Powerbook G4 noises

F

fuzz

Registered
I have a problem with my Powerbook G4 and it's hard to describe. When my powerbook is plugged in, it makes a whining, static-like, fluctuating noise. I was very concerned that my hard drive was about to die. But it didn't sound like any other hard drives that I've had problems with. When I unplug the AC adapter, the noises go away. The hard drive doesn't make excessive noises. I ran Disk Utility and there weren't any problems. I backuped some files just in case. Has anyone had this problem before? Should I be concerned?

Additional info: when the laptop is plugged in, it makes more noise when I move around the cursor. When I stop moving it, it kinda stops one noise. It sounds like 2-3 noises. In the background is a spinning sound. In the foreground is a buzzing whining noise.
 
I've never heard of this before, and it doesn't happen with my PowerBook. I wonder if it could be your AC adapter, which was causing problems for some MacBook Pro users. Any chance that you could record this noise, or locate where it is coming from exactly?
 
I just noticed that this started happening recently. Looking at the link to the blog, I don't think the noise is from the hard drive. It seems to be coming from the right side of my laptop. It seems to coming from the upper right area of the keyboard, next to the power button. I can't tell for sure. Perhaps there's an electrical current leaking and it's make some interference noises????

I don't think this means that I need to replace my hard drive. I hope not. It doesn't seem to be my battery. The sound isn't coming from the AC adapter or the area next to the connection with the laptop.
 
Here's a picture of what's inside your PowerBook near there:
pb15rightfan.jpg


There are two things that could be making a big noise there: the speaker (if there's some kind of interference going on), or the fan. My money is on the fan. You could open the PowerBook up and see if something is in the way of the fan, or you many need a new fan.
Here's a replacement fan:
http://www.ifixit.com/cart/customer/product.php?productid=1869&cat=74&page=1

Here's a guide for replacing it:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBook-G4-Al-15-Inch-1-1-5-GHz-BT-1-1/Right-Fan

You could unplug the fan, and do a quick bootup (preferably with the case open, for cooling) to isolate the issue.

If you're still under AppleCare (1 yr complimentary, 3 yrs AppleCare), go through them.
 
eric2006 said:
Here's a picture of what's inside your PowerBook near there:
pb15rightfan.jpg


There are two things that could be making a big noise there: the speaker (if there's some kind of interference going on), or the fan. My money is on the fan. You could open the PowerBook up and see if something is in the way of the fan, or you many need a new fan.
Here's a replacement fan:
http://www.ifixit.com/cart/customer/product.php?productid=1869&cat=74&page=1

Here's a guide for replacing it:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBook-G4-Al-15-Inch-1-1-5-GHz-BT-1-1/Right-Fan

You could unplug the fan, and do a quick bootup (preferably with the case open, for cooling) to isolate the issue.

If you're still under AppleCare (1 yr complimentary, 3 yrs AppleCare), go through them.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the links. I'm probably going to go to the Apple store to see what they think is the problem. Replacing the fan on the 15" Aluminum G4 is actually very difficult! ( see: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBook-G4-Al-15-Inch-1-1-5-GHz-BT-1-1/Right-Fan)
 
Yup, opening up the 15" PowerBooks is not fun. I had to to fix a dent once, and it's not something that I'd like to repeat. That's why you'd want to see if they'll fix it under AppleCare first..
 
The instructions basically showed that to get to the fan, I'd have to disassemble almost everything else but the shell. As for Applecare, I've had this Powerbook since Apple came out with the G4 1.25 Mhz - 2002? It still runs pretty well. Our macs age well. I just pray that it will continue to last me a couple more years.
 
Yup, there's no way that you're covered by AppleCare if you bought it in 2002. At the Genius bar in the Apple Store, they can do everything short of opening it up for free. They see a lot of macs, so they can probably tell you what's wrong from experience. If you do pay them to repair it, it's at least $50 to open it, plus whatever they charge for the part..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top