Troubleshooting Trackpads, Flat Rate Screen Replacement, New TiBook Hinges, and More

Charles Moore - 2005.03.24

Troubleshooting Intermittent PowerBook G4 (2/05) Trackpad Issues

NEWS: A new Apple Knowledge Base Article says:

"If you find that the trackpad cursor on your PowerBook G4 (12-inch 1.5 GHz), PowerBook G4 (15-inch 1.67/1.5 GHz), or PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.67 GHz) temporarily stops tracking or behaves erratically, try the following steps to resolve the issue.

"1. Make sure you test all parts of the trackpad surface and be sure you're using just one finger. Multiple fingers could cause erratic behavior.

"2. Reset the trackpad by placing your entire palm directly onto the whole trackpad for 3 to 4 seconds, and then remove your hand from the trackpad in one smooth motion.

"In most cases, trackpad operation will return to normal. If so, this resolution should work if you ever see the issue again. Apple is aware of this issue and is investigating.

"This document will be updated as more information becomes available."

MacResQ Flat Rate PowerBook LCD Replacement Program

PR: MacResQ has announced a new PowerBook Flat-Rate LCD replacement service as part of their PowerBookResQ repair program. The new service offers Apple PowerBook and iBook owners a quick and easy way to fix the display on their G4 PowerBook or iBook with PowerBookResQ's premier service and nationwide convenience.

The price for the flat-rate LCD replacement starts at $399, and includes a PowerBox sent to the customer's location in the continental U.S. via overnight courier to pickup the laptop for overnight delivery back to the PowerBookResQ service center. PowerBookResQ will receive the laptop, install a NEW (not refurbished) LCD within 24 hours, and return the laptop back to the customer overnight. Additionally, the LCD is installed by an Apple Certified Technician and there are no core charges or other charges even for broken or damaged LCD's. To get started, customers simply call 1-866-Mac-Repair or visit <http://www.powerbookresq.com>. For customers in Alaska, Hawaii, or any other international location the service is provided at a nominal additional cost to cover additional shipping expenses.

"In response to a changing market, we have developed a new LCD screen repair program that offers our customers complete assurance of the repair quote and turnaround time. We have been offering 24-Hour PowerBook repair services for years, and we have repaired thousands of PowerBooks and iBooks. This premier service is the next evolution in our line of repair programs and will include a NEW LCD, not a used or refurbished LCD as other companies are installing" said Ryan Arter, President of MacResQ. "Our reputation and experience allows us to continually provide the best repair services in the market today."

For computer resellers and repair centers, PowerBookResQ offers discounted rates on products and services. Computer dealers can send overflow service work or seamlessly outsource their entire PowerBook repair operation. Volume discounts are available for schools, corporations and government agencies.

New PowerBook Titanium G4 Hinge Assembly

PR: This is a brand new right & left hinge assembly set for the PowerBook G4 Titanium. These are the same hinges that Apple uses. These hinges work on all of the PowerBook G4 Titanium models.

Note: You have the option to buy just the hinges, or you can buy a complete hinge repair kit which includes:

• Set of Right and Left Hinges
• QuickSet Epoxy
• 2 Plastic Spring Loaded Clamps
• Torx T8 Tool
• Torx T6 Tool
• Take Apart Manual on CD

The complete hinge repair kit is a $60 value for $30.

• Right and Left Hinge Kit
• Left Hinge Kit
• Right Hinge Kit

NewerTech High-capacity Batteries for 14" iBooks

PR: Other World Computing and Newer Technology, Inc. have announced availability of NuPower high-capacity replacement batteries for all 14" iBook G3 and G4 models.

The new 59 Watt Hour battery model is available for $119.99 and provides up to 12 percent more capacity than the original Apple stock battery. At $139.99, the 71 Watt Hour model provides up to 29 percent more capacity.

"It's a great thing to have products that really help make existing computers better than new," said Larry O'Connor, president of OWC. "Providing the highest capacity batteries that extend the time people can spend on their iBooks without being tethered to the wall is a great way to do that."

As with all NuPower batteries, the 14-inch iBook-compatible models are built in the United States using premium Li-Ion cells manufactured in Japan and/or Canada. By using only the best components and building them in the U.S., NewerTech is able to ensure that its batteries run longer at full charge and last longer compared to other batteries built to lesser standards. The high-quality cells also allow for more charge cycles than other batteries, and stringent quality control measures ensure the batteries are built to last.

"Apple builds the best laptops in the world and they are built to last," O'Connor said. "When all that's wrong with an otherwise great laptop is a diminished battery runtime, an upgrade to an even longer lasting and longer running NuPower battery is just the ticket. It's great to have a spare too, so you can spend even more time unplugged."

