[stongey]

I've got an iBook G4 (800 mHz). The trackpad is wonky.

The cursor shoots all over the place and is impossible to control with the trackpad (with mouse, it's fine). Tapping very hard on the pad usually fixes the problem for a short period of time.

Also, pressing down on the lefthand hand rest (empty area to the left of the trackpad) causes a trackpad click. Very annoying.

I'm planning a clean install of Tiger, so I figure I'll try to repair this at the same time. I've previously repaired the reed switch in another iBook, so I'm not afraid of cracking it open... but:

- Where can I get a disassembly diagram/description specific to the iBook G4 (the structure is differnt than my old G3 iBook)?

- Anybody got any hints on how to actually repair this problem? Or battle stories from a similar repair?



Thanks,
marc

[stongey]

Found the dissection guide here (in French):

http://forums.xlr8yourmac.com/action...79&-search

[stongey]

Success!

I had one screw left over. It was just sitting in the case when I opened it, however. I couldn't find where it came from...

I had to drill out one screw that stripped on the first turn. So the extra screw came in very handy! Most of the screws I removed where not even tight; some were almost falling out.

The trackpad is fixed (so far). I just reseated the connector and put a small piece of foam under the case just to the left of the trackpad. Seems to have done the trick; I just hope it doesn't melt.

Now can anyone tell me what the magnet under the keyboard just up from the battery compartment is for? does it throw the reed switch in the cover when the laptop is closed?

[AndrewP]

Originally Posted by stongey

Now can anyone tell me what the magnet under the keyboard just up from the battery compartment is for? does it throw the reed switch in the cover when the laptop is closed?

Yep, that's it.

[cold aspiration]

nice job. Do you feel as if the ibook is much more solid now? I thought mine got really rickety and very creaky after a year or so. I'm not ttrying to fix it myself by taking it apart and putting it back together until apple care is up. I did have to send the book in for a new cd drive before and it came back with a much more solid feel. Maybe the tech screwed the ibook screws properly. I want to be able to do this myself. I fixed my incredibly loud and creaky/vibrating keyboard with pieces of notecards under it. solid as a rock now.

[stongey]

I blame the techs at my local authorized repair shop (who did the iBook motherboard replacement).

The left hand rest doesn't click, or pop, or move anymore...