[Jeff1954]

Does anybody know how to or know where instructions are that show how to open the powerbooks case? I've been searching for hours and I don't understand why, Apple has the tear down instructions for all the other laptops, but none for the two year old models of the 15 and 17" powerbook g4's.

[imacgeek]

I don't know what pb you have but try taking the battery out or under the keyboard you will find philups head screws Try it but i'm not sure

[ibook_steve]

Mentioned here many times:

http://www.pbfixit.com

has all the tear down guides you need.

Steve

[Jeff1954]

Yes I did find a site like that, although I searched this site for several vaiables before posting, Steve, thanks.

But isn't there anything less for users who want to change out the harddrive? Apple has no support for this? I know that it might sound or seem like an easy thing imacgeek, but Mac has virtually hidden screws and or clasps that are not apparent. Simply knowing where to locate the basic clips, screws and what ever on this is all I am looking for.

Last time I took apart a I-Book. seemed easy enough. but there was a screw hidden below a little magnet. A tiny magnet magnetized to the screw, covering it. Jeez.. nearly pulled my hair out hunting for what was still holding it together. However, Apple had the manual in their download section, and one simple page shows that screw ..

That is all I needed from the whole manual, hidden screw.

There aint no screws left in this PowerBook, that are visible at the moment, but there's something holding it together, hidden screw again? clasp, flap, I don't know and don't intend on forcing it apart.

My daughter dropped it, err. It would be why I bought her a case to carry it in, so can she can learn the hard way, what that case was for.. Err, ah, so I get the displeasure of dissecting it..

And No the warranty has run out, and no it aunt worth sending it to Apple and paying them to tell me either the hard drive fried, or the motherboard has an internal crack. Just need to get it open. And I don't feel that I should have to pay somebody to examine the interior. Apple should have in the least support for those who want to upgrade their harddrive, verses paying them 150 plus, just to tell you something I can do myself..

So, if somebody could just explain, or tell me,.. After removing all of the case screws, with exception of the two hex screws on the top of the key pad. Is there something else holding the metal case on?

Is or are there a couple of screws under the key pad cover?

The first goal I have with this is taking out the little dent on a corner it got when dropped. A small, dent, crease incidently, on the bottom corner of battery side. An area i'd expect if impacted, would not have damaged anything.

So, is there a hidden secret screw, ha, ha like in the I-book..

Incidentally I am not to pleased with Apple. It was dropped ONCE! there's a small crease on a corner from the three foot drop, and there's a good possibility the board has a crack in it.

I was under the impression BEFORE I paid Apple dearly, $2700.00 for this 18 months ago, that they made them stronger.

Obviously NOT.

I had to rip apart her I-Book because it dropped two and a half feet onto a rug, landed flat, and the result was, it has a crack in the main board,. One drop and it was dead..

So I bought her this one, One drop a-n-d here I am again..

One drop Apple, N-i-c-e..

I know, many others have dropped theirs and was fine, I read the reviews and comments some time ago, but I am obviously not so lucky.

So, where's the hidden screws? Anybody?

[ibook_steve]

Since I pointed you to the guide, why don't you run through it to see what you may be missing? Here's a direct link to the guide for the 17":

http://www.pbfixit.com/Guide/55.0.0.html

Steve

[ericssonboi]

Have you ever tried dropping a $2700 televsion 3 feet from the ground?

Manufactures don't make electronics so you can drop them especially a laptop.
If you wanted a durable laptop.. maybe you should have went with a IBM or Toshiba (toughbook) i think.

Its not the manufactures fault for your mistake. Even if people did drop their Powerbooks and got lucky without anything damaging.. that should be a lesson alone.

Whenever I take my Powerbook out of the house... i make sure that its secure in a case or tight in my hands.

[Jeff1954]

Thanks steve, I went to the site, but assumed it was like others that wanted $10 for a take apart manual. It's just a trick of getting the case opened with a slide in tool. Thanks very much!


And
Erricssonboi.. Get a life.. learn to read...