ETA: DISCLAIMER
It seems that there are a lot of PB owners faced with similar issues. Of course, if you have AppleCare or if your PB is under warranty, then I would not suggest removing your trackpad’s temperature sensor in the manner detailed here. If you do decide to remove it, then you do so at your own risk.
Rock and Nugget bought me a 17″ PowerBook for Mother’s Day two years ago. Yesterday, it’s symptomatic narcolepsy started. I read about it on the Internet and I hoped that my PowerBook would be spared. I stopped hoping when my PowerBook started it’s narcoleptic fits during a heavy debugging session.
“Are you sure it’s not the motherboard?”*
“Positive. It’s not crashing — just going into sleep mode every five seconds.”
“What about temps?”
“It’s not running hot. Anyway, I ran an fsck and got a ‘emergency overtemp signal’ message. I did reset the PMU and I’m NOT going to mess around with the kernel source or other extensions tonight.”
“Sounds like you need a Plan B.”
“That’s not an option. I need this to work — now.”
“We could get you a MacBook.”
“No. I need to remove the trackpad’s temperature sensor.”
“What?”
“Look, it’s not under warranty anymore and I don’t have AppleCare. Only a few people on the Internet had the balls to remove it and their PowerBooks are working just fine now.”
“You got balls, then.”
“Let’s do it.”
*Rock is more of a PC guy, but I love him anyway. The only Mac-related stuff he deals with are iTunes, iPod, and QuickTime.
Rock was keen to use his soldering iron to remove the “faulty” temperature sensor, so I gave him the honors. Me? I would’ve clipped the damn thing off with cuticle nippers.
ETA: If you use either nail clippers or cuticle nippers, be sure you read Andreas’ and Sarah’s surgical advice in the comments below!
Here’s Rock going under the hood of my PowerBook and in the background you’ll see my RAM sticks, a clipboard with my PowerBook’s screws taped on the top sheet, and my trusty old iBook.
ETA: I edited the above photo and outlined the area of the trackpad’s temperature sensor which is underneath the top case. Rock is holding the top case in his hands while checking out the logic board.
Underneath the trackpad is the sensor that Rock will remove. Click here for a close-up.
Rock used his soldering iron to remove the sensor and a small screwdriver (3/32) to carefully pry it off the ribbon cable. The soldering iron is much larger than what he should be using, but it worked.
Here, the temperature sensor is removed and the area is now covered with a bit of tape (not shown).
ETA: I didn’t have orange mylar tape covering the sensor as most PB owners observed before conducting their surgery. We snipped a bit of tape from another area of the top case (see second photo from top) and used it to cover the vacant solder pads as advised by Bill.
And just for kicks, here’s the sensor on a dime for scale.
Prognosis? My beloved PowerBook is on full recovery and doing well. He sleeps only when I want him to :)
Got a sleepy PowerBook and the cojones to fix it? Here’s the skinny on the who and the how:
- Rick Cameron’s blog post, The Bug Exposed, by Bill
- Sai’s Flickr Page, Narcoleptic Powerbook
- Wolf Schweitzer’s article, Powerbook G4 narcolepsy issues – Trackpad Temperature Sensor Defective [tech rant]
Helpful links to take your PowerBook apart:
- http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/ (for help in removing the top case)
- http://www.powerbookmedic.com/Manuals/17-inch-powerbook-manual.pdf (for help in disconnecting that tiny trackpad ribbon clamp)
Links to successful surgeons:
- Molly’s Flickr Page, Curing a Narcoleptic 15″ 2005 Aluminum Powerbook G4
- Sarah’s blog post, Narcoleptic Powerbook
ETA: (20.Feb.08) If you’re wondering … I haven’t installed Leopard on my PB yet simply because (1) I didn’t want to pay the Euro rate to upgrade the OS and (2) the Red Vests (employees) and the crowd at Vogelweh’s PowerZone annoy the hell out of me. When I’m not feeling so reclusive, I’ll venture out someday.
ETA: (01.May.2008) All is well with the (PB – sensor) + Leopard! I’m quite pleased :)
107 responses so far ↓
Belinda // 11.14.2007 at 21:01 |
LOL I’m not going to show Chris this post because then he’s going to be going around trying to solder stuff =o\ Glad your stuff’s on the mend though! My laptop’s about to kick the bucket soonish. The screen is flickering and I’m pretty sure that’s not good for the eyes!
ladyoftheloom // 11.15.2007 at 01:29 |
oooo, I love watching surgery!