NewerTech's full line of the highest capacity Apple PowerBook, iBook, and iPod replacement batteries available can be purchased through OWC and other fine retailers.

APC Ergonomic Notebook Stand with 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub

PR: APC Ergonomic Notebook Stand with USB 2.0 Hub offers four extra USB ports and ergonomic positioning for notebook computers used in a desktop environment.

Technical Specifications

Physical

• Maximum height 4.80 inches ( 12.19 cm )
• Maximum width 11 inches ( 27.94 cm )
• Maximum depth 11.80 inches ( 29.97 cm )
• Net weight 2.40 lbs. ( 1.09 kg )
• Conformance: Approvals FCC Part 15 Class B
• Standard warranty 1 year repair or replace

Features:

• 360 degree swivel capability
• Allows for notebook cooling
• Compatible with any notebook
• Folding notebook retainer
• Integrated 4-port USB 2.0 hub

APC Ergonomic Notebook Stand has a street price of about $90.

12" PowerBook Screen Replacement Tutorial

NEWS: powerbook-fr.com's Vincent (ch-vox) has posted an illustrated tutorial (in French on replacing the display in a 12" PowerBook.

"Cette page est un complément au démontage du PowerBook 12" (c'est par ici pour lui changer le disque dur).

"Il arrive parfois que l'on ait besoin de démonter le caport de sa machine à cause de rayures/chocs (échange de capot), d'infiltrations diverses, ou pour vérifier la connectivité des antennes intégrées (Airport). Nous vous proposons donc dans ce didactitiel de comprendre comment démonter votre écran (ici un 12") simplement et sans laisser de trace.

"Pour cette manipulation, il vous faudra un tournevis HEX de 1,5 mm (forme héxagonale à tête ronde) et un outil en plastique fin (tournevis en nylon ou carte en plastique dur)."

The following BabelFish translation is pretty rough:

"This page is a complement with the disassembling of PowerBook 12" (it is by changing the hard disk here to him).

"It happens sometimes that one needs to dismount the caport his machine because of rayures/chocs (exchange of cap), of various infiltrations, or to check the connectivity of the integrated antennas (AirPort). We thus propose to you in this didactitiel [article?] to include/understand how to dismount your screen (here one 12") simply and without leaving of trace.

"For this handling, it will be necessary a screwdriver HEX of 1,5 mm (the shape héxagonale with round head) and a fine plastic tool for you (nylon screwdriver or hard plastic chart).

Use the BabelFish translator to translate the whole page using this URL: http://www.powerbook-fr.com/pbg4/demontage/alu12/index2.html

Apple Motion Sensor as a Human Interface Device

NEWS: Amit Singh says:

"I described the working of the Apple Motion Sensor (AMS), a feature of the PowerBook line of computers, in a previous document called 'The PowerBook Sudden Motion Sensor'. As I noted earlier, my original reason for investigating the AMS was to fabricate some interesting programming examples for my forthcoming book on Mac OS X internals. The discussion of the AMS generated a substantial amount of interest - perhaps more than I had expected. It is quite interesting to observe how one's fantasy is tickled by abnormal ways of doing the normal.....

"I had also mentioned other ways in which the AMS could be employed, such as for scrolling in applications and for input in video games. The latter was constantly brought up in the feedback I received from "the Internet". Apparently many owners of AMS-equipped PowerBooks wish to experience physical motion-based gaming.

"The games most suitable for being played using the AMS would be those that wholly or primarily require directional input. The x and y components of the AMS orientation data can be mapped to the motion of a mouse in a 2D plane, or to specific keys (say, the arrow keys) on a keyboard. Thus, it is conceptually straightforward, both for the programmer and the end-user, to use the AMS as a human interface device (HID)."

Hacking the Shakes into Your Apple

NEWS: redhanded.hobix.com's why in cult says:

"Your laptop can move in all of these directions.

"Within the past week, a couple fellows around the web have started scripting the accelerometer couched in Apple PowerBook hard drives, giving the effect of a three-dimensional motion sensor....

"Joey DeVilla has further challenged the scripting world to turn the PowerBook into an Etch-A-Sketch......"

Celetronix Announces 36-Watt EOS Brand External Power Supply

PR: Celetronix USA, Inc., a maker of ultra miniature, high efficiency power supplies, has announced its new L-Series LVC36 external power supply adapter.

