kingtyng
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: I have a PowerBook G4 17" and need Apple discs to set it up again. Mine lost during move. Screen seems damaged, has vertical lines.  Can anyone help. I can call as I have unlimited calling on my iPhone 6  anywhere in North America.

I have a PowerBook G4 17" and need Apple discs to set it up again. Mine lost during move. Screen seems damaged, has vertical lines.  Can anyone help. I can call as I have unlimited calling on my iPhone 6  anywhere in North America.

PowerBook

Posted on Nov 3, 2014 8:17 AM

Close
kingtyng

Q: I have a PowerBook G4 17" and need Apple discs to set it up again. Mine lost during move. Screen seems damaged, has vertical lines ... more

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by sheffi,

    sheffi sheffi Nov 3, 2014 9:00 AM in response to kingtyng
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Nov 3, 2014 9:00 AM in response to kingtyng

    Please do not call If you have retail Leopard DVDs then use them or try asking Apple I got a junk ibook with no DVD they sent me 2 replaceable retail Tiger DVDs I gave them the serial number they sent them from Taiwan to Japan free. And the vertical line could be a  a Mother board damage or check and clean the ports power plug ,batt , VRAM PMU, MEM although you will not see the damage using Hardware Diagnostics anyway you do not have the original grey disks ,but you can connect to a Power Mac vie Target disk mode

  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Nov 3, 2014 9:03 AM in response to kingtyng
    Level 9 (78,557 points)
    iTunes
    Nov 3, 2014 9:03 AM in response to kingtyng

    You may be able to get the original install disks for your Mac by calling the Online Apple Store at the number given at the bottom left of this page and quoting the serial number - they will send it to you for a nominal fee assuming something this old is still available.

     

    As to the screen issue, you should if possible take it to an Apple Store to be looked at (make an appointment). If it's a hardware fault then it's likely that the cost isn't worth it given the age of the machine.

  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Nov 3, 2014 11:33 AM in response to kingtyng
    Level 8 (35,321 points)
    iPad
    Nov 3, 2014 11:33 AM in response to kingtyng

    king,

     

    If your Powerbook's serial number (do not post it here) starts with "W8" then the vertical lines are mostly likely due to a defect in the display itself. W8 is a factory code and, during the iMac G5 and PowerBook G4 timespan, that factory shipped thousands of units with the same defect. It cannot be fixed via software.

     

    As all PowerBooks are now classed as "obsolete," an Apple Store will not work on it. They will look at it ands tell you it has vertical lines and that they cannot fix it. This Apple article shows Apple devices they curently considered obsolete:

     

    Vintage and obsolete products - Apple Support

     

    It is possible that some Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASP) will still work on older computes but they cannot get neededparts from Apple. As this issue was so pervassive, it wil be hard for you or an AASP to find a used/pulled display that is not effected with the "W8 Curse."

     

    Although I love the old PowerBooks, I would not even spent the money for disks, much less the US$150-400 it would cost to replace the display, even should one be available.

     

    If you give us a rough idea of where you are in the world, we can suggest repair shops specializing in fixing older Mac notebooks, but be aware those resources may be rather scare outside North America.