Dina // 11.25.2007 at 16:26 |
Belinda: Oh, my … men and tools. It can be a scary combo, huh? Sorry to hear about your screen, but you’ll replace it with a kick-ass laptop, no?
ladyoftheloom: This surgery, I can watch and handle … anything else on the TV will chase me out of the livingroom ;)
Alex // 12.13.2007 at 15:00 |
I am wondering if it would not be easier to replace the top-case. From the photos it is not clear if the sensor is on the logic / mother board or the top-case. I am hoping that replacing the top-case will solve my sleepy book.
Nicolas // 12.14.2007 at 16:39 |
I had the same problem. Tried all the software solutions (disable extension, reset pmu, reset vram). At first, they seemed to work. I had like 6 months of use from my powerbook, but the narcolepsy returned. Tried everything again, but this time, nothing worked (this happened just after I upgraded to Leopard, don’t know if there’s a relation).
So, I tried the surgery. Now, everything is working fine again.
Dina // 12.15.2007 at 00:01 |
Alex: I didn’t have time to go on the hunt for a new top case and I also didn’t have AppleCare. Of course, my husband’s offer to buy a new MacBook (or MacBook Pro) the next day was deliciously tempting, I really just wanted the sleepy PB to stay awake long enough for me to finish my assignment :)
In the first photo, my husband is holding the top case in his hands while looking at the logic board. The sensor is located underneath the top case. I annotated the first photo and added an ETA to this post to avoid further confusion.
Best of luck to you and please let me know if a new top case keeps your PB awake!
Nicolas: You definitely did more on the software side! I just wanted to nip this thing in the bud … and it was very late in the night when my sleepy PB wouldn’t stay awake (bad pun? Or bad coincidence?).
Good to know all is well with your PB, mine is doing just fine. I haven’t updated to Leopard yet, but if the update was related to your PBs narcolepsy, at least I don’t have to worry about my PB nodding off on me anymore — that sensor is gone — and we can no longer find it, BTW. It might’ve succumbed to the Hoover the next morning … or one of the cats. Hmm….
Andreas // 01.06.2008 at 20:54 |
Yes, yes, yes! I’ve done it! Thanks for your instructions! I’ve found that the hardest part is the disassembly of the PowerBook (15 inch Aluminum) and not the removing of the temperature sensor…
You do not even need to solder it away: It’s enough to cut the two legs on the one side of the chip with a nailcutter! And then just bend it back and forth so that the other three legs on the other side of the chip will just break apart with clean cuts. (That’s better possible on the 15 inch modell than on the 17 inch modell shown here)
Dina // 01.07.2008 at 14:58 |
Andreas: Cheers to hear all is well with your PB now!
We had some issues trying to disconnect the ribbon clamp because of it’s tiny size — even for my small hands. I also had my cuticle nippers ready for snipping, but Rock was so eager to use his soldering iron for something that I let him go for it :)
Alex // 01.25.2008 at 12:13 |
I can’t believe how difficult it is to order spare parts for Apple hardware. My Powerbook was having the same problem and I figured rather then being overly adventurous and remove the sensor to rather replace the entire top case.
Seeing that my beloved mac is past it’s warrenty period, I might as well fix it myself. However searching online for spare parts, in particular a top case for a 17″ 1.6Ghz model has not produced the success I hoped for. There are many shops online which gladly fix the problem for me for £200.00 exlucding VAT, or at £80 per hour. This would also mean that I have send the powerbook away and wait for 3 weeks while some technician has his way with it.
How much simpler would it be if Apple sold spare parts to the general public. Most users would go to a “qualified technician” in any case, but there are some of us who would rather do it themselves.
Thanks for you post though. It has been very helpful.
Alex
Dina // 01.26.2008 at 15:18 |
Alex: I was thinking the same thing about Apple parts and how ridiculous, if not an inconvenience, it would be to give up the PB for repairs. Now I wonder, having already removed the sensor, how much the Apple tech here in K-town would charge for parts and labor (also excluding VAT).
If anything goes wrong with the PB again, I do hope that Rock’s offer to buy me a new Mac is still open … that MacBook Air makes me swoon. I wonder if they’ll release a Pro version (fingers crossed)?
sapo // 02.18.2008 at 16:42 |
Are planning the surgery this week.
Just one thing, after you remove the sensor, is it necessary to cover with tape?
Dina // 02.18.2008 at 17:34 |
Sapo: Yes! According to Rick Cameron’s post, the tape is necessary to prevent shorts with the mother board. My sensor wasn’t covered with mylar tape, so we snipped a bit of it from another area of the top case (see second photo from top).
