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PowerBook G4 17 inch 1.0GHz -> 1.33GHz

This page describes how to upgrade/convert a 1.0GHz 17inch PowerBook into a 1.33GHz PowerBook. After initially trying to repair a faulty 1.0 GHz logic board1) it seemed to make more sense to replace it with a logic board from a faster model. (With the advantage of a Gb network instead of 100 Mb.) The replacement of the logic board inhibited a few other components which needed to be replaced as well. Because prices on Ebay and other dealers like ifixit are reasonable it's much better than repairing a computer with a multilayer circuit board which would take considerable time and painstaking efforts, especially because it's lacking schematic diagrams. Added to that, after searching the internet a lot, it seemed that the mainboard (Apple calls it logic board) from the 1.0GHz model seemed to suffer quite frequently from the same problem anyway, which was another good reason not to repair this, and instead replace it.

PowerBook models

Searching the internet for more information about differences between the two models revealed a service manual from Apple, titled “PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz) 16 September 2003”2). On page 2 it mentions some information, but not all. The real differences are:

PowerBook 1.0 GHz PowerBook 1.33 GHz
Flex cable compatibility
The correct flex cables should have the word “POWERBOOK G4 17“ 1.33GHz ONLY.” or “POWERBOOK G4 17” 1.33 GHz& 1.5 GHz”, as the 1.5 GHz version was not yet on the market by then, but Apple kept the same layout with the 1.5 GHz version.
No L3 cache
L3 cache is not used on this system. So unlike the previous model, there is no blue thermal pad on the logic board facing the keyboard.
Thermal module interface
Thermal gel is now used on the ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 graphics chip as well as the Intrepid chip. The thermal module is different from the previous 17-inch PowerBook. It has a different interface feature for the graphics chip and now has three heat pipes instead of one.

Ordering parts

The information showed us, we would need two special flexcables and another thermal module interface. Therefore I ordered following parts at usedmac.com:

  • 1 x 922-6065 G4 Aluminum 17“ Sound Cable (1.33GHz & 1.5GHz) only. (Note that the “1.33 GHz only” and the “1.33 GHz & 1.5 GHz ” are exactly the same cable)
  • 1 x 922-6066 PB G4 17” Aluminum 1.33/1.5/1.67 GHz Modem Flex Cable
  • 1 x 922-6208 PowerBook G4 Al 17“ Heat Sink & Fan (1.33GHz & 1.5GHz)
  • Sound board for 1.33 GHz version. See below.
  • Modem board for 1.33 GHz version. See below.

It was difficult to find proper replacement thermal conductive material. Roughly measured, the distance between the processor and thermal module was about 0.8mm. The Intrepid 2 and graphics chip should use thermal conductive gel. After a long search on the internet, I choose following material:

Replacing logic board

After using proper thermal conductive material, I transferred the 1.33 GHz logic board to the new thermal module interface. I noticed both the modem flexcable and the sound board cable showed different pin layouts. Without checking further I replaced the cables, and switched on the PowerBook. Unfortunately some smoke came out of the flex cable connector at the sound board. After removing the sound board cable again, the rest still seemed to work fine.

PowerBook differences

To solve the problem with the sound board, I needed more information about differences.

A scan of both flexcables and sound boards revealed the following (click images for details. Pin 1 is marked with a 'V'):

1.0 GHz 1.33 GHz
Sound Board Sound Board
Sound Board 1.0 GHz Sound Board 1.33 GHz
Sound Board bottom 1.0 GHz Sound Board bottom 1.33 GHz
Sound Board flexcable 1.0 GHz Sound Board flexcable 1.33 GHz
Sound Board flexcable 1.0 GHz Sound Board flexcable 1.33 GHz
logic board ← (pin layout) → sound board logic board ← (pin layout) → sound board
3-6 ↔ 1-4 3 ↔ 1
1+2 ↔ 5+6 2+5+24+27 ↔ 2+5+24+27
8 ↔ 7 1 ↔ 3
30 ↔ 8 30 ↔ 8
28 ↔ 9 29 ↔ 6
24 ↔ 10 28 ↔ 7
21+23+25+27 ↔ 11+15+18+23 26 ↔ 8
20 ↔ 12 21+22 ↔ 9+10
18 ↔ 13 20 ↔ 11
17 ↔ 14 16-19 ↔ 12-15
15 ↔ 16 10-15 ↔ 16-21
16 ↔ 17 23 ↔ 22
19 ↔ 19 25 ↔ 23
22 ↔ 20 4 ↔ 25
26 ↔ 21 6 ↔ 26
29 ↔ 22 7 ↔ 28
7 ↔ 24 8 ↔ 29
9-14 ↔ 25-30 9 ↔ 30

Logic board differences

From differences between both sound board flex cables, it was obvious the pin out around the sound board connector at the main board has differences. From a quick view at the 1.33GHz logic board for pins which carry power lines, it seems the (marked with a sticker showing PBG4 17“ 1.33GHz&1.5GHz) flex cable3) pin out is correctly adapted at the logic board side. However, using this flex cable to connect to the 1.0 GHz sound board4), the connections can not be correct. For example pins 12-15 at the 1.33GHz flex cable sound board side, carrying 5.0V, would make connection with the 1.0 GHz sound board at pin 15, which is GND. This explains the initial smoke, which melted some plastic at this pin.

Schematic diagram 1.0 GHz PowerBook

The term schematic diagram is an exaggeration, but it shows in more detail the connections at the 1.0 GHz PowerBook specifically around the connection between sound board and logic board.
Please see the pdf file for my drawings.

PowerBook 1.0 GHz G4 Video Circuit

The video graphics controller is a GeForce4 MX. This chip exists in four variants:

Graphic Controller System clock Memory clock
GeForce 4 MX 420 250 166 SDR
GeForce 4 MX 440 270 200 DDR
GeForce 4 MX 460 300 275 DDR

Other computers with the GeForce4 graphics controller are:

Pinout DVI

See following link: DVI-connector

Connections

Spot 1 Function Spot 2
DVI-connector, P.1 TMDS DATA0- SIL1162 (U55) P.35
1)
The internal display did not work despite the presence of background light.
3)
part number FOXCONN 821-0313-A, 632-02390A
4)
part number 820-1373-A
projects/repair/powerbook_g4_17_1ghz/index.txt · Last modified: 2009/02/23 14:17 by admin