Hello. I have an iBook G4 (1.07 GHz, 512 MB RAM, 12.1 In.) without the black screen and high speed fan issue.
Sometimes, I feel my iBook get hot and I don't feel the fans turn on very much. I do not know why it is doing it for some reason.
Is there any way or tips for the iBook G4 fan?
iBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11), A Nice Mac for Educational uses
For the iBook G4 to run a little cooler, you may choose to increase the
installed chip RAM by adding more capacity to the user-upgrade slot...
This should allow the computer to rely less on Virtual memory, where
the hard disk drive is used for swap, temporary and other read-write
files that otherwise may have been handled in RAM primarily.
Since Virtual Memory is essentially the computer writing and reading
files to the hard disk drive, this also means that hard drive is working
harder more of the time; it also means it needs to have a significant
amount of free or unused capacity.
So to add 1 - PC-2100 DDR266 200-pin SO-DIMM (PC-2700 supported
however it will run at only 266 MHz; not the 333MHz on the chip) This
may or may not be near whatever is already installed. Depending on
the build model iBook G4, it may have as little as 128MB soldered on
the logic board and the upgrade slot under the keyboard holds more.
The largest capacity chip is 1024MB or 1GB, so that's best.
You could take a look into a guide such as this, to see how complex the
insides of these portable models are. Tedious with great attention to all
fine details is a minimum requirement, experience and skill is helpful.
The Fan may be only part of the issue, dusty stuff may block air-flow.
•iBook G4 Repair Guide - iFixit:
https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iBook_G4
If the hard disk drive is getting full of stored content (user created) then
it's time to save the content to an external hard disk drive (FW enclosed)
since USB1.0 is rather slow data speed. Also a FW (firewire) enclosed
hard disk drive, with its own power supply can be handy. The ones with
an Oxford-type chipset allow the ability to boot the PPC G4 from a Clone.
A fully bootable copy of the installed computer's OS X, from the external.
This can be an ultimate backup, since it can run the Mac when the internal
hard disk drive fails. These are such a chore to get into for repairs, many
people either try a DIY or find a shop that still works on them, if there is an
attachment to the iBook series. Otherwise, a newer vintage intel based
MacBook (circa 2006 to 2010) may be a value, if not trashed or worn.
Anyway, the need for Virtual Memory (hard drive usage) can generate heat.
Actual installed chip-RAM can reduce that heat generation. A dusty fan or
other issues (worn hard disk drive) can also cause heat issues. A slower
Mac may be due to these kinds of issues as well.
Some sources of parts or service may include wegenermedia.com or
other places at a distance, experts who specialize in compact portable
Apple computers can do a fair job. Many could have inventory of fixed
models in their stock of limited items. OWC sometimes has newer ones.
The iFixit.com site has some repair guides that may cover Apple portables
this old, I have not checked lately; however these are not easy to get into
and sometimes the wires, screws, solder joints and other bits can fail after
an attempt to clean or upgrade the interior components.
At any rate, keep an eye on early model Intel-based MacBooks with an OS X
of about Snow Leopard 10.6.8, as these are a fairly good series. Yet be care-
ful of worn or beat models that have evidence of abuse. You can get these in
repaired condition usually for under $400. or so, with a guaranty. For that kind
of upgrade, keep in mind they use a different kind of RAM and are not PPC.
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂
edited
For the iBook G4 to run a little cooler, you may choose to increase the
installed chip RAM by adding more capacity to the user-upgrade slot...
This should allow the computer to rely less on Virtual memory, where
the hard disk drive is used for swap, temporary and other read-write
files that otherwise may have been handled in RAM primarily.
Since Virtual Memory is essentially the computer writing and reading
files to the hard disk drive, this also means that hard drive is working
harder more of the time; it also means it needs to have a significant
amount of free or unused capacity.
So to add 1 - PC-2100 DDR266 200-pin SO-DIMM (PC-2700 supported
however it will run at only 266 MHz; not the 333MHz on the chip) This
may or may not be near whatever is already installed. Depending on
the build model iBook G4, it may have as little as 128MB soldered on
the logic board and the upgrade slot under the keyboard holds more.
The largest capacity chip is 1024MB or 1GB, so that's best.
You could take a look into a guide such as this, to see how complex the
insides of these portable models are. Tedious with great attention to all
fine details is a minimum requirement, experience and skill is helpful.
The Fan may be only part of the issue, dusty stuff may block air-flow.
•iBook G4 Repair Guide - iFixit:
https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iBook_G4
If the hard disk drive is getting full of stored content (user created) then
it's time to save the content to an external hard disk drive (FW enclosed)
since USB1.0 is rather slow data speed. Also a FW (firewire) enclosed
hard disk drive, with its own power supply can be handy. The ones with
an Oxford-type chipset allow the ability to boot the PPC G4 from a Clone.
A fully bootable copy of the installed computer's OS X, from the external.
This can be an ultimate backup, since it can run the Mac when the internal
hard disk drive fails. These are such a chore to get into for repairs, many
people either try a DIY or find a shop that still works on them, if there is an
attachment to the iBook series. Otherwise, a newer vintage intel based
MacBook (circa 2006 to 2010) may be a value, if not trashed or worn.
Anyway, the need for Virtual Memory (hard drive usage) can generate heat.
Actual installed chip-RAM can reduce that heat generation. A dusty fan or
other issues (worn hard disk drive) can also cause heat issues. A slower
Mac may be due to these kinds of issues as well.
Some sources of parts or service may include wegenermedia.com or
other places at a distance, experts who specialize in compact portable
Apple computers can do a fair job. Many could have inventory of fixed
models in their stock of limited items. OWC sometimes has newer ones.
The iFixit.com site has some repair guides that may cover Apple portables
this old, I have not checked lately; however these are not easy to get into
and sometimes the wires, screws, solder joints and other bits can fail after
an attempt to clean or upgrade the interior components.
At any rate, keep an eye on early model Intel-based MacBooks with an OS X
of about Snow Leopard 10.6.8, as these are a fairly good series. Yet be care-
ful of worn or beat models that have evidence of abuse. You can get these in
repaired condition usually for under $400. or so, with a guaranty. For that kind
of upgrade, keep in mind they use a different kind of RAM and are not PPC.
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂
edited
iBook G4 Internal Fans