Good luck and hope all goes well :)
Sarah // 02.20.2008 at 15:20 |
Thank you a million times for publishing this! I finally got so fed up with my PowerBook I did the surgery after reading your very descriptive post for the second or third time. I used cuticle nippers to cut the darn thing out, it was very cathartic! A note to anyone else who decides on the cuticle clippers, make sure you cut the legs really far down close to the ribbon – I had some errant legs that shorted out the computer a bit and it wouldn’t boot, even when they were covered with lots of tape. I think they may have been touching under the tape which would explain it, but I can’t confirm since I don’t see that well! Trimmed down and retaped and everything is working great, knock on wood!
Thanks again!!
Dina // 02.20.2008 at 15:45 |
Sarah: Thank you and I’m glad to hear that your PB is working great! Believe me, I know and understand the pain you went through with your PB. I’m also happy that this post helped you conduct that dreaded, but necessary surgery. Cathartic, yes, I totally agree!
I’ll make sure and link the post to your comments with the clippers!
Cheers!
Molly // 02.25.2008 at 00:01 |
Thanks for posting this excellent guide. My 2005 15″ aluminum Powerbook developed this problem a couple of weeks ago, and after trying every other solution I could find, your blog helped me work up the nerve to remove the broken part.
My Powerbook seems to be working fine now!
Here are some more photos:
http://flickr.com/photos/mollyf/sets/72157603976242622/
Dina // 02.29.2008 at 01:32 |
Molly: I’m very glad to hear that your PB is working fine! It really is a difficult decision to make, but I really could not think of any other reason to not pull out that sensor … and although my husband claims that I have my Crazy Lady moments, he says this was not one of them.
Great photoset! I will add your Flickr link to the post :)
Take care!
Kev // 03.31.2008 at 00:37 |
I appreciate everyone in the mac-community for sharing all of their problems and solutions online. Like everyone else here, my PB began exhibiting strange sleep patterns over the last few weeks. Since I mainly use this laptop for surfing and email these days I chalked it up to my old and lagging battery. I went to purchase the new NIN album the other day and while trying to download, it kept “nodding off”. After trying to reset the power mgmt and fsking I knew I had a big problem. I started googling all day yesterday afternoon and finally stumbled upon a solution that made sense. Surgery (um, there’s NO way I’m messing with the kernal). It was almost midnight when I came upon Rick’s Cameron’s website so I put things off until morning. I got up bright and early and gathered up cuticle cutters, a computer tool kit (wrist strap, mini screw drivers, needle nose pliers) and setup my macbook so I could navigate between Rick’s site and also the links he has listed on how to remove the upper case. Everything went well and the entire ordeal took maybe 35 min. The hardest part was fighting with some of the screws that were in the case a little too tightly. I even lost one in the process so I would advise anyone doing this to make sure they are working on a clear, clean, flat surface. It’s been 7 hours and my PB hasn’t once dozed off. Again, thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences (good or bad). I know my PB is nearly 3 years old, but I am not even close to being ready to part with it. Shame on Apple for turning their backs on what is an obvious defect in the aluminum Powerbook.
Christopher // 04.02.2008 at 02:48 |
hey, i have almost the same problem, i have a powerbook g4 aluminium 1.25ghz its an earlier model, in this PB the trackpad sensor is not on the top case under the keyboard, i already check it a lot of times, if anyone knows were is the dam temp sensor on my PB i realy be very thanksful…
ah i mean with almost the same because of it( the sensor just for that).
sapo // 04.04.2008 at 08:18 |
Surgery complete!
Mac is awake, and has not been sleeping since. Soldered off the litte trouble-maker. ahhh…..freedom.
Thanks for a great guide!
Leon // 04.06.2008 at 19:45 |
Hi Dina,
it seems that your surgery is the last chance for me to get my powerbook fixed. While im writing this my pb is shutting down every five seconds.
Im just curious if your powerbook had any problems since you did the surgery to it?
If not, im willing to do the surgery too.
Im very glad that you posted a detailed instruction on your site…this is gonna be very helpful for all the norcoleptic ones out there.
With kind regards.
Leon
Dina // 04.06.2008 at 21:07 |
Kev: I wish I knew why the Apple folks refuse to address this sensor issue and it’s a real shame since there are so many people loyal to their Macs. I’m a new user having only switched in 2001 with my first Mac — an iBook — which I still have and use. I don’t plan to ditch my PB yet even though a lot of people think it surpassed its shelf life, but I have never had problems with my PB other than that damn sensor. Once my PB goes for good though, I still don’t know if I’d purchase another Mac … but the time it took to remove the sensor is better than time eternal in PC hell. Uh, yeah, off the soapbox now … cheers to your successful surgery and for curing your PB’s narcolepsy! You know, I saw NIN in Omaha with a bunch of guys I worked with and you’ll never guess who the opening act was … the Jim Rose Circus. It was … unforgettable … and I still wince when I think about it.
