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macintologist · 04:58 PM

I have a 12" Powerbook, 867Mhz G4, 640MB Ram, Superdrive, it's fan is fairly loud which prevented me from selling it to anyone in the past.

The hard drive died recently and I'm wondering what to do next. I already have an intel iMac and no important data was lost.

I called the only Apple authorized repair shop in town and it would cost $90 to install a new hard drive if I provide it myself. I'm prepared to pay around $60 for an 80GB laptop drive from Newegg.

So should I go with it, or what else should I do? The Powerbook, if it had a proper hard drive, would be worth... maybe 300 dollars? If I pay around $150 to repair this thing, am I just throwing money away?

Sherman Homan · Jun 20, 2007, 05:29 PM

I would. You have a desktop machine for heavy hitting stuff. A new laptop is a lot more than 150 bucks and if your new MacBook falls out on the pavement when you open your car door you will wish you had kept it! It still has some life in it!

MacosNerd · Jun 20, 2007, 06:09 PM

I'm confused, are you looking to add a new hard drive to sell it, or keep it. If you're looking to sell it and you contemplating sinking 150 dollars to get 300 back I'm not sure its worth the trouble. How much is it worth now?

Have you tried putting it up on eBay, There's a lot of people that will be willing to spend a lot of money on laptops who knows maybe you'll get lucky.

If it were me, I'd think twice about upgrading the HD for 150 bucks especially if I was only doing it to sell the computer. Why not upgrade it yourself. Its probably out of warranty and you have little to lose and you can save some $$ along the way.

chipchen · Jun 21, 2007, 02:07 AM

taking apart a 12" pb is not for everybody. plus, you say the fan is loud.

are you thinking about buying a new laptop? can you afford that? if so, put the sucker on ebay and buy a macbook.

i think of old computers like used cars... at some point, you just gotta let go.

macintologist · Jun 21, 2007, 12:37 PM

I haven't contemplated selling this thing, but because the fan makes an awful sound when it kicks in (which happens even if you watch youtube) which means the value has dropped already a lot plus the screen has some dim areas, so I would feel bad selling it to someone since it doesn't look decent.

I think I'd prefer just having it repaired and it keeping it myself for when I travel. It still performs casual duties like a charm.

I'm not in the market for a new laptop at all, I'm a desktop guy.

The only computer stuff I've done before is installing RAM in Powermacs and installing RAM in a Macbook. This is a much more daunting task correct?

chipchen · Jun 21, 2007, 01:06 PM

well... them I would at a minimum say you should put in a bigger hard drive. if you do decide to sell it in the future, it would increase the value more. And it's only a few more dollars. 100 GB drive is like $75 from NewEgg...

Get it repaired at the repair center... I wouldn't try to repair it yourself.

alainmeyer1 · Jun 21, 2007, 01:24 PM

That's not too much. I replaced my entire screen when it was bent... Cost like 800 bucks.

romeosc · Jun 21, 2007, 01:28 PM

try reporting damage to Safeware, sounds like it has brrn dropped damaging fan, screen and harddrive!

shabbasuraj · Jun 21, 2007, 01:32 PM

Sell it as is...

or...

Rreplace the HD yourself.. easy job...

and then sell it..or keep it.

macintologist · Jun 21, 2007, 01:58 PM

Is it really that easy? I looked at the instructions myself and it looks bloody difficult and if I did it myself I would risk damaging the whole unit.

Sherman Homan · Jun 21, 2007, 03:46 PM

Easy vs. hard is in the mind of the beholder. If you have done a dozen of them, it is easy. If not, then not. I have done several, I know I will do more, imho it is not easy!
Look at the instructions here:
iFixit: iPod, iBook, & PowerBook Parts and Accessories

chipchen · Jun 21, 2007, 04:04 PM

yea... as someone who has done several myself, I would not recommend you do it yourself.

shabbasuraj · Jun 21, 2007, 05:22 PM

I guess we are all different...I am just one of those people who enjoy the satisfaction of doing/learning new things...

I think it is completely possible for one to do it as long as you follow the instructions carefully, and make sure you have all the right tools... hardest thing to find might be a T6 Torx driver, but that can be had for a dollar or so..at any large chain hardware store.

Go for it..you might be surprised at your abilities.. maybe ask a friend who is more technically inclined to help you out...

macintologist · Jun 26, 2007, 09:07 AM

Sorry to keep bugging you guys, every place where I look for instructions they mention different tools I need. If I go to a hardware store this week, exactly which tools should I buy? I don't have any tools at all.

Sherman Homan · Jun 26, 2007, 09:26 AM

Specifically, you want a Torx-6 and a Phillips 00, but other models use different sizes and your wife's eye glasses need tightening. I got a great little combo tool kit from Husky at my local hard ware store. A whole range of Phillips, straight tip, Torx and Allen tips. You might want to get a magnetic reach for when you drop the screws, but be very careful about magnets and hard drives!

bballe336 · Jun 26, 2007, 09:26 AM

The iFixit guide is the best. Buy all the tools they list.
The link is right here: PowerBook G4 Al 12" Disassembly: Installing Hard Drive - PowerBook Parts

Also make sure you go slowly and find some conatiners to keep all the different screws in and you should be fine.

amazing · Jun 26, 2007, 11:10 AM

IMO, it's worth fixing. Whether 'tis nobler to do it yourself, that is the question!

Frankly, you'll spare yourself a great amount of botheration is you have someone do it for $90. Are you planning on passing it on to a friend or family member? If so, have them spring for the repair!

macintologist · Jun 26, 2007, 11:41 AM

That iFixit guide is amazing!! Wow I think that gives me more confidence to just try it on my own. I'll let you guys know how it all went.

tiger · Jun 26, 2007, 11:49 AM

I think it is worth the fix, also the 12 inch PowerBooks are worth around 500 right now, the first model being the 867. The first generation of this powerbook has heating problems... the 867 being too hot to touch so the fans are probably normal.

chris v · Jun 26, 2007, 12:26 PM

Use an ice cube tray or an egg carton to keep track of the screws, and print out the directions. It'll take an hour or so, but if you go slowly and don't lose your patience, it's really not that hard. I changed the drive in my 15" a couple months ago, and while it was a bit frustrating at a couple of points, it was worth saving the $125.00 I'd been quoted.

macintologist · Jun 26, 2007, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by tiger

I think it is worth the fix, also the 12 inch PowerBooks are worth around 500 right now, the first model being the 867. The first generation of this powerbook has heating problems... the 867 being too hot to touch so the fans are probably normal.

No my fan noise is abnormal. It sounds awful.

http://forums.macnn.com/69/macbook-p...rom-powerbook/

As you can see from the date of the above thread, this is an old issue that I've just come to terms with

applgeek · Jun 26, 2007, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by macintologist

Sorry to keep bugging you guys, every place where I look for instructions they mention different tools I need. If I go to a hardware store this week, exactly which tools should I buy? I don't have any tools at all.

If you live near a home depot, i would recomend getting two things (at least)

There should be Husky brand precision bit screwdrivers mixed in with everything. They will have a black handle, and four bits. the phillips version has a red swivel cap, and the torx version has a black swivel cap. You need those. you could also get a putty knife or pry tool.

when you open up your pb, check the fan for obstructions. if there arent any, the bearings might have gone out, in which case you need a new fan. I would recommend getting the same size fan with identical connectors at newegg or anywhere else you can find one.