The LVC36 is part of Celetronix's premier EOS brand of power products. The LVC adapter is available in 4 models ranging from 30 watts to 36 watts and in popular voltage outputs of 12V, 15V, 19V and 24V. The desktop power supply is the size of a miniature cell phone measuring 1.75 x 3.5 x 0.92" (about 30% smaller than industry leading competitors) and weighs just 5 oz. or one-half industry competitors. LVC36 also has a power efficiency rating of over 80% insuring efficient conversion of AC wall power to DC power for driving a product's semiconductors, power converters, hard disk drives, displays, fans, LEDs and related components.

Its small form factor and high efficiency make the power supply well suited for a broad range of applications including portable computing and electronics, wireless systems, audio/video, point of sale terminals, bar code readers, multimedia and gaming systems and desktop, workgroup and enterprise IT and telecommunications products. All Celetronix external power adapters are certified as compliant to Energy Star specifications for high efficiency and environmental standards established by the US Department of Energy's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"Celetronix L-Series power adapters meet the industry's demand for small size and high efficiency at a competitive price from a proven supplier," said James B. Schultz, Vice President and GM of Celetronix Power Products Division. "We have designed and shipped millions of power adapters to the world's leading computing companies for years," Schultz said. "That same packaging and low cost solution is now available to design engineers of products across the entire spectrum of industrial and consumer electronics markets."

Celetronix has tested the LVC with several beta site and early adopter users and has shipped since November over 30,000 production units to a handful of customers in Europe and North America. The product is available for sampling now and is in mass production.

The L-Series LVC36 adapter is available for ordering today with deliveries 8 weeks from order. Suggested retail pricing for low volume demand starts at $23.90. High volume pricing is ranked among the best in the industry. The LVC series meets all major industry safety specifications and has a reliability rating of over 100,000 hours mean time between failure.

LVC36 power adapters are part of Celetronix's EOS brand of products joining the widely sold Z-Series of external adapters ranging in power from 20 watts to 90 watts and industry leading V-Series open frame power supplies ranging from 40 watts to 200 watts. The EOS family of power supplies and adapters are available through a network of manufacturing representatives and distributors worldwide.

Windows Watch

Diamond Studded Laptop from Tulip

NEWS: diamonds.net's Ketan Tanna reports:

"If you already own a diamond studded writing pen and diamond decorated MP3 player, there is a new toy to add to your collection.

"The Tulip E-Go Diamond laptop, studded with hundreds of diamonds and embedded with a pair of tulip logos, offers many different design combinations for the design-conscience techie. The price tag is about $378,856 (GBP 197,000.)

"Tulip Computer's E-Go lifestyle designs include zebra skin, leather, wood, and tulips. The leather version has a polished wooden handle. Shape-wise they're extremely similar to Apple Inc.'s classic clam-like G3 iBook. This new lineup of customizable portable computers will go on sale in October 2005."

Bargain 'Books

Bargain 'Books are used unless otherwise indicated. New and refurbished units have a one-year Apple warranty and are eligible for AppleCare.

There are two different versions of WallStreet running at 233 MHz, the cacheless MainStreet version and the later Series II with a level 2 cache. It's not always possible to determine from the vendor's listing which is being offered, so we've included links within this paragraph to the two models. The same goes for the PowerBook G4/667 (VGA) and G4/667 (DVI), the titanium vs. aluminum 15" PowerBook G4 at 1 GHz, and 1.25 GHz to 1.5 GHz 15" PowerBooks.

• 12" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 256/60/SuperDrive, $1,299.88

• 12" PowerBook G4/867, 512/40/Combo, $879
• 15" PowerBook G4/550, 256/20/DVD, $679
• 15" PowerBook G4/667, 512/30/Combo, $825

• 12" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 768/40/Combo, $1,199
• 15" PowerBook G4/400, 384/10/DVD, $549
• 15" PowerBook G4/550, 768/30/DVD, $699
• 15" PowerBook G4/550, 256/30/Combo, $699
• 15" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 512/60/SuperDrive, $1,399

• 15" PowerBook G4/550, 1G024/20/Combo, $749.49

• 15" PowerBook G4/667, 256/30/Combo, SVGA video, TechRestore 6 Month Warranty, $899.99

Wegener Media

• PowerBook Pismo G3/400, 128/10, $499.99
• PowerBook Pismo G3/400, 256/40, $649.99
• PowerBook Pismo G3/500, 128/10, $549.99
• PowerBook Pismo G3/500, 256/40, $699.99
• PCMCIA wireless card with purchase of Pismo, $10
• Add an AirPort wireless card, $89.99
• G4/550 MHz upgrade card (with purchase of Pismo), $249.99

For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see our Best PowerBook G4 Deals, Best iBook G4 Deals, Best PowerBook G3 Deals, and Best iBook G3 Deals.