Christopher: I tried a search on Google and didn’t find anything for your model, so I hate to ask this of you, but have you tried posting this question to the Apple Discussions forum?
sapo: Cheers and congrats! Keep that bugger for the memories ;)
Leon: I’m really sorry to hear about your PB’s narcolepsy and I understand. I really do. Since the sensor surgery, I have had no problems with my PB — none. My PB only sleeps when I want him to :)
Good luck and let me know if the surgery works for you!
Lionel // 04.23.2008 at 13:29 |
Surgery complete!
PB back to life!
Thanks so much for the detailed instructions and links!
Andy // 04.27.2008 at 17:04 |
Add me to the list of delighted readers! Thanks to your post, Molly’s photos (I have a 15″ PB) and iFixit’s disassembly instructions I have no trackpad sensor. Thanks for making my world a better place!
Anyone have a cheap fix for a fried firewire port? This powerbook has to be the most unreliable piece of Apple kit I have ever owned but now, with the help of all you guys out there, I feel like I can fix anything….
Dina // 04.28.2008 at 10:37 |
Lionel: Congrats! I’m glad to hear that everything is working for you. Here’s to sensor-free days :)
Andy: Cheers to another successful surgeon and to a happy sensor-free place! Speaking of which … Rock brought home a case of Strongbow last week. I admit to not being a cider drinker, but I found it quite refreshing :)
I don’t think I can help much with the fried FirWire port, but if I happen to run across any info, I’ll let you know!
water28 // 05.01.2008 at 21:49 |
Hi there,
I just wanted to say thanks for writing this blog. I’ve had my PowerBook for 3 years and 2 of them it was regularly falling asleep because of my trackpad sensor. It was jumping up to 137C and down to -117C! Two weeks after my Warranty was void it started with the fits! I didn’t want to give up on the whole laptop, so I kept my hopes that I’ll find something. I tried the software patches and they didn’t work. I tried removing some of the kernel extensions and that helped a little but the problem was still reoccurring when most unexpected. I installed the latest OS, which some people said fixed the problem, but it didn’t for me. I was fed up! I wanted to change the upper assembly case, but who can guarantee that the new one won’t still have a faulty sensor! Most of them are used anyway! And I would still have to open the laptop. I just decided to try out to try to remove the sensor. I used your instructions for opening the laptop and locating the sensor. I used a really sharp scalpel to cut out the legs without touching the tape. It worked! I put the laptop back together and it loaded up just fine! Its a very gentle job, but its totally doable with some guidance and very steady hands. I’m so thankful for you post! It saved my laptop. I keep track of the other Temp sensors and they seem to be stable. I don’t expect the problem to happen again, although by now it almost doesn’t feel like my laptop without it falling asleep :D Thank you so much!
Dina // 05.02.2008 at 16:13 |
water28: Now that’s what I call real surgery … with a scalpel to boot! As I read your timeline, you truly have stuck by your PB through thick and thin! I’m happy that my blog post put your surgical skills to test and cured your PB from his two-year napping sessions. Wow, two years, I still can’t get over that. I don’t suspect your PB will fall asleep on you at his own will — ever. Thank you for taking the time to write and I raise a toast to you too, to sensor-free days! Congratulations!
water28 // 05.02.2008 at 17:48 |
Dina: Yeah, the software patches I had done, kind of kept us going all these years. But anyways, Thanks a lot!
Dina // 05.07.2008 at 11:52 |
water28: You definitely had better luck with the patches than most PB owners. Have fun getting to know your PB again ;)
Lily // 06.11.2008 at 00:01 |
Hey there,
My PB started with this non-sense a year ago, I took it to the Apple Store and had it checked – their solution: reinstall the system. As it was suddenly ok, I didn’t even bother to do it, thinking that all would be well. It was fine for about 4 months, although it had 3 kernel panics.
Then in the past month it started going into Deep Sleep, had some other kernel panics and became narcoleptic again. I’ve reinstalled Leopard but I’m still having sleeping issues – which, according to Temp Monitor, are the Trackpad sensor’s doing.
I still haven’t worked up the nerve to remove the sensor myself, and before doing it, I’d just like to know if anyone has experienced these Deep Sleeps and Kernel Panics as well, are they related to the malfunctioning sensor?
I’m about to give the Apple Store another go as I’ll be back in England in a week (no Apple Stores in Brazil, where I live) – another option would be for them to replace the top, is that right? I just want to know what my options are before leaving my PB there for who-knows-how long and spending lots.
