How I fixed my Powerbook G4 Trackpad Button
I'd like to share a solution I've found to a problem that plagued me.
For months, my trackpad would intermittently act sticky. I thought it was the trackpad itself, but as the problem became more frequent and intense, I realized that it was the button itself.
Because the machine was unusable without an external mouse, I decided to do whatever I could to fix it today. I tried cleaned it with a lint-free cloth, cleaning the gap between the trackpad and the button, resetting the PMU, and resetting the NVRAM. None of this helped.
SO, I deduced that it must be a hardware problem and I could probably fix it since I knew the problem originated under the button itself. So I went to iFixit.com.
I found the Upper Case removal instructions here: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBook-G4-Al-15-Inch-1-5-1-67-BT-2-0-LR/Upper -Case/64/3/
Overall, it took me about an hour of meticulous work. Opening the Powerbook went fine. I removed the top cover with some hesitation, but no damage was done. I located the trackpad circuitry and removed the 2 inner and the 2 outer screws. I discovered a very small button, THE button. I clicked it a few times and it seemed okay. Perhaps the screws had loosened over time. I lightly vacuumed the inner trackpad area with a small brush attachment, and I put it all back together.
I have apparently repair the problem completely. I can only guess that some dust got under the area and/or the screws were too lose to operate properly. If anyone is having a similar problem with their trackpad button, I highly recommend that they locate their model at iFixIt.com, locate the correct tools, and carefully remove the top casing in a clean work area.
Go here: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/
Tim-tim-poorah.
For months, my trackpad would intermittently act sticky. I thought it was the trackpad itself, but as the problem became more frequent and intense, I realized that it was the button itself.
Because the machine was unusable without an external mouse, I decided to do whatever I could to fix it today. I tried cleaned it with a lint-free cloth, cleaning the gap between the trackpad and the button, resetting the PMU, and resetting the NVRAM. None of this helped.
SO, I deduced that it must be a hardware problem and I could probably fix it since I knew the problem originated under the button itself. So I went to iFixit.com.
I found the Upper Case removal instructions here: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBook-G4-Al-15-Inch-1-5-1-67-BT-2-0-LR/Upper -Case/64/3/
Overall, it took me about an hour of meticulous work. Opening the Powerbook went fine. I removed the top cover with some hesitation, but no damage was done. I located the trackpad circuitry and removed the 2 inner and the 2 outer screws. I discovered a very small button, THE button. I clicked it a few times and it seemed okay. Perhaps the screws had loosened over time. I lightly vacuumed the inner trackpad area with a small brush attachment, and I put it all back together.
I have apparently repair the problem completely. I can only guess that some dust got under the area and/or the screws were too lose to operate properly. If anyone is having a similar problem with their trackpad button, I highly recommend that they locate their model at iFixIt.com, locate the correct tools, and carefully remove the top casing in a clean work area.
Go here: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/
Tim-tim-poorah.
15" Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.10), 1.5GHz, 1.5GB RAM, 100GB HD
