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RefreshF5 · Jan 13, 2006, 03:36 PM

For the past week or so my iBook has been crashing(not a kernel panic, the machine just shuts off) a lot, at least once per day. It has gotten very frustrating and I'm wondering if anyone has any idea what it could be.

I ran the hardware test and everything has checked out.
I verified/repaired permissions, and verified/repaired my hard drive.
I have reset the PMU
I have reset the pram
I haven't installed any programs lately.
I installed ram but back in September and the crashing has not started until recently.
Also I need to remove the battery, and unplug the power adapter for a few minutes before I can turn it back on
This is 1.2Ghz iBook G4 with 768mb ram.

Thank you for any help.

hemant · Jan 13, 2006, 03:49 PM

its the video chip on your logic board, gone loose.

RefreshF5 · Jan 13, 2006, 03:59 PM

is there anything I can do or any other previous documention of this

hemant · Jan 13, 2006, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by RefreshF5

is there anything I can do or any other previous documention of this

search for ibook G4 logic board problems. You might have to change the logic board, or you could try to reflow the solder on your logic board (not very easy).

RefreshF5 · Jan 13, 2006, 05:17 PM

From what I have looked up though about the loose video chip on the logic board, the problems they were having to not seem to be in sync with the problems I am having. It seems their screens were just going black whilst mean my entire machine is shutting off.

hemant · Jan 13, 2006, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by RefreshF5

From what I have looked up though about the loose video chip on the logic board, the problems they were having to not seem to be in sync with the problems I am having. It seems their screens were just going black whilst mean my entire machine is shutting off.

The screen going blank problem is related to the LCD cable and the machine shutting down problem is coz of the logic board. Try to google it up.

RefreshF5 · Jan 13, 2006, 08:22 PM

why does the hardware test say the logic board is fine then? I'm not trying to be an ass, I'm just truly wonering

Zak · Jan 14, 2006, 02:14 AM

Hardware is like that. The hardware test program doesn't detect a problem because the problem isn't occuring when you run the program. If it did occur during the test, the machine would crash just as it would during normal operation.

As for what's actually causing your problem, it could be anything, including the CPU, video chip, RAM (removable or onboard), something else on the logic board, etc.... It could also be software. You should probably reinstall the OS before you start messing with the hardware. Is there still a warranty on this machine? If so, make Apple fix it.

hemant · Jan 14, 2006, 05:55 AM

Originally Posted by RefreshF5

why does the hardware test say the logic board is fine then? I'm not trying to be an ass, I'm just truly wonering

Its a bad connection of a component (possibly video chip) with the logic board PCB, it loses connection only when there is some motion to the machine. I can tell you this coz I'm typing this email from a machine which has the same symptoms.

seanc · Jan 14, 2006, 06:09 AM

OK.
Lets get the facts straight people!

The graphics chip problems only apply to the iBook G3's. There have been some reports of early G4's failing (800mhz) but not 1.2ghz machines (like mine).

It does sound like a short circuit or a PMU problem, either way you should take it to Apple to see if they know what the problem is.

The video cable does fail on the iBook G3 but this has been rectified on the G4 by using a thinner cable and bigger holes on the hinge. I replaced the cable on my iBook G3 with a thinner one and a hinge with bigger holes so I must assume it is the version they use in the G4 since the hinge I got it white.

Sean

JoshKurtz · Jan 14, 2006, 07:07 AM

Have you tried taking out the RAM you added? I'd try that first since it's probably the easiest thing that you can do. If the problem still happens without the memory in it (which it probably will) then take it to Apple.

Is your iBook still under warranty?

RefreshF5 · Jan 14, 2006, 10:44 AM

No my iBook is no longer under warranty, I've already attempted the ram thing. I may try to reinstall the OS this weekend

RefreshF5 · Jan 15, 2006, 03:09 PM

Hmm it seems there is a new revalation, the iBook only crashes when running off of the power adapter, not when running off battery.

seanc · Jan 15, 2006, 03:20 PM

Not being rude, but are you sure it's not going to sleep?
Your sleep led could be broken.
The next time it happens, try plugging it back in and pressing the space bar to wake it up.

RefreshF5 · Jan 15, 2006, 04:08 PM

yes I'm sure its not going to sleep. For one because the sleep led goes on at other times. Two because the caps lock does not light up and three because when you hit a key or move the mouse it does not wake up.

seanc · Jan 15, 2006, 04:41 PM

It could be a loose connection on the battery.