Anyways – congrats on fully-recovered PB!
Brian // 06.21.2008 at 00:54 |
Success!!! Just wanted to say thanks for this info…
For over a year my 15 inch powerbook has had this sudden sleeping problem from the faulty heat sensor below the trackpad. Well after I found this site I decided to remove it and so far it is working perfectly. It really is easy to do.
Thanks again!
Dina // 06.23.2008 at 10:30 |
Lily: I apologize for the very late response! I’ve been busy with projects, exams … temporary single-parenting while Rock was away for business!
Aside from the bouts of narcolepsy, I didn’t experience Deep Sleep or kernel panics with my PB during my ordeal. I do remember reading several posts on the Apple Discussion forum from PB owners who described similar “symptoms.” The PBs were under AppleCare (from what I remember), so the top case or logic board, or even both parts, were replaced by Apple. If any of your PB components were replaced by the Apple store in England and your PB is running smoothly, I’d love to know!
Cheers!
Brian: Glad to hear all is well! There’s nothing better than to hear a PB that’s back on track! Did I just say that?
TC // 07.05.2008 at 00:17 |
Thank you so much!! I have been researching this problem for months, and have tried everything under the sun!! I removed the sensor about 2 days ago, and no touble so far! I love my PowerBook and have had to for almost 3 years…and am in no way ready to get rid of it. I have even upgraded the hard-drive myself. Only one other problem, the lower RAM slot has gone bad (which is another known issue with this PB) so I have to get a 1GB chip and all will be well. Thanks again!
Marco Ramires // 09.12.2008 at 18:57 |
Yeahhhhhhh! I worked for an apple reseller in Sydney – Australia and I am a mac user for about 15 years. For the first time i wanted to throw my Lovely Apple (PB) against the wall.
Months ago i had an issue with the sleep mode. The PB couldn’t be restarted when installing a new sorftware. The PB would go to sleep after 30 sec. I had to take the power supplies off and reset it. Pain in the ass process but after a few times, i used to shutdown the PB then restart it. i was happy with that…
After a few weeks the sleep issue came back. I could not close the PB, it would never wake up.
I’ve asked a very experienced guy from Apple Support at the shop i used to work for, the answer was clear. We both knew it was the damn faulty sensor. The only thing we could do through Apple was replacing the Top Case. That would cost me around 500 AUS. F*** that! i can survive without the damn sleep mode.
A few days ago it started to get worse. Sleep mode every 10 minutes. I couldn’t finish my assignments.
I had this article bookmarked… i decided to buy a decent screw drivers kit for 5$, got my nail clippers and did it. It was really easy to open the PB. I had the orange tape on mine… even easier.
Conclusion:
I have everything back! Sleep Mode’s working perfectly now. I am happy again.
Thanks for posting this article!
Apple knows about it But the support has to do the “right” thing, replacing the Top Case, As it has been said to me.
Thanks Again!!!!
Tom // 09.22.2008 at 20:20 |
It is so nice to have our PB working again…now the wife can work from home again!
I used an Xacto knife to try and scratch away at the solder, but it didn’t seem like it would ever cut its way through, so I grabbed our “personal scissors” from the bathroom and chopped the thing off. Crude & effective.
Thanks for saving us several hundred $$!!
Roland // 09.25.2008 at 05:35 |
Just wanted to let you know this saved my ass— and cured my 17in Powerbook (1.67 ghz g4) Thanks!
Bespren // 10.12.2008 at 06:08 |
It works!!! Thanks a million!!!
I guess this is the real beauty of the MAC community helping users to solve their problems in the most efficient and cheapest way.
My nightmare began 2 months ago with my DVD superdrive. Sometimes it reads sometimes it wont and there were times it swallow the CD for days then weeks then i need to perform some firmware voodoo to eject the darn CD.
Hold Control-Command-Option-Eject Button; this will shut down your computer. Turn the power on with the power button and hold Command-Option-O-F — this will boot you into open firmware. Now type eject cd and wait until the CD pops out. Type mac-boot and you are ready to rock!
Anyways after that my PowerBook G4 began to display symptoms of NARCOLEPSY while surfing it will just went to sleep for no reason no warning no indicator. It drove me nuts. When I open an application it will start normally and then again like a person with sleep apnea there goes the blank screen. Thought it was the battery so I bought a new one. Thought it was the memory I uped it to 2GB. Thought it needs some flushing of RAM so did the PRAM reset http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379 didn’t resolve it. Then I stumble upon this procedure. I said to myself since my Apple Care just expired when I needed it the most I told myself I will not lose anything if i did this operation. The worse thing is that my good ol PB will lost a trackpad sensor. So I bought a 160GB 2.5″ HDD so since I have uped the mem to MAX might as well uped everything. Installed the new HDD, OS X, Software Update Etc. Then start the removal of the 5 legged nasty dis functioning sensor. Close everything and booted.
