In this video I work on my iBook G3 "Clamshell". This is the Indigo model with FireWire. It has a 366 MHz and 320 MB RAM (64 MB on-board and 256 MB module). The original battery has been refurbished with new cells and lasts a full 4-5 hours comfortably.
The laptop itself is in very good condition, although it has an odd power issue. It will only power on with power adapter disconnected and a combination of Option + Ctrl + Shift + Power. This particular combination of keys resets the PMU or Power Management Unit and needs to be performed with every start. After the laptop powers up, the power adapter can be connected and the laptop will start charging normally. I owned the laptop for several months before I discovered this trick to get it to power on, after which I was able to reinstall the OS and verify all other functions.
These iBooks were notorious for being difficult to tear down, but it turned out to be fairly straightforward as long as the numerous screws of various sizes are carefully tracked. After getting access to inspect the logic board, I discovered a leaking capacitor. Research suggested the leaking capacitor is a 0.33F "supercapacitor" responsible for PMU settings.
With no other indications of damage, I've done ahead and ordered a replacement capacitor online and have my fingers crossed that this will resolve the power issues. After having fully disassembled the unit and needing to order parts anyway, I also decided I would install an SSD.
Enjoy Part 1 and stay tuned for Part 2 next week after I install the replacement supercapacitor and upgrade the hard drive to an SSD.
🎵 Music
Sunbathers - Scandinavianz / scandinavianz
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_Sunbathers
Music promoted by Audio Library • Sunbathers - Scandinav...
Affiliated links below to some of the tools I use if you'd like to support the channel:
🖥 Composite and S-Video on my Mac
USB Capture Card: amzn.to/2YM4TT7
(Catalina 64-bit drivers can be found on the manufacturer's website)
🔧 Toolkit
Screwdriver Set: amzn.to/2X7s0Gj
Automatic Wire Stripper: amzn.to/30F5TJm
Component Tester: amzn.to/3l5rHG8
🖌 Soldering Essentials
TS100 Soldering Iron: amzn.to/2YIJZUR
No Clean Flux Syringe: amzn.to/2NFUZvQ
No Clean Solder: amzn.to/2NHEAqQ
Desoldering Braid: amzn.to/312Grws
🔍 Soldering Add-ons
Tip Tinner: amzn.to/31w2EF4
Helping Hands Soldering Aid: amzn.to/3ihgksP
Heat Shrink Tubing: amzn.to/31wGq4b
🔥 Thermal Compounds
Arctic MX-4 Thermal Paste: amzn.to/2Ak2y8w
1.5MM Arctic Thermal Pads: amzn.to/2Vv1RQU