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zanzibar78 · Jan 4, 2005, 03:44 PM

Long story short, my PowerBook G4 fell on its end and now the part where the power adapter plugs in is bent, and the computer will not charge. I have AppleCare, but they do not cover accidental damage, and quoted me $1,059 to repair it.

I do not have $1,059.

Does anyone know of a less expensive way to fix this problem? The IT desk at work tells me that if any part of the computer disconnects from the motherboard, then the entire motherboard will need to be replaced.

Help!

paully dub · Jan 4, 2005, 03:51 PM

Ah... Zanzibar, lovely island.

Have you tried opening it up and seeing if something can't just be bent back into place?

iREZ · Jan 4, 2005, 04:13 PM

Yeah, you should open that sucker up and see if you could bend it back in to place. While inside see if anything is broken or snapped and maybe you could order the part from various online PB hardware stores. Worth a shot, or you could part it out and use the money you make to get a 12" after MWSF when the price drops.

Don't know how much the LCD can go for $150-$300 <really rough estimate
$100 HD
$150 Superdrive
depends on how much $50-$350 RAM
$40-$50 keyboard
$60 APX
$75-$100 Battery
ETC...

shabbasuraj · Jan 4, 2005, 04:33 PM

I say take it apart and just bend the body back into shape. Hoepfully all the damage is cosmetic. If so... Life goes on..

Paul UK · Jan 4, 2005, 04:38 PM

You could try

here

Power cards on the left?

zanzibar78 · Jan 4, 2005, 04:39 PM

Won't opening up the computer void my AppleCare?

iREZ · Jan 4, 2005, 05:43 PM

Uh.....yeah.....and so does dropping your PB to the floor. I hope you were being sarcastic there

.

shabbasuraj · Jan 4, 2005, 06:39 PM

Originally posted by iREZ:
Uh.....yeah.....and so does dropping your PB to the floor. I hope you were being sarcastic there .

agreed

KeriVit · Jan 4, 2005, 06:49 PM

Just open it already! What've you got to lose- $1059? ou could gain back your computer for FREEEE!!!

Ok- I'd be sad too. Very sad. But, what else can you try at this point? Maybe you know someone with experience opening laptops that could help? That's what I did and my friend and I fixed the CD drive. It's worth a shot.

wiffmaster · Jan 4, 2005, 08:16 PM

Sorry to hear that mate, if I were you, i'd open it up and try and fix yourself first, as said before, nothing to lose.

Going to be buying a Powerbook after the updates, and the thing that puts me off buying from Apple direct is that they don't do accidental damage cover. However, I still want a BTO system, what's the solution, can I buy from Apple direct, then can you buy accidental damage cover from a third party (in the UK if that makes any difference)?

This will be my first Mac as I am sick of all the viruses/spyware on windows and want trouble free computing, two friends have also convinced me to switch, and after seeing OS X in action, i'm more than impressed.

Without meaning to thread hijack: What's best for downloading files on Macs? Limewire is supposed to be good, as is bittorrent, but what about things like Direct Connect for bigger movie files?

So many questions........

Thanks in advance guys.

Fusion · Jan 4, 2005, 11:30 PM

You could always throw it up on ebay as a parts computer, I am sure you would make a lot from it and then just purchase a new one. I know it would still cost you money, but it would be far better than just getting a repaired old one back from the store.

SpaceRockness · Jan 5, 2005, 01:14 AM

Selling it as a parts 'book may not benefit that much, a damaged logic board and dented bottom will barely leave enough cash towards a new PB... maybe a new iBook or refurb 12" PB.
Goodluck on your decision, IMO I'd recommend getting some sort of insurance on any portable as anything can happen... yesterday a parent broke a cellphone from a 30 foot drop at work so the lesson learned is 'be careful with any electronic device'.

*nervous laugh* awhile back I dropped my Palm m505 something like 10 feet, luckly just a few scratches and nothing broke

I wish other companies built pdas/laptops like tanks

shabbasuraj · Jan 5, 2005, 01:49 AM

Originally posted by SpaceRockness:
I wish other companies built pdas/laptops like tanks

I agree. I have always had a fascination with electronic devices that are built to withstand severe conditions...

Here are a few of my faves... Yes I know our PB's will never be as durable as these machines, but these machines will never run OS X also....

http://www.panasonic.com/computer/toughbook/home.asp#

http://www.itronix.com/

urrl78 · Jan 5, 2005, 06:20 AM

I would take it apart and try to fix it. If that does not work I would buy a used or refurbished one just like it and keep the old one for parts. The LCD display alone is worth what... a grand?

rkoelewijn · Jan 5, 2005, 11:03 AM

What model Powerbook G4 is it. A number of powerbooks have a seperate pcb with the power connector on it. On serveral sites you can buy these parts for less then $150. In the case the power connector is on the mainboard you could buy the cheapest pcb with connector and solder the connector from the pcb onto the mainboard (i don't know you technical skills ofcourse.)

regards,

Roberto Koelewijn

zanzibar78 · Jan 5, 2005, 12:03 PM

Thanks for all the great advice so far.

I noticed some different replies regarding selling the computer off in parts. IREZ says that the LCD will get less than $300, while urrl78 says it will get me a grand. And what is the best forum for selling off mac pieces? eBay?

iREZ · Jan 5, 2005, 12:50 PM

Your best bet on finding prices is to look for them on the net as if you were going to be purchasing them for yourself. Notice the < next to my really really rough estimate cause I really dont know how much they do go for. Ebay, MacNN forums, anandtech.com forums, macrumors.com forum, spymac.com forums (these forums all have marketplace forums), and of course there will always be ebay.

mrgaskell · Jan 5, 2005, 03:55 PM

Do you or your parents own a home? Home owner's insurance will cover the loss, minus a deductible.

skelotar · Jan 5, 2005, 04:20 PM

buy a new bottom case. apple quotes the prices as 110 or something to that effect..

same thing happened to me but on the other side where the DVi port is.. luckily I can still use it though..

(BTW: BEFRIEND AN APPLE EMPLOYEE SO YOU CAN ORDER THE BOTTOM CASE)

good luck...

pm me if you need more help

romeosc · Jan 5, 2005, 05:10 PM

It might be covered under homeowners insurance. I have Safeware insurance on my PBs about $60/ M covers almost everything!

MichiganRich · Jan 6, 2005, 08:05 PM

or just biatch about 'what should I do?????' and then do absolutely nothing

beldar3000 · Jan 8, 2005, 03:25 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Paul UK:
[B]You could try

here

Power cards on the left?

This site is just great, esp for instructional value.