Everything is back to normal. I just follow the instruction above step by step. Saved a lot of $$$ and my PB is back to normal. Thanks for this website my nightmare is solved.
Rafa // 11.07.2008 at 15:41 |
I’ve just repair my wife’s 15′ PowerBook.
Thank´s a lot from Madrid, Spain
Julie // 11.15.2008 at 07:17 |
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
your easy to follow directions and pix saved my g4 15 inch al. How amazing something so simple…
I have posted your link on an apple discussion I was involved in. I hope it helps someone else as much as it did me.
swimmer35
Dina // 11.25.2008 at 13:01 |
TC: I’m glad you found this post helpful and you’re rid of the sensor problem! I still have and work on my PB … I just hope my RAM slot is spared!
Marco Ramires: Believe me, I absolutely feel your pain and have, for a NY second, thought about throwing my PB against the wall! Of course if it wasn’t so late at night when Rock offered to buy me a new MacBook, then I wouldn’t have written this post. I’m still surprised that he would’ve bought me a new MacBook without even blinking! Again, glad to hear that you and your PB are on wonderful terms again :)
Tom: Aah, another use for the “‘personal scissors” in the meds cabinet! Give your PB and wife hugs for me!
Roland: Glad to hear that all is well — an a$$-saving is a good thing ;)
Bespren: Thanks for that useful tip on ejecting the CD! Too bad it wouldn’t work on other things like coins or an ID card — that happens when I turn my back on my kid for a second! I have always wondered about that though, at least with my iBook (which I still have, BTW) all I need is the tip of paper clip.
It seems that the sensor is the Freddy of PB nightmares! Glad to hear that your PB is fully functional without the dysfunctional sensor!
Rafa: Cheers to a happy PB and thank you for your comment :)
Julie: Again, I’m glad that you found this post helpful and most of all, that your PB is doing swimmingly well ;)
sndr // 11.27.2008 at 00:51 |
hi all,
Tnx for the detailed descriptions/pictures at various sites including this one. Just ‘deleted’ the trackpad temperature sensor of my PowerBook G4 with a dremel and it seems to work [stable for 2 hrs, more than the last couple of days [approx. 0,5 till 10 minutes].
KR from da lowlands [the Netherlands]
jalabert // 11.30.2008 at 04:12 |
I’m looking forward to attacking this after my backup is complete.
I’m having the same symptoms as everyone else. I went to the genius bar, before finding this site. They wanted to do a full diagnosis for 85.00, that doesn’t even go towards a future repair.
Anyway, not very helpful. I downloaded the temp. Software and my trackpad got to about 105f. Not too hot. Could it be another sensor? My system log has the same error… Temp overheat… Going to sleep. Should I do the surgery still? Seems like fun, what else do I have to lose.
George // 12.04.2008 at 19:15 |
Someone know where the temperature sensor in powerbook G4 17″ is?
Please help!
George // 12.04.2008 at 19:15 |
G4 1,33 17″. Thanks
Todd // 12.08.2008 at 04:16 |
Yea!! this worked!! I just clipped it off. Funny, I called Apple to see if there was any kind of a recall since so many people are having this problem… guess, what- the “have never heard of it..”
BTW without that heat sensor, the powerbook runs a little hotter because it is not receiving a signal to turn on some of the fans; however, I downloaded one of the utilities to reset the threshold for when they go on, and now it runs cool enough that I can use it in my lap wearing shorts! Kills the battery faster of course. Thanks!
Dina // 12.30.2008 at 12:35 |
KR: Hello neighbor from over the border. I bet deleting the sensor with the Dremel was worth the procedure. Cheers to a PB that finally stays awake :)
Jalabert: I would remove the sensor … and keep it as a souvenir for all your troubles. Although I didn’t download the temp software, my PB didn’t “feel” hot either. We lived in Kaiserslautern, Germany, at the time, so we didn’t have access to an Apple store or a Genius Bar. There is a Mac users group where I could have fielded second opinions, but I simply didn’t want to waste anymore time.
It seems that the only solution from Apple (whether or not you have AppleCare) is to replace the top case. You could pay the $$$ for the full diagnosis or repair / replacement and have a new top case with a new sensor … or treat yourself to a new notebook … or remove the sensor yourself. However, the procedure can be tricky because the sensor is surprisingly tiny, but you’ll have a PB that no longer sleeps on you and the only thing it will cost you is about 15 – 30 minutes of your time.
