Pismo PowerBook--no video

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Level 1

19 points

Pismo PowerBook--no video

Hi all,

I have a Pismo PowerBook that has no video for both the internal display and any attached external displays. It seems to boot up just fine as I can hear the hard drive working and can even put the computer to sleep by pressing the power button followed by the "s" key.

I initially thought that this must be a problem with the logic board, so I ordered a replacement from ifixit.com and installed it. The new board produces exactly the same symptoms as before: no video from any source. Other than a dead replacement logic board, is there anything else that would cause this problem?

Thanks,
Dan

iMac G5, Pismo PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Jan 3, 2009 11:51 AM

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Answer 1

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Texas Mac Man

Level 8

46,839 points

Jan 3, 2009 1:16 PM in response to Dan12

Dan, welcome to Apple Discussions.

I also have a Pismo, but haven't experienced this problem. Below is the text (for video) from Apple's Pismo Service Manual.

PowerBook (FireWire) Symptom Charts / Video –

Pixel(s) always on or off
1. A certain number of pixel anomalies are inherent in display
technology and vary by many factors, including type of
technology. If you suspect that the display contains an
abnormal number of anomalies, contact Apple Technical
Support.
Warning: Do not use a metal screwdriver to reseat the display cable
or shorting could result. Use a plastic or nylon tool.

Partial or full row of pixels is always on or always off
1. Check display cable connection.
2. In the U.S., contact Apple Technical Support.
3. Replace display cable (international only).
4. Replace display (international only).
5. Replace I/O logic board.

Display is very light or totally white
1. Verify display cable and inverter board cable connections to the I/O logic board.
2. Replace inverter board.
3. In the U.S., contact Apple Technical Support.
4. Replace display cable (international only).
5. Replace display (international only).

An external monitor connected to the computer shows no video
1. Verify external monitor has power.
2. Try different resolutions in the Monitors control panel.
3. Try another monitor cable and verify the video adapter has part number 590-1123 on the adapter.
4. Try another monitor.
5. Restart unit and reset PRAM.
6. Replace I/O logic board.

No display, but computer appears to operate correctly
1. Connect power adapter.
2. Adjust screen brightness using keyboard controls.
3. Verify display cable, inverter board, and I/O logic board connections.
4. Connect external, known-good monitor.
5. Verify inverter cable is properly connected.
6. Replace inverter cable.
7. Replace inverter board.
8. In the U.S., contact Apple Technical Support.
9. Replace display cable (international only).
10. Replace display (international only).
11. Replace I/O logic board.

An external monitor connected to the computer shows either horizontal or vertical rolling, or horizontal or vertical distortion
1. Try different resolutions in the Monitors control panel.
2. Verify monitor using another computer.
3. Try another video adapter and verify the video adapter has part number 590-1123 on it.
4. Replace I/O logic board.

Backlight doesn’t operate; screen is very dim
1. Adjust screen brightness setting.
2. Verify backlight cable connection is secure.
3. Check display cable and inverter board connections to the I/O logic board.
4. Verify inverter cable is properly connected and that cable is good.
5. Verify cables are not pinched or severed.
6. Replace inverter board.
7. In the U.S., contact Apple Technical Support.
8. Replace display (international only).
9. Replace I/O logic board.

I don't think it's a backlight or inverter problem because you could still get video out to an external monitor. Have you tried a PRAM zap? Could be the display cable or connector.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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Answer 2

Dan12 Author

Level 1

19 points

Jan 3, 2009 2:22 PM in response to Texas Mac Man

Tom,

Thanks very much for the service manual information. I've reset the PRAM on the machine several times, both by using the command-option-p-r key combination and by typing commands into open firmware in the blind. Neither made any difference.

I don't think it's the display cable because, even if the internal LCD didn't work, there should still be video to the external display. At this point, I can't get any video anywhere.

The only thing I can think of is that my replacement logic board was faulty.

