ibook g4 - charger plug connectivity issue

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Level 1

106 points

ibook g4 - charger plug connectivity issue

My mother's iBook G4 is having a problem. When our dog chewed through the Apple brand charger cord, we opted to get a third party charger due to problems finding an Apple one (our computer store was out of them when we looked). Radioshack had a nice one called an iGo. It charged just as well as the Apple charger but the second problem was the same as the first. Dog chewed through the cord. Luckily we only had to buy a new cord for this iGo product (the added benefit of buying third-party). We were doing fine until suddenly the charger was not charging. Power was running through the power brick, but there was no connectivity going on. Turned out, that the plug piece was missing the small gold tip needed to connect to and charge the iBook. It had somehow become broken off. I think that the cord had been jerked out too many times.

Well we ordered a couple extra plugs (you can replace the actual plug without replacing the whole thing). When we put the new plug into the computer, I attempted to turn it on/wake it up, but it wouldn't. There's nothing wrong with either plug, but it's just not charging.

I've come to the conclusion that the gold tip broken off from the first plug is lodged inside of the computer's charging "port." It's tough to push the new plug into the hole, and it (before the tip break-off problem) was smooth going in, and slightly clicked into place.

My main question is if this is fixable. It's her computer, and, as a result of it being "out of commission," she's been using mine. Not very convenient for either of us.

I appreciate any responses.

-Alex

iMac G4 17", Macbook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on May 23, 2007 5:07 PM

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Answer 1

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

May 23, 2007 6:45 PM in response to Alex Majors

First tie up the dog!
Can you see the plug tip in the inside of the power input - female plug?
The tough repair for this is to disassemble the iBook and replace the power input cable. ~ $60
It might be possible to dissasemble the power input housing from inside the iBook and push the tip out. Dunno' never tried it.
The only possibility that comes to mind is to use a brass tube of the right size (hobby shop) and prepare a small quantity of 5 minute epoxy. Insert it into the end of the tube - too much and you'll ruin the plug - too little and you'll not make contact with the tip. If this was inserted carefully into the input (remove battery) until it just contacts the broken tip (might have to make a "jig") and the epoxy was allowed to set you could carefully pull out the broken tip.
I recall this method being used to retrieve broken tips in the same situation.
Richard

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Answer 2

Alex Majors Author

Level 1

106 points

May 24, 2007 9:40 AM in response to spudnuty

I'd rather pay the $60 and not void the warranty/screw up the computer!

The problem is that it's very hard to see exactly what's inside of the input. If you can imagine with me, for a moment, the inside of the input:

On the inner circular wall of the power input (where the male tip is pushed), it appears that there are two brass pieces. They are both on opposite sides of the wall. I believe that the brass pieces are folded to form a loop against the side that hold the male piece's tip in place. The problem is that one of these brass pieces appears to be bent out of shape. I cannot tell if the tip of that plug that broke is inside of the input, but I do know that when I push a fresh plug (male end) into the input (female end), it feels as though the plug tip catches something before being able to be pushed completely in. I THINK that it may be this brass piece that is bent out of shape.

I am not at all learned in the "innards" of technology but I'm simply "putting it out there."

I think I may just take the laptop up to a professional to get it fixed, but I still would appreciate more answers to my question, as it may be of future benefit to me.

Thanks
-Alex

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Answer 3

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

May 24, 2007 11:22 AM in response to Alex Majors

Well I still don't know which iBook we're talking about. If it's a iBook G4 14" the power in board is acessable and the power socket itself is mostly open in the back so that also would be an option. The tip piece might be removable from the inside.
If that's the case eMail me for pics.
Richard

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