Ask The Mac Techie

[edals]

hey mate, got an 15" Powerbook that has served me well for a long while, but i think its had its day, turn it on and the cd drive makes its sound along with the mac startup sound, but then nothing happens, there is a slight buzing (whether thats the fan or hardrive turning, not sure)

ive already gone n bought a new 15" macbook pro, but all i want to know is, is the old one dead? or will i still be able to get all my work/photos off it somehow? even if it means destroying the computer itself, not too fussed, just want all my stuff from it...

Hey Mate, If the Machine still chimes thats a good start. But i would say either the LCD or Video chip has failed on it.
Since it still chimes it should still act as a computer.
So if you dont have a firewire 800-800 cable, Go buy one. Cheap as.
So now you have a firewire cable. Plug the 2 computers together via the Firewire 800 ports.
Turn on your macbook pro to the desktop.
Next the second you hear your old power book turn on, Press and hold the T Key down for a good 30 seconds. This enables Target Disk mode. Your drive should now appear on the desktop of your macbook pro
If it don't then we will need to remove the drive from it, i can help you with that easy enough even for a rookie.

 

[HarmlessMuffinMan]

Example Apples Guides Here.
iMac 24" LCD
Acceptable Number of Subpixel Anomalies
Bright up to 8
Dark up to 10
Both up to 15

MacBook 13"
Acceptable Number of Subpixel Anomalies
Bright up to 3
Dark up to 5
Both up to 7

With the Latter machines such as the 27" iMacs etc, We are now required to contact our Apple technical support team direct on the matter for them to investigate if the screen needs replacement or not depending on how many pixels there are. Its no longer a set rule or a chart to go by.
Dont try and tell me what is Apple's "acceptable" rule is on there "22" Screen that was Discontinued January 2003

Every manufacture has some kind of rules, weather its None or 15.
Good that Samsung have a 0 Tolerance on the matter. Never had a bad samsung screen yet.

Yeah I should have checked when that was origionaly posted (about the tollerance)
Samsung make the best monitors. Dell monitors are good too. So are great walls (Also 0 tolerance but they use Samsung pannels... So yeah)

3 - 7 on a 13"? Thats a bit harsh...

 

[Troyziee]

cheers mate, just went out and bought the cable, though no luck i dont think, just to double check, i have the macbook pro sitting at desktop, then i switch the powerbook on and as soon as it chimes i hold down the T key (on the powerbook) for 30seconds?

i dont need to hold control T or command T or anything? or on the other computer?

 

[edals]

Na, Just have your new macbok pro on, Then Connect the cables 800-800, then turn on the old power book, then Just hold T Only.
Also try holding down T before turning it on then wait 30 seconds or so. failing that try a external USB Keyboard and try again.
Failing that would have to remove the drive. Then you will need a ATA adapter to USB to read the drive.
Let me know.

 

[Troyziee]

no good mate, tried it about 20times with nothing.... and dont have access to a usb keyboard.

where do you get the ATA adaptor from? is it something an absolute computer tech novice can do? once ive got my work off there ill destroy the old hard drive and computer so doesnt bother me how hacked up it gets

 

[Astranomical]

Just about any decent computer shop should sell them. Don't bother with a place like Hardly Normal/Good Guys/etc, but any shop that specialises in PC sales/repair/etc should have them in stock, or be able to get one in for you.

 

[Troyziee]

i need any certain size/adaptor? or just ask for a ATA to USB adaptor?

 

[edals]

Thats what you want there mate. You can plug the ATA drive into the 2.5" ATA, then Just USB to your mac. Can get them for $30 odd bucks
Heres a how to on taking your machine apart.
Powerbook G4 15in Alum Take-Apart

You may need to go to jaycar and buy a small screw driver set that has small 00 + and small Hex Bits

 

[Troyziee]

all done, massive thanks to edals, your a legend mate.

bit of piss farting around, went computer shop yesterday, though didnt know which type of pin the harddrive was, so took the computer down with my this morning and got the cable.
then got home, got to work unscrewing it all, then needed to go find a small set if hex head screw peices. but once that was out very easy to get everything off!

also unsrewed the cd drive to get a cd out that would not eject!

 

[edals]

No Worries mate glad to help