Possible to fix broken ethernet port?

Question

Level 2

265 points

Possible to fix broken ethernet port?

Hello,
I'm wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to fix a broken ethernet port?
Mine has become very "loose" and I need to wedge something under the actual head of the cable (once it's plugged in) to sorta "lift" the ethernet up a bit, otherwise the powerbook doesn't recognize there being anything plugged in.
Is this a complete logic board replacement?
Thanks,
Kristin.

20" Intel iMac 2.16Ghz, 12" PowerBook G4 1.33Ghz, Mac OS X (10.4.3), 8GB Nano

Posted on Nov 12, 2007 5:38 PM

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Answer 1

BGreg

Level 6

17,558 points

Nov 12, 2007 6:52 PM in response to kristin.

On our PB's, the ports are tied into the logic board. See the picture on ifixit.com at http://www.ifixit.com/PowerBook-Parts/G4-Aluminum-12-Inch-1-33-GHz-Logic-Board/I F153-038 . Repair is normally done by replacing the logic board, although, if you google 'powerbook 12" 1.33 logic board repair' you'll come up with a number of repair alternatives.

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Answer 2

kristin. Author

Level 2

265 points

Nov 12, 2007 6:57 PM in response to BGreg

I've tried ifixit.com in the past and they've always had the logic board "out of stock." I'll have to do some searching online to find somewhere that might have 'em...
Thanks,
k.

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Answer 3

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Nov 12, 2007 7:15 PM in response to kristin.

kristin:

These babies are a bit expensive. Try using a wad of paper or something like that as a wedge. Sorry 😟

cornelius

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Answer 4

kristin. Author

Level 2

265 points

Nov 22, 2007 4:17 PM in response to kristin.

Just an FYI for anyone else out there with this problem (ie. dead ethernet port) and who don't want to spend the large amount of $ on a completely new logic board, I purchased a D-Link USB 2.0 Fast Ethernet Adapter (DUB-E100) and used these unofficial drivers ( http://sustworks.com/site/newsusbethernet.html) and in 10 minutes I was up and running via ethernet again, nice and fast. Works great and costs me less than $50. That's a lot better than the $300+ (plus installation) for a new logic board, just for a busted ethernet port.
k.

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Answer 5

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Nov 22, 2007 8:25 PM in response to kristin.

kristin:

Great workaround. Congratulations!

Thanks for posting back with an update of how you resolved your issue.

Cheers 🙂

cornelius

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Answer 6

Dec 27, 2007 12:03 PM in response to kristin.

I got mines fixed at

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260197573489&ssPageName= STRK:MESE:IT

and that was over 6 months ago i became a member here just to tell you this

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