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Odd discovery in a recently opened Pismo
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Sep 2004
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I recently bought a Pismo G3 Powerbook off eBay and immediately set to install additional ram (I had a 128 MB chip laying around from an iMac upgrade some years ago). After testing the chip in the upper slot (As the 'book came to me, it had the original 64 MB chip installed in the lower slot and a 256 MB chip installed in the upper slot), I removed the processor and installed the 128 MB chip in the lower slot and reinstalled the 256 MB chip in the upper slot.
The 128 MB chip worked fine in the upper slot (The computer recognized 192 MB installed), but when I reassembled the computer, it refused to start. When the power button was pressed, nothing happened. I later discovered that in fact the key caps light and the number lock light would actually light when the power button was pressed, but nothing else.
I reopened the computer and discovered that the processor card wasn't completely secured. So I reinserted the card and then tried to restart, still nothing. After numerous attempts (replacing the ram, changing it back to its original configuration, on to infinitum!) I decided that my original mistake of not properly securing the processor had shorted either the processor or the motherboard. I purchased a new motherboard off eBay and, unfortunately, this did not fix the problem (exact same symptoms) so I have a new 400 MHz. G3 processor card on order, should be here sometime next week and I am keeping my fingers crossed that this fixes the problem.
NOW, (sorry for this sorted lecture but I am now getting to my original point) the weird thing I discovered was the heatsink. Every picture I've seen of a Pismo processor heat sink (the actual heatsink over the processor and the connecting pipe to the heat dissipator) shows the heatsink to go from the processor to the edge of the card (the so called double heatsink) and the connecting pipe as a metal colored tube connecting to a metal colored heat dissipator.
My Pismo, however, has a heat sink that fits just over processor (with the accompanying screws to connect it) and is connected to a blackish colored heat dissipator by a copper colored pipe (I believe it is actually made of copper).
Does this make any sense to anyone hear? The whole heat dissipater assembly fits perfectly, its nor jury rigged or anything else that made me suspicious (until of course I saw the pictures on the web). Is my Pismo some how defective?
Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2004
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Hi,
could you post some pics, that may help. It seems like you spent a decent amount on the pismo, could you just have bought a working one with the money that you spent?
The pismo though is a great machine. I just sold mine. Best of luck with yours!
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I Love This Forum!
Macbook Pro 2ghz 2gb/250gb/256 Video/wireless n
Mac Mini C2D 2ghz/4gb/SD
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Well I hated to buy another one when I just got this one. So far, if the processor card fixes the problem, I will have saved my investment by a little more than $150. More than I planned on, but not catastrophic either, if this last buy fixes it.
As for the pictures, I'm afraid I do not posses a digital camera, so no. Thanks for replying, though.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Los Angeles, California
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If this proccessor card doesn't fix it, can't you just put the new card and proc together to make a new mobo/proc combo? That way no matter what, it works.
Or am I missing something here?
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Linkinus is king.
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Dedicated MacNNer
Join Date: Jul 2005
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"I cluck, therefor I am."
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Sep 2004
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brokenjago) That's what I intend to do when the new processor card gets hear.
Jacob) Unfortunatly it doesn't get to the point where pressing command + option + P + R works. However, I did try reseting the PMU according to Apple's instructions (pressing reset button on back panel and waiting 5 seconds before restarting) and it didn't seem to make any difference.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Los Angeles, California
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--An Apple a day keeps the worries away--
I sure hope you're not referring to the computers, cause that'd be a very expensive way to keep your health.
And nucFlash: cool then. Tell us how it goes!
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Linkinus is king.
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Forum Regular
Join Date: Jan 2004
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The SO-DIMM in the lower part of the CPU card on a Pismo MUST BE LOW PROFILE. This was not a requirement of iMac SO-DIMMs. If it is not, it would explain how your cpu card wasn't making proper contact with the socket: the DIMM was rubbing on the Logic Board.
If the 128MB dimm is thicker than the original 64Meg, I would refrain from putting it in the Pismo in the lower slot
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Senior User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Asia
Status:
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Hi,
The Pismo daughtercard is notoriosuly difficult to reseat. If not properly seated, you will get no chime or startup.
First take a good look at both sides of the connector with a magnifiying glass, looking for any bent pins. If so--> carefully straighten.
Now to reseat properly, start by installing RAM in the bottom slot only, leaving the top slot empty (this allows you to press on the daughtercard directly over the seating connector).
Now press HARD. VERY HARD. Directly over the seating connector. Until you feel the card sink fully into the connector.
Once you are sure the daughtercard is properly seated, replace the memory in the top slot.
Good luck
Rich
(12 inch G4 rev C but still got my Pismo...)
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Sep 2004
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SUCCESS! The new CPU card fixed the problem. Thanks for all the replies.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Los Angeles, California
Status:
Offline
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Awesome! Enjoy your "new" Pismo
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Linkinus is king.
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