Let us know what you decide :)
George: Glad to be of help and I hope your PB is doing well.
Todd: So sad that Apple seems to be mum about this issue, but glad to hear that you can use your PB on your lap without the sensor … while wearing shorts! I would love some of those temps where I’m located in Germany!
Kanav // 01.01.2009 at 16:29 |
hello all!
this seems exactly what my problem is at the moment with my pb except the temperature monitor utility doesnt come up with the trackpad sensor. only the processor topside, battery, graphics processor die and hard disk drive bottomside. nothing else… makes me wonder if i have the same problem and if the sensor is located in the same place….. i’ve got a 12″ powerbook (1ghz)
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 20:31 |
Kanav: I’m sorry for the late reply (apparently, real live has gotten in the way…among other things), but I don’t think I could help you locate the sensor on your 12″ PowerBook. I’ve heard of other folks having similar problems with PBs that aren’t 17″ but I haven’t heard if anyone has actually located the sensor on those PBs. If I find a link, I’ll post it :)
A very belated happy new year to you!
Kanav // 01.01.2009 at 16:29 |
happy new year all by the way, and thanks for any help in advance :)
pwoodson // 01.03.2009 at 09:22 |
After researching here and on several other sites, I underwent the procedure myself. Aside from a very difficult tight screw inside the RAM casing (which got stripped worse and worse but eventually came out miraculously), it all went smoothly.
Like others, I used a nail clipper to remove the soldering, as I didn’t have higher-tech tools available. My internals looked slighlty different from other diagrams, but the “01″ and “C2″ on either side of the sensor gave it away.
Being VERY careful not to touch anything but the sensor and its soldering, one good clip removed the whole thing. A couple more passes and the solder residue was gone too. Replaced the tiny orange piece of tape over the remains.
Started ‘er back up and works perfectly with no narcolepsy. Temperature monitor simply didn’t “see” the sensor. Then I realized I’d forgotten to put back the larger piece of tape over the keyboard connector. D’oh! I had to re-open the whole thing and put it back, just in case.
Powerbook is still working with no problems– knock wood. I recommend this to anyone who is good with tools, and whose Powerbook is long past warranty. Once the case is open, you really don’t have to putter around with the logic board or anything. Just one delicate SNIP– think of it as a Powerbook Bris. ;)
2 weeks later, the Powerbook is still operating perfectly (except for that other problem, the cursed Lower Memory Slot… but that’s another story. Sigh.)
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 20:47 |
pwoodson: My apologies for this very late reply…again, real life prevents me from doing things like hanging out with my once sleepy PB. Nonetheless, thank you for sharing your surgery notes with all of us here. It’s amazing that all it really takes is a snip to get rid of the narcolepsy. I still have my PB… the same one (minus the sensor). It does everything I want it to do…without bagging z’s!
Just wondering…is your PB a 15″ or 17″?
Bill // 01.20.2009 at 01:23 |
Hi. This is the first time I’ve ever seen this site, but then I haven’t been looking for narcoleptic PowerBook stories for quite a while now. But a friend told me her PowerBook was now dozing off frequently, so I went back on the hunt for new victims, to see how people were faring now, and whether this vexing issue was still appearing on a lot of older PowerBooks, all these years later. I can’t tell how heartened I was to see all of you folk taking the plunge and cutting out the sensor. You won’t be sorry. It really does the trick. I’m on a G4 PowerBook right now.
I’m the “Bill” who wrote the entry on Rick Cameron’s blog under the photo of the sensor on the popsicle stick. I took my sensor out in the summer of 2006 and never had any problems since. Well, a hard drive died before the holidays, but that’s a non-issue (it was backed up).
For those who said that there was no software fix possible, that’s not strictly true. None was ever made, but it would have been possible. It’s true that there was no fix that we could make by disabling extensions, but it would have been relatively easy for Apple to fix this with a Software or FirmWare update (I’m not sure where the temp monitoring is done). It would work like this. The temp sensor readings are monitored as usual, but each reading is compared to the previous one, so the slew rate (as we engineers call it) is monitored. If the trackpad sensor’s reading is changing at a rate that is not physically realizable, then the monitoring software ignores the sensor readings until the spike has passed. So when the thing spikes to 165C and goes to -115 a second later, the system could reject that as bogus data (that sensor couldn’t possibly change at a rate faster than a degree or two per second). Or they could have just had the system ignore that sensor altogether. It would not have been at all difficult to implement this cure. But they have legal/warranty reasons for not disabling a piece of “safety equipment” designed to protect from overheating. Hence the “replace the top case” cure they advocate.
