Woes of an elderly iBook

April 3, 2007 12:50 PM

My six-year old iBook, plugged into the wall for internet, can't hold the connection. Sites will be loading just fine, and then it's as if the cord has suddenly been unplugged. The problem seems to be in the physical connection with the computer, not with the cord or the source.

Sometimes the disconnect seems random, and sometimes it seems to be related to the position of the cord or computer, i.e. if I move the computer while it's connected, it will disconnect, and jiggling the cord at the outlet works -- sometimes. It's always possible I'm also just looking for patterns in a random phenomenon.

I've tried connecting with other cords, and I've tried my cord in other laptops. The common variable for the problem is always my computer.

I sprayed some canned air into the spot where the plug goes, and it connected for a few minutes. The spot isn't too dirty, from what I can see, though there is some dust.

So, my question: What could be going wrong on the computer hook-up end of this situation, and what can I do to fix it or investigate it further?

Suggestions that won't be helpful: "Get a new computer" - I don't have the money - and "Get wireless" - not offered where I live. FWIW, though, wireless works just fine.

(And while you're thinking about my computer :), the display also goes dark unless I have a clamp squeezing down the lower left corner, by the touchpad. Thoughts?)

posted by ramenopres to technology (11 comments total)

Maybe try squirting some switch cleaner or WD40 into the ethernet socket?

Also, wireless base stations are very cheap. If you plugged one of those onto the end of your cord you'd have instant wifi.
posted by humblepigeon at 1:01 PM on April 3, 2007

Seconding wireless. It need not be "offered"; home wireless is just a retail purchase from any computer carrier. You don't even have to do Apple's Airport; you can get a Linksys router for $40ish, if memory serves. And if you do have a bad Ethernet jack on your iBook, then this is a way that you can make it obsolete.
posted by WCityMike at 1:04 PM on April 3, 2007

This all sounds like some things are slowly (or not so slowly) coming un-soldered, something like this. Prognosis can be good/not good depending on how good/not good you are with tools (or if you even have the tools already, or if you end up requiring new parts for something). Heavily suspect that it could quickly cost more then a 6 year old desktop in working condition.
posted by anaelith at 1:06 PM on April 3, 2007

WCityMike: Sounds like the OP has an ethernet connection coming straight in.

Ramenopres: If you've got an Ethernet connection coming straight into your room (ie maybe a dorm room or something), then you need a wifi base station. If you're paying for DSL or some other kind of broadband, then you'll need a wifi router. Either options are pretty damn cheap, especially if you shop around and go for budget brands. You've no need to buy them from your ISP. Go to your nearest discount electrical retailer, or shop online.
posted by humblepigeon at 1:15 PM on April 3, 2007

wifi routers are cheap, but you're looking at paying $80+ for the wireless card for it if you didn't get it when you bought the machine. I'd place money on anaelith's suggestion of the ethernet port physically failing. if you're pretty competent with laptop repairs, you could resolder it or replace the logic board - but if you're not, then that's not a good option; iBooks are a pain to get into and work around in. they do make USB wireless adapters and USB Ethernet adapters, which may be a better option. just make sure you get an OS X compatible one. (I couldn't find any USB Ethernet adapters on newegg that supported OS X, but I didn't look very hard.)
posted by mrg at 1:35 PM on April 3, 2007

The Ethernet(RJ-45) connector's internal connectors may be blocked/crimped/stuck. Take a look at this picture - see the little copper fingers sticking up in a row at the bottom? They should all be evenly high, and evenly spaced. If one or more are too low, try depressing them with something nonconductive (Plastic take-out knife?) and blast some contact cleaner in there to knock out whatever's stopping them from popping back up. If they are crooked, try gently nudging them back to their right place with aforementioned nonconductive item.
posted by Orb2069 at 2:28 PM on April 3, 2007

The display going black: If you're just losing light (That is, the screen image can be seen if you point a flashlight at the screen) I'd bet that your backlight cable is coming unplugged. It's located deep in the bowels of your machine (About somewhere under the 'K' key of your keyboard, I'd guess from the manual photographs.) and is a royale pain to get to. If you're losing the actual image, but the backlight stays on (Apple is lit), it might be the LVDS cable (somewhere around the X key.)

Dig online for a copy of the AppleCare manual for your machine: they're a PITA to dis/reassemble, but the instructions are straightforward. I usually print the instructions out and tape the screws/parts to the instructions where they're mentioned, so nothing gets mixed up or lost.

If it's not a loose plug, you're looking at either a backlight or a mainboard replacement, either of which means you're going to be grave-robbing off eBay, or it's going to be new-computer-for-you time soon. (Low End Mac says G3-500's are going for around $200.)
posted by Orb2069 at 3:05 PM on April 3, 2007

Heavily suspect that it could quickly cost more then a 6 year old desktop in working condition.

It's a laptop, hence the clamp thing. Sorry if that wasn't clear!

humblepigeon, yes, it's ethernet coming right into the room. I'm living in a dorm with wireless next year, so I was just wondering what my options were for the rest of this semester.
posted by ramenopres at 3:09 PM on April 3, 2007

(this sentence deleted on preview and confirmation of ethernet)

Re: Black display. You've got the classic G3 iBook logic board failure. Happened to mine, as well as hundereds, if not thousands, of others. The video card has developed an intermittant connection to the logic board. It's basically toast. I've managed to shim mine to keep it held in place - but it never works for more than a few weeks. There's some rather interesting fixes out there, but they're a little risky...

I know buying a new machine isn't on the plate, but is buying an old machine? Windows laptops are dirt cheap used (for a reason), and like Orb said, $200 ain't bad for an essentially equivalent computer, without the hardware problems yours has now.

I feel for you. I've been mired in the swamp of ibook hardware failure for almost a year now.
posted by god hates math at 3:19 PM on April 3, 2007

If it were my iBook I'd open it up and fix it myself. It's likely the ethernet jack needs to be resoldered to the board, and god hates math linked to the logic board issue, which is potentially fixable as well. If you don't have the skills to do those repairs you've got a few options. Pay someone to fix it which is almost certainly going to cost much more than the computer is worth. So find a friend into electronics and see if he's willing to do the work; give him beer or take him out to dinner. The last option is to buy another computer; used is going to be a much better value but be sure to buy locally and test the computer out first. I'd never buy a laptop off ebay.
posted by 6550 at 4:29 PM on April 3, 2007

Sorry, yes, I know you have a laptop now. I was vaguely suggesting that you get a desktop if it turns out to be cheaper then repairing your laptop. I completely understand the reasons why you would want/need a laptop so I won't get into the whole lecture (especially since it's not part of your question), just a recommendation that you reconsider your needs with the thought that laptops are short-lived and expensive when compared to desktops.
posted by anaelith at 7:21 PM on April 3, 2007