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TonyIC · Jun 26, 2002, 06:36 PM

Last year I purchased an used Pismo 400. This machine has been great. The only thing I have changed is RAM. I threw a 512MB chip in the bottom slot.

However, heat is becoming an issue.

According to ThermoInDock my pismo has been running at 110F (43C). However this week It has been spiking to 140F (60C). When it reaches this temperature it becomes very unstable and soon locks up. My only recourse is the three finger salute to restart. Right now I am aiming a small desk fan directly into the fresh air intake and managing to keep the heat below 90F (32C).

Just incase I needed more problems my display is spazzing out. Here is a picture that I grabbed right before it crashed (Warning large file size!)

<a href="http://home.mchsi.com/~tonywissink/FarkedUpScreen.jpg" target="_blank">Spazzing Screen</a>

I think the screen might be heat related but I am not sure.

As if that was not enough my HD is beginning to sound like a cross between a jackhammer and a jet. It whines and pings loudly on data access.

Here are my full specs:

Powerbook 2000 "Pismo"
400Mhz G3
512Mb Ram CL222 Bottom Slot
12Gb HD (Original Apple OEM Fujitsu MHK2120AT)
Mac OS X 10.1.5 (5S66)

Ok question time.

What can I do about the heat?
Do I need to adjust the heat-sink/apply some more thermal grease?
Is my HD going to die soon?
Any other suggestions?

Thanks for listening. I'm just a little scared. I can't have my computer die now.

skyman · Jun 26, 2002, 06:52 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by TonyIC:
Last year I purchased an used Pismo 400. This machine has been great. The only thing I have changed is RAM. I threw a 512MB chip in the bottom slot.

However, heat is becoming an issue.

According to ThermoInDock my pismo has been running at 110F (43C). However this week It has been spiking to 140F (60C). When it reaches this temperature it becomes very unstable and soon locks up. My only recourse is the three finger salute to restart. Right now I am aiming a small desk fan directly into the fresh air intake and managing to keep the heat below 90F (32C).

Just incase I needed more problems my display is spazzing out. Here is a picture that I grabbed right before it crashed (Warning large file size!)

<a href="http://home.mchsi.com/~tonywissink/FarkedUpScreen.jpg" target="_blank">Spazzing Screen</a>

I think the screen might be heat related but I am not sure.

As if that was not enough my HD is beginning to sound like a cross between a jackhammer and a jet. It whines and pings loudly on data access.

Here are my full specs:

Powerbook 2000 "Pismo"
400Mhz G3
512Mb Ram CL222 Bottom Slot
12Gb HD (Original Apple OEM Fujitsu MHK2120AT)
Mac OS X 10.1.5 (5S66)

Ok question time.

What can I do about the heat?
Do I need to adjust the heat-sink/apply some more thermal grease?
Is my HD going to die soon?
Any other suggestions?

Thanks for listening. I'm just a little scared. I can't have my computer die now.<hr /></blockquote>You should take your PISMO to an Apple VAR for repair ASAP. This is a major problem that needs to be fixed ASAP.

euphras · Jun 27, 2002, 01:40 PM

HD will be dying within a few days as it is as you mentioned. MAKE A BACKUP OF YOUR DATA ASAP!!!! The heat issue COULD be solved with asuring better contact to the heatsink. Try it once, if it doesn�t work, shut it down and have it repaired by Apple or an authorized dealer.
Pat

psisquared · Jun 28, 2002, 02:11 AM

If your computer doesn't ever lock up when the heat is normal, then you're probably right about the heat being the cause of your freezes. But, the screen shot you showed is caused by Limewire. Limewire is a crappy app that causes all kinds of screen glitches. Next time you notice the screen problem, minimize Limewire, and notice how the problem disappears. Not sure what's going wrong with your drive, though.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by TonyIC:
Last year I purchased an used Pismo 400. This machine has been great. The only thing I have changed is RAM. I threw a 512MB chip in the bottom slot.

However, heat is becoming an issue.

According to ThermoInDock my pismo has been running at 110F (43C). However this week It has been spiking to 140F (60C). When it reaches this temperature it becomes very unstable and soon locks up. My only recourse is the three finger salute to restart. Right now I am aiming a small desk fan directly into the fresh air intake and managing to keep the heat below 90F (32C).

Just incase I needed more problems my display is spazzing out. Here is a picture that I grabbed right before it crashed (Warning large file size!)

<a href="http://home.mchsi.com/~tonywissink/FarkedUpScreen.jpg" target="_blank">Spazzing Screen</a>

I think the screen might be heat related but I am not sure.

As if that was not enough my HD is beginning to sound like a cross between a jackhammer and a jet. It whines and pings loudly on data access.

Here are my full specs:

Powerbook 2000 "Pismo"
400Mhz G3
512Mb Ram CL222 Bottom Slot
12Gb HD (Original Apple OEM Fujitsu MHK2120AT)
Mac OS X 10.1.5 (5S66)

Ok question time.

What can I do about the heat?
Do I need to adjust the heat-sink/apply some more thermal grease?
Is my HD going to die soon?
Any other suggestions?

Thanks for listening. I'm just a little scared. I can't have my computer die now.<hr /></blockquote>

seanyepez · Jun 28, 2002, 04:36 AM

A friend of mine had a hard drive making pinging noises about a day before the drive finally failed. I recommend you back-up your data to another drive because the one in your notebook isn't going to last for much longer. Avoid Hitachi drives. Two of mine have failed within three months of purchase. I've had three. <img border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" title="" src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" />

I recommend the IBM TravelStar 40GN. I replaced my Fujitsu drive with it, and I'm ecstatic. You can also try some of Toshiba's fluid-bearing drives, too.

TonyIC · Jun 28, 2002, 09:19 AM

Thanks for confirming the upcoming HD failure. I have been looking to replace it eventually. Eventually might be coming sooner then I thought. I have backed up my settings and documents incase my HD really dies. I was looking at the IBM 40GN series.

As for the heat. I think I am going to try and make a better connection between the heat-sink and the CPU. I have built several FrankenMacs in the past so I am somewhat familiar with the process, I just have never worked on my Pismo.

I know there are two torx screws to remove. I am guessing there is a "donut" around the chip and some thermal grease. So all I should have to do is:
Remove the screws
Scrape off the donut and clean off the grease
Add a new donut
Put on some new grease
and reattach the heat-sink

Is this about right or should I take my Pismo to a tech?