Thanks again,
Dan

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Answer 3

macmyke

Level 1

0 points

Jan 6, 2009 7:07 PM in response to Dan12

HI. I'm hoping this note will be relevant as I checked your dialogs and didn't see any mention of your clock battery replacement... I had to do this and I hope its the solution you're needing. check with Tom at Macattic.com for the new part. I've done business with him many times over the years and always walked away happy. Good luck!

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Answer 4

Jan 8, 2009 1:23 PM in response to Dan12

Dan, i'm actually having the exact problem on my pismo. it happened after a short fall from my nightstand. after the gong on startup, i can hear the volume adjuster when pressed up or down, and the drive and fan working fine. i tried booting to it, (i call him Rupert), from my iMac in target disk mode with no luck - i got the flashing fire-wire icon on my iMac screen. i then hooked up an svideo cord to my television also with no response - i tried using the keystrokes CMD OPT+AV and CMD OPT+TV to force video output to no avail. i don't have a vga or dual display cord and am looking into perhaps finding those and an enclosure for the drive to make sure things are okay there.

i was first thinking that perhaps one of the display connections came loose. i went in and checked the cable connection to the logic board, which is tight and seems fine, but i didn't get to the inverter. i will perhaps try this tonight or over the weekend. i'm not certain if the video card may be the suspect or even how to test it if i can't get the hard dive to output anything for me while still inside the powerbook. lets keep each other updated on any developments. i miss my Rupert and would hate to put him to rest now. although i've already put sooo much work into him to let him go without a fight, i'm not sure i can justify putting much more money into him.

Message was edited by: alyshalynn

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Answer 5

Jan 8, 2009 2:04 PM in response to alyshalynn

i thought i should also say that i'm not sure if fire-wire target disk mode is even possible to a powerbook or if i did it correctly - i'm not sure if i need to press anything on the laptop when starting up the iMac. i've definitely started in target disk mode from the iMac to a regular external drive before though.

i also tried PWR CMD+OPT+SHIFTDELETE on the iMac with the fire-wire between them to bypass startup and boot from an external but no luck there either, but again i'm not sure if this is a valid keyset for the pismo or iMac. i tried PWR+R to reset the screen as well. i actually haven't tried zapping the pram, but will at least do so after work. i've replaced the logic board on Rupert a couple years ago so i would hope that wouldn't be the problem.

you can see how to reach the display cables here:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBook-G3-Pismo/Display/6/13/Page-1

Message was edited by: alyshalynn

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Answer 6

jpl

Level 7

28,285 points

Jan 8, 2009 8:06 PM in response to alyshalynn

alyshalynn,

Here are the steps for FireWire Target Disk Mode:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661

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Answer 7

Jan 9, 2009 5:06 AM in response to Dan12

Sounds familiar. Over one year later, 9 visits to 3 shops and numerous parts replaced - both video and audio fail after several minutes of use. Service providers keep parrotting 'It works fine for us". My daughter is supposed to phone and pick up the unit today. I'm completely pessimistic as the current service provider has made three attempts since October to repair the Pismo.

Will attempt to find out 'who' at Apple is responsible for 'screening' and 'maintenance' of independent 3rd party Apple sales and service. It's no longer about the 'money' anymore.

Joe

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Answer 8

Dan12 Author

Level 1

19 points

Jan 12, 2009 4:09 PM in response to alyshalynn

Problem solved! Turns out it was a bad processor card. I ordered one from ifixit.com and all is well again.

Thanks for all your help,
Dan

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Answer 9

Jan 14, 2009 7:28 AM in response to Dan12

Dan, how did you get to this conclusion? I'm still trying to isolate any problems on Rupert. It's been a slow process though. I've been a bit sidetracked.

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Answer 10

Dan12 Author

Level 1

19 points

Jan 15, 2009 6:22 AM in response to alyshalynn

Hi alyshalynn,

I tried replacing the logic board when the problem first occurred, but the replacement left me with the same symptoms as before. The support people at iFixit.com then suggested that I try a new processor card, which (to my surprise, actually) worked. If you haven't already, you may want to verify that your processor card is fully seated to the logic board. Otherwise, it seems like you'll need either a new logic board or a new processor card.

Did you succeed in getting FireWire target disk mode to work?

Dan

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