Fabercula

Q: Display not straight iMac G4 800 17"

Hello, I have an old iMac G4 800 17" which is still running but its display is not straight, lower in the left and upper in the right-hand. I can't see any screws to turn to fix it.

 

Does anyone know how to do that?

 

Thank you,

 

Fabrizio

iMac Coro2Duo 2.4 - Macbook, Mac OS X (10.4.10), iMac PPC 800

Posted on Oct 28, 2014 5:10 AM

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Q: Display not straight iMac G4 800 17"

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  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Oct 29, 2014 10:05 PM in response to Fabercula
    Level 6 (14,259 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 29, 2014 10:05 PM in response to Fabercula

    So, is the display within the frame no longer square?

     

    Or, is the entire end of the chrome arm with display attached

    somehow been twisted or bent, so the display looks wrong?

     

    A bent metal superstructure is almost impossible to straighten.

    Also, these are difficult to take apart to fix wear items; there is

    a big spring & a few metal bearings inside arm's chrome body.

     

    If this is the situation, you can see several references to the

    iMac's Chrome arm (disassembly) in search results, examples:

    https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=imac+g4+chrome+arm+disassembly

     

    •https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=imac+g4+service+manual

    from above link - see reference:

    old manuals-apple manuals

     

    There should be some obscure online service manual for these

    early iMac G4 PPC models; the last ones made are referred to

    as iMac G4 USB2.0 (15" 1.0GHz, 17" 1.25GHz, 20" 1.25GHz)

    so there would be a manual to cover these... One of the PDF

    manuals I was given to use in attempt to diagnose & repair

    the major logic board and other failures under Applecare, at

    home, since the dealer in Anchorage could not or would not

    fix it (didn't want to fix one not sold by their store) I have three

    or four different Service Manuals. One specific to 1.25/17" and

    another covers the three models iMacG4 USB2.0 in one.

     

    I used to have a 17" iMac G4 800MHz with superdrive, airport,

    dialup modem, speakers, dual-boot OS9 + OS X 10.4, & etc.

    I gave it to a friend, who still has it. Was as-new & worked well.

     

    I have 3 of the last 17" iMac G4 1.25GHz model, one works so-so.

    Two are for parts - if I take apart all three - to make a franken-mac.

     

    So if you can identify 800MHZ  computer correctly, you may

    find or line up a source to download or find a former service

    tech who bought their own Apple support media & manuals

    from that era who wants to sell or give you his copies...

     

    One of my iMacG4 17" 1.25GHz models arrived new with a

    twisted or bent chrome arm, but the shipping carton was fine.

     

    ...And that was just the beginning of the end. I still have it, but

    an allegedly 'authorized' repair agent messed it up under the

    AppleCare plan, causing it and me plenty of grief. It's inop now.

    {I drove over 2,000 miles to take iMac in, for failed Apple repairs

    under AppleCare. The first Mac I had with a warranty; out of 200+

    Macs I'd owned to that time and repaired to give away.}

     

    Plan on this: to deal with display, a complete & detailed takeapart

    of entire computer is likely. Then, it may fail to work again.

     

    An independent authorized Apple service provider with older product

    knowledge, skill and training could be one to ask about this matter.

    Also, if the internal 3.6v 1/2AA lithium battery needs replaced, that is

    just the beginning of accessing the internal wonderland of these.

     

    Mr Totes iMac G4 (looks to be USB2.0 -- newer than 800MHz)

    http://www.mrtotes.co.uk/page1/page1.html

     

    iMac G4 take apart for Drives, RAM, Battery:

    http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/imac_g4/imacg4_takeapart.html

     

    And there are no known new parts for these available from

    cataloged sources; some may exist, but aren't being made.

    Except a battery, some RAM, & maybe a few other bits.

     

    In any event...

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by Fabercula,

    Fabercula Fabercula Oct 30, 2014 1:22 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (24 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 30, 2014 1:22 AM in response to K Shaffer

    Thank you for replying.

     

    My iMac is an 800Mhz 17" flat panel, not of the latest models. I bought it in 2002 or 2003.

    It works well; I'll have a look at what you wrote.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Oct 30, 2014 11:05 AM in response to Fabercula
    Level 6 (14,259 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 30, 2014 11:05 AM in response to Fabercula

    There may be a match between this manual and your 17-inch iMacG4 model.

    Since there were more than one 17-inch model and more than one 800MHz.

     

    This said it's 'flat panel 17-inch' which implies earlier, or non-USB2.0 equipped.

     

    The file is 16.8MB and takes a little time to get the .pdf manual. It should be

    able to open in Preview, and work fine. Or in Adobe Reader if you prefer. Best

    to download & save the file, maybe move a copy to external drive, etc.

    active link to download the manual

     

    The link does work, appears it should be helpful and likely is correct.

    There may be a way to adjust the display angle slightly, but not much

    without disassembly. Often, the display-end of the arm was bent though.

     

    Hopefully this helps, as it would be a fair offline archive to set aside for

    use with the computer for upkeep, upgrade, or attempted repairs ahead.

     

    If you should approach an AASP or authorized service provider who is

    not familiar with these computers, be wary; also offer to share this on a

    USB flash or thumb-drive if you trust their professional help, if even they

    would offer it. -- Some do not want to see these older models at all.

     

    In any event...

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by Fabercula,

    Fabercula Fabercula Oct 30, 2014 10:40 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (24 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 30, 2014 10:40 PM in response to K Shaffer

    Thank you again.

     

    That's just my model.

    i scrolled it all down but couldn't find anything about the arm which holda the flat panel.

     

     

     

    My iMac is an 800Mhz 17" flat panel, not of the latest models. I bought it in 2002 or 2003.

    It works well; I'll have a look at what you wrote.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Oct 30, 2014 10:57 PM in response to Fabercula
    Level 6 (14,259 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 30, 2014 10:57 PM in response to Fabercula

    There are two diagrams with original part numbers at the end of the manual.

    And it is possible to magnify the view of those, too.

     

    Hopefully that helps somewhat, as a resource archive.

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by Fabercula,

    Fabercula Fabercula Oct 31, 2014 4:24 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (24 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 31, 2014 4:24 AM in response to K Shaffer

    Thank you and Happy Halloween.

  • by Fabercula,

    Fabercula Fabercula Oct 31, 2014 4:25 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (24 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 31, 2014 4:25 AM in response to K Shaffer

    Thank you and Happy Halloween!

     

    Sorry for the double post.