iBook G4 blacks out without warning

Question

Level 1

10 points

iBook G4 blacks out without warning

My sister has an iBook G4 and she tells me that she was reading something on a website and that out of nowhere, it just blacked out. She describes it as "like when someone turns off an old television". I have also tried turning it back on, but that didn't work. I checked the battery and it was at two dots, so that isn't a problem. I don't think that there's anything wrong with the hard drive, the memory, or even the display. I just don't know what happened.

Please give me anything to help fix this problem.

Thank you in advance for any answers.

iBook G4

Posted on Jul 12, 2013 8:21 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 13, 2013 12:31 AM in response to jhb391098

Hello and welcome to the support community.

There could be any number of reason why an iBook could simply turn off.

First try resetting the PMU here is a guide to help you do that http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1431

This reset often help with strange behaviour differences and portables that won't turn on.

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Answer 2

jhb391098 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 13, 2013 6:06 PM in response to Knucklesmac

Hello,

I tried resetting the PMU, but that didn't do anything... I followed all of the directions and everything. Is there anything else I can do to try to fix it?

Thank you though! 🙂

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Answer 3

dalstott

Level 4

2,639 points

Jul 14, 2013 9:54 AM in response to jhb391098

You can try safe mode which will do a file check if it can restart.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1564

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1455

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Answer 4

jhb391098 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 16, 2013 6:42 PM in response to dalstott

Hello,

What do I do if it can't restart?

Thank you.

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Answer 5

Jul 16, 2013 11:32 PM in response to jhb391098

Hello,

When you power on your iBook do you hear the chime?

Any response from the keyboard, for example caps light comes on?

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Answer 6

jhb391098 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 19, 2013 8:15 PM in response to Knucklesmac

Hello,

Sorry for the late reply! And no, I don't hear the startup chime, and there is no evidence of it starting up.

What could this mean? Is there anything else I can do about it?

Thank you.

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Answer 7

Jul 20, 2013 1:31 PM in response to jhb391098

Hello,

Try applying pressure to the left side of the tracker pad with your palm, while pressing the power button.

Make sure the iBook is on a flat stable surface like a desk or table when doing this as you may need to apply a bit of pressure (I.e pressing it hard down) Make sure it's plugged in and the charging light is green.

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Answer 8

jhb391098 Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 8, 2013 11:01 AM in response to Knucklesmac

Hello,

Sorry for the very late reply. I was away for the past week.

Just now I tried to do that, but it still didn't work.

Is there anything else I can try? I'm kind of at a loss here.

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Answer 9

Aug 8, 2013 10:28 PM in response to jhb391098

Hello,

Sounds to me like the logic board has failed or the DC-inboard.

The only option you have is to take it to a Apple repair shop for further diagnostics. Some places including the Apple Store may not look older Mac's now. Really depends on who you see.

Without me physically looking at it, I can't really diagnose it other than being a possible logic board failure.

Sound like you have tried all you can to power on the iBook.

Any further test would require the unit to be taken apart.

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