So, given that the trackpad doesn’t even get that hot, it’s not a big deal to lose that sensor. It’s clearly not that important in the grand scheme of things.
Glad to know that so many people have found the cure here and are getting up the courage to do the job. Looks like I’ll be fixing my friend’s PowerBook before too long (it’s got to come in the mail).
There’s another problem that may vex some of you. If any of you have the problem with no speaker output, and your audio output jack is glowing red, then you’ve got a defective plug jack. I’m about to wade in and fix that too. It’s a bit more ticklish job, but none the less fixable.
Good luck to you all.
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 21:08 |
Bill: Aah…you’re that “Bill”! Many apologies for this very late reply! Thank you for checking up on us folks with the sleepy PBs! I was quite surprised to find that there are many people out there still using PBs as old as mine. I was under the impression that Mac owners update their gear every time Apple does…or maybe I’m getting that confused with PC owners who buy new laptops every year. Aah, but now that the sensor is gone…I’ve had no worries with my PB, as well as many others who have posted here. Thanks to your surgery, you gave us the courage to do it ourselves…and I’ll keep an eye (or perhaps, ear) on the audio. Again…many thanks to you!
Austin // 02.14.2009 at 06:36 |
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I just did it and my PowerBook works great!
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 21:09 |
Austin: Cheers! Glad to hear your PB is working great!
Frank // 02.15.2009 at 02:59 |
Hi, I have a PowerBook G4 Alum. 15in. from June 2004 but I cannot find the darn temp sensor. I even tried looking for the “01″ and “C2″ that another user mentioned but I still can’t find it. In the location you have photographed, I don’t have a chip next to the white/two red wire connector. In fact there is another four wire connector just to the right of where you are showing the soldering point. I must have a different board, where the chip location is not obvious.
Please help, this incessant sleeping is driving me nuts.
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 21:29 |
Frank: Again, so sorry for the very late reply here. Did you see Molly’s flickr set Curing a Narcoleptic 15″ 2005 Aluminum Powerbook G4? Perhaps her photos could help?
Henrik // 02.22.2009 at 15:13 |
Hi. I followed your instructions and removed the temp sensor, but now the computer refuses to start. Any ideas what I have done wrong? How can i check what the problem is? Grateful for any ideas or suggestions.
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 21:42 |
Henrik: Apologies to you as well for a very late reply. Bill gave some wonderful advice and I’m glad to hear that your PB is working. Did you have to remove the top case and check all the contacts?
Bill // 02.22.2009 at 15:49 |
The possibilities are in two categories.
1.) you could have shorted two of the pads the sensor was attached to. This will cause problems. When the sensor is removed, the bits of solder or metal legs from the chip and the pads to which it was attached must not be touching each other. And they need to be covered so they don’t touch the case. (use the clear mylar tape, or add a piece of electrical tape – just make sure there is no electrical contact)
2.) you may have done something during the reassembly to cause it. If all of the connections are not seated firmly and correctly this can also cause problems like “it won’t start”. So you have to be sure that things are put back exactly as they were when you took it apart. Did you reset the power manager after you put it back together?
3.) And this is unlikely, but you may have damaged something through static discharge. I doubt that this is the case, but it’s possible, depending on the tools you used and the conditions of the place where you did the repair.
But don’t doubt that the repair works. I’ve done it and it’s a sure fix. My PowerBook was done a long time ago and it’s still running perfectly.
This repair did come with warnings that it was “tricky”. My guess is that you either have shorted pins where the sensor was or you didn’t seat a contact properly. Some of them plug in with great difficulty.
Good luck with it and let us know what happened. Meanwhile i have to find the location of the sensor on the last model (hi res) of G4 PowerBook, which is different from the one I fixed and not the same as the 17″ shown above. I haven’t found any indications on the web, but will be taking mine apart (the one I write this on) later today. I also have to fix the audio jack while I have it apart.
- web
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 21:52 |
Bill: Again, thank you :)
I had no idea that this lone PowerBook post would be the most popular on a knitting and spinning blog. Again, I want to thank you for replying so promptly to Henrik. Hopefully, Henrik can tell us exactly what happened so that other PB owners can learn from him as well.
Henrik // 02.22.2009 at 16:07 |
Thanks for the rapid reply. I have checked the pads of the sensor very carefully, so I feel I can exclude that. I also tried to be careful to avoid static discharge. That leaves me with loose connections. I have a 15″ 1.67 GHz (low res), so basically the only connection I removed was the keyboard connection, and I think I get that reattached properly. Any ideas of what connections I could suspect? Also, what do you mean by