you move all you can do is create a nice cool work environment and hope that fixes it, or have Apple look at it to see if anything inside is heat damaged. The problem as you said is that it is hard to reproduce the problem on demand

I remember an old Thinkpad 365XD IIRC that I used for a good 12 hours a day. After six months the insides had melted in places, and the PCMCIA ethernet card I had was melted into the bay...

cecio · Sep 22, 2003, 08:18 PM

iBooks DO have fans. Or... what's that thing twisting inside mine??

I usually work for hours and often bring my Mac to use its fans, it's one year now and I never had problems. Obviously, I try not to let it overheat too much.

Sosa · Sep 22, 2003, 08:21 PM

Originally posted by SupahCoolX:
iBooks don't have fans.

They do have a fan and it is noticeable when it turns on. Check out this discussion:

http://discussions.info.apple.com/We...qM.6@.5997e11e

khufuu · Sep 22, 2003, 08:59 PM

Originally posted by gingerblue:
I have an iBook (white w/ 2 USB 700) that's overheating. If I use it in my lap for too long, the screen will go crazy or it will just shut itself down.

I brought it into the Apple Store today and (of course) could not get it to overheat. I tried to explain the problem to the "genius", but she thought it was a problem with a video card. The more it happens, the more I know it's a heating issue. We sat there for two hours and could not get a repeat performance. They told me to take the iBook home and then bring it back again if it went wonky. Of course, as soon as I got it home and turned it on in my lap, it started shutting down. The nearest Apple Store is about an hour and a half away, so I can't just drive there every few hours.

I've had the iBook for over a year, and have been able to use it without problems. Why is this suddenly happening? Is there anything I can do to cool the sucker down and still be able to carry it all over with me and do my work without a desk/surface to put it on? What can Apple do if I do bring it in and have it sent off?

Thanks

I just got my 700 back today.

I had the same problem. Your screen starts to flicker and then it just goes completely dark and the only thing you can to is unplug it. Right?

Called Apple. Got a case number. Took it into an Apple dealer who replaced the logic board.

Had I not extended Apple Care, this would have cost me $950 (Canadian Funds) to get fixed. The mac dealer will send his bill to Apple. I walked out without paying a dime.

Sosa · Sep 22, 2003, 09:35 PM

Originally posted by khufuu:
Had I not extended Apple Care, this would have cost me $950 (Canadian Funds) to get fixed. The mac dealer will send his bill to Apple. I walked out without paying a dime.

Had my iBook repaired 5 times. Just approved for brand new replacement (on 90 day repair warranty). No AppleCare! Looking forward to another year of warranty!

To be perfectly honest, I've suffered a lot though!

iguana9999 · Sep 23, 2003, 11:39 AM

Originally posted by SupahCoolX:
iBooks don't have fans.

That's not true and i've got proof. I've open my iBook to make it clear ones and for all!

http://home.wanadoo.nl/j.p.jacobs/DSC00596.JPG

Actualy made the photograph while upgrading the HD in my iBook 800, All iBooks Dual USB got fans. My 500's fan did only turn on ones. This one will turn on every day under intensive use. Think it's the factor of faster Processor and better (hotter) graphic chip)

SupahCoolX · Sep 23, 2003, 02:59 PM

I stand corrected on the fan issue. I know the old clamshell iBooks didn't have them, but I probably just didn't make that distinction in my mind when I was replying. Sorry!

gingerblue · Sep 24, 2003, 08:59 AM

Thanks to everyone who replied on the overheating issue. I brought the iBook back to the Apple Store and let them send it off for repair. I paid $290 straight up- I hope it's not much more! Apple Care isn't available in Florida, so I'm pretty much stuck unless they can fix it at the flat fee.

...waiting...

Sosa · Sep 24, 2003, 01:51 PM

Wow, was it really worth paying $290 to correct this? I think I would rather live with the problem (ie, not use it on your lap!) and buy a small fan to blow air into the left side. Then start saving to buy another machine.

About the only good thing is that those $290 dollars will guarantee a repair and a 90 day warranty. Still, the machine is already two generations behind.

BTW Did you go to the Apple Store in the Falls? Boca? Or are you somewhere in Tampa?

gingerblue · Sep 26, 2003, 09:39 AM

Well, the iBook would last about 3-4 minutes before it started acting up/crashing. I don't know how fast you work, but 3-4 minutes is just not very useful to me. So paying the $290 wasn't an option. It was either that or throwing the machine out the window and hoping the crash to the ground fixed it.

As far as saving up to buy a new mchine- there are two Apple users in the household, and we both have a laptop and a desktop machine. Tom's the next one to get a new computer, not me. The next two machines we buy will have to be desktops, since our own G4s are getting a bit old. Trying to keep four machines current is a lot harder than trying to keep just one iBook current.

So right now I'm hoping the $290 fixes it. I'll be thrilled if that's all it will take.

gingerblue · Sep 26, 2003, 09:42 AM

By the way, we're in NY on vacation right now, so we took it to the Roosevelt Field store. They really tried to lecture us on the whole AppleCare thing until we reminded them Florida residents can't get AppleCare.

We live in the Naples area, so we are screwed as far as local AppleStores go at home. We are screwed as far as all civilization under the age of 65 goes at home, for that matter.

jyvin563 · Sep 30, 2003, 01:01 AM

Why can't you get AppleCare in Florida?

antisonne · Sep 30, 2003, 03:15 PM

"Why can't you get AppleCare in Florida?" It has something to do with Florida laws, It is only avaible for business's, And since I bought my iBook with a business credit card I get to get AppleCare, I just think its a waste of money.

iBooks do have fans, my 800'er iBook's fan turned on after 3 days of being on with iTunes visulizer running everynight over night... I woke up and im like "WTF" so I had to shut it down and let it cool for 10 minutes (HD area was BURNING UP)... Its all good now tho, never has happened again.