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JoshuaZ · Apr 20, 2006, 08:11 AM

I've been working on this 300 mhz Pbook G3 for a friend of mine, and I got 10.2 installed on it just fine tonight. Except now the backlight won't work. The backlight comes on when the big white Apple appears, but once it switches to the next splash screen the backlight goes off. In 10.2 I've tried messing with the Power settings, Monitor Settings (resolutions and colors), and even the backlight button on the keyboard (which actually works, and is seen by OS X, but done nothing to the backlight).

Any ideas?

JoshuaZ · Apr 20, 2006, 11:10 PM

Having a powerbook without a backlight would suck...

JoshuaZ · Apr 21, 2006, 01:18 AM

Hmmm... it appears to have fixed itself... though how, I do not know. Oh well.

sungwoo · Apr 21, 2006, 02:50 AM

Same thing happened on my wallstreet 233MHz with 2GB hard drive. I also installed 10.2.
Now the backlight is very weak, but still functional. However, when I try to reinstall OS, no matter what version, the screen goes dark and can't see anything so I cannot proceed the installation.
Currently I use my wallstreet as an electronic photo frame and want to upgrade my hard drive.
However, because of the backlight problem, I cannot do anything. Anyone has an idea about the backlight? Should I get a new inverter? LCD panel itself is fine I think....

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

I've been working on this 300 mhz Pbook G3 for a friend of mine, and I got 10.2 installed on it just fine tonight. Except now the backlight won't work. The backlight comes on when the big white Apple appears, but once it switches to the next splash screen the backlight goes off. In 10.2 I've tried messing with the Power settings, Monitor Settings (resolutions and colors), and even the backlight button on the keyboard (which actually works, and is seen by OS X, but done nothing to the backlight).

Any ideas?

JoshuaZ · Apr 21, 2006, 04:06 AM

He he he... I was kind of wanting to turn it into a cool electronic picture frame if my friend didn't need it any more... so once this backlight issue is figured out I may spend a day or two taking it apart and sticking it into a nice frame. Oh the fun.

Moderator · Apr 21, 2006, 06:48 AM

I've heard of this with older iMacs....it turned out that 10.2 required a firmware update and, without it, people were having lots of display problems.

search for that...it sounds like a similar problem.

jwclark · Apr 22, 2006, 04:57 PM

I had the same problem with my PowerBook G3 233MHz, the easy fix is to boot into "Classic" Mac OS, ie OS8 or 9 CD. This solves the problem 99% of the time. It's something to do with Mac OS X and the video card or something. JPL on the Apple forum knows more about it. Hope this helps!

-cavenba

JoshuaZ · Apr 22, 2006, 10:51 PM

Good call. Now that I have OS 9 on the computer I can give it a try.

Such a sexy computer. Too bad its so underpowered and out of date these days.

jwclark · Apr 23, 2006, 12:05 AM

I know, I love my PowerBook, but its so slow. The only thing (in my opinion) it lacks is built-in USB for Mac OS X 10.3. My PB needs the new power adapter (I was lucky, the original one broke, then it was recalled...) its been 3 weeks Monday since I ordered it.
anyway,

-cavenba

JoshuaZ · Apr 23, 2006, 01:21 AM

Yeah, I wanted to stick 10.3 on this little puppy but remember the USB requirement. Very sad. I always wanted a Pismo back in college as a cheap laptop to use in class and for travel. NEver got around to getting one, and eventually just bought a 12in Powerbook.

The thought of a computer with two batteries and 10.3 inside has always made me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside.

jwclark · Apr 23, 2006, 02:51 PM

I just got my PowerBook last November. You might be able to install Panther on the HDD from another (suppoerted) Mac and stick it into the PB.

-cavenba