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Timothy R. Butler
Level 1 (55 points)

Q: Hinge Problem in PB 140.

Years ago, I found a PowerBook 140 at a flea market. I bought it for $30. It worked fine, except that the plastic on the right hinge was somewhat loose and the backlight would flicker on-and-off if it got too loose. I'd squeeze it a bit and all would be well.

Something happened, however, and the case is really coming apart now. It looks like the screw on the side that was coming apart actually pulled through the plastic exterior; the hinge itself is stuck in an almost upright position, on that side, rather than moving up and down with the plastic bezel. The case has separated about half way up the LCD screen and about half way across the bottom and the plastic over the hinge is now spread out far enough I don't think I can shut the unit without risking breaking it.

The screw seems to have come out of the hinge on the right side, so I suspect that is why the thing is coming apart, but I'm not quite sure how to get it back together.

I tried removing the screw on the left hand side, but none of the hex head screwdrivers I tried fit just right -- they were either too large or too small.

Anyone have any advice?

Thanks,
Tim

PM G5 DP/2.7GHz, PB 12 1.33 GHz, iMac G3/400 (2000), Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Dec 24, 2008 1:16 PM

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Timothy R. Butler

Q: Hinge Problem in PB 140.

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  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Dec 24, 2008 1:46 PM in response to Timothy R. Butler
    Level 9 (61,078 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 24, 2008 1:46 PM in response to Timothy R. Butler
    It is likely a Torx screw, possibly size T-8. examine it closely with a bright light.

  • by Jan Hedlund,

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Dec 25, 2008 3:55 AM in response to Timothy R. Butler
    Level 6 (9,894 points)
    Dec 25, 2008 3:55 AM in response to Timothy R. Butler
    Tim,

    Once the front piece (frame) has been removed, you will notice that the two hinges are fastened with totally four screws. Unfortunately, it is not unusual that the metal inserts work loose from the plastic. Glue can often not be expected to provide the necessary strength. A stable solution would probably require something like through-going holes.

    Jan

  • by Niteshooter,

    Niteshooter Niteshooter Dec 31, 2008 2:53 PM in response to Timothy R. Butler
    Level 2 (454 points)
    Dec 31, 2008 2:53 PM in response to Timothy R. Butler
    Hi Tim as Grant mentions these are Torx head screws (star shaped). Apple used them on most of the PowerBooks from that era except the 100.

    The plastic on these PowerBooks was also really brittle, the 170 and 180c come to mind as I had to run screws through the screen trim of a 180c just as Jan describes in order to keep it together for a co worker. I also recall that that PowerBook had video connection issues just as you described, by pressing on the sides of the screen you could cause the display to work or fail.

    I have to check but it seemed to me Apple issued shim kits for repair depots back then to try and resolve some of the problems. I thought they were just pieces of white cardboard though being New Years Eve my mind is kind of polluted right now....

    Kevin