ibook smell

Mine Stinks too.

Definately the keyboard. I removed it and VNC'ed to the box for a week with the keyboard out. Smell pretty much disapated (with the help of the dryer sheet.)

Left the sheet out and the keyboard for another week... No smell. Keyboard in a plastic bag, reaks.

Still reaking 2 weeks later. I plan to tear it apart and clean everything with some goof-off. If i ruin it, or can't fix it, I will try to buy a new keyboard that lacks the stench.

mine is a ibook g3 dual usb 14 incher, no airport, cd-rw/dvd combo. 700mhz.

I bought it for my wife to use for a "grade book" (teacher, 4th grade).. but she won't touch it because it smells like the kids after gym class.

This phenomenon seems to be a known issue now. Apparently it is due to the decomposition of material inside the keyboard membrane itself. See here for additional info. Luckily, this issue does not affect all iBook G3's.

http://lowendmac.com/menagh/06/1013.html

http://lowendmac.com/menagh/06/1019.html

We have 2 G3 iBooks, 800 & 900 MHz and 1 G4 iBook and not a stinker in the bunch. I probably should not have said that too loud! I am here to offer a suggestion to those of you who want to try to remove the offending label and are having problems with the adhesive. Try WD40 on a Q-tip. Apply just enough WD40 with the Q-tip to wet the adhesive and allow it to "soak" for a few minutes and wipe with a clean, soft cloth. It may take a couple of applications. According to Miss Ronda it is the little tiny label and not the larger label with the directions for inserting the Airport card. Hope this helps. Wayne

iBook G3 900 MHz Mac OS X (10.3.8) 640 MB SDRAM

Hi, Whatever you do, DON'T USE BLEACH on your iBook! My wife used bleach on something in the other room and when that smell combined with the stink from the keyboard, I had to go outside and gulp for fresh air!! The bleach exacerbates the awful smell!!! I couldn't go near the laptop for 2 days!!
Mine is a 2002 and I live in Boston

I solved the problem of the iMac G3 stinky keyboard. I sold the Mac, it was amazing the smell went away instantly.

While I was at it, I sold the Powerbook G4 also. It was amazing, I got $900 for it and with the $300 I got for the G3, I took the money and put it in the bank and I am waiting for the Leopard release so I can buy a MacBook and not have to pay for the OS upgrade.

You had an iMac with a stinky keyboard?

This thread is about iBooks.

Replacing the keyboard on an iMac is a cinch, and its not a lot harder on an iBook:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=111917

Johnson's Pledge dusting spray works for me to remove price labels from glass, and a Q-Tip saturated with Pledge used to swab at the adhesive residue may work to remove this adhesive, also.

I would advise against using heat anywhere close to the iBook. Damage to internal components can result from hair dryers, etc.

Dan Knight of Low End Mac has posted twice in this thread, requesting documentation.

You will note that the articles on Low End Mac refer to his research here so this thread is basically what makes it a "known issue." The problem is not officially recognized as a "known issue" by Apple, however, which is usually the manner in which the term is used.

Dan Knight of Low End Mac has posted twice in this thread, requesting documentation.

You will note that the articles on Low End Mac refer to his research here so this thread is basically what makes it a "known issue." The problem is not officially recognized as a "known issue" by Apple, however, which is usually the manner in which the term is used.

Ronda...
Congratulations on not letting this thread die.
By now, I assume it is the longest running and the one with more messages.

Can it make it to 2008?



Deivy

My iBook keyboard stinks too...

I think it's gross... It makes me want to sell it.
... and buy a MacBook.. A BLACK, good smelling one.

Apple should do something about it. Like a free keyboard change for every stinky iBook.

It's long enough that it won't load in Threaded View for me any more. I have to switch my settings to Flat View before opening it.

The last I knew, Niel said this on the subject:

The longest running thread is the Half dimmed flat panel display thread in the Displays section, which is a few months older than the iBook smell thread. If you go by number of posts, the longest thread is the Uneven Illumination thread in the 15-inch Aluminum PowerBook area, which has over 1350 replies.

However, both of those threads now have been archived. They can be read, but replies are not allowed. This may be the longest and oldest ACTIVE thread, although I have no way of knowing that for certain.

Has Apple recognized this "issue" with the Ibooks. I have the same problem, and I am sick of the smell, and of my boyfriend making fun of my stinky computer! It doesn't seem like anyone has offered a real solution.
It is definitely deeper than the keyboard, I have febrezed, bleached, and wiped down and nothing has helped for more than a day!

Hi, and welcome to Apple Discussions.

Have you read the entire thread?

Everyone who has replaced his/her keyboard has experienced a cessation of the smell. Sometimes another keyboard will start smelling again after awhile, but it does appear to be completely related to the keyboard.

Keep bleach away from the keyboard, please!

No, there is NO recognized issue here.

If this were happening to mine, I have written repeated suggestions here of how I would attempt to deal with it.

In addition to previous suggestions, I have recently found Odorcide which, dabbed on the underside of the keyboard and allowed to dry, may prove helpful.

Here is the link to the Apple Knowledge Base article on replacing the keyboard:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=111917

To confirm that it is the keyboard causing the stench, I would suggest removing the keyboard and placing it in a plastic bag. Allow the iBook to air out for a week. Then open up the plastic bag and see what you think.

Reports here of any successful remedies (besides keyboard replacement) will be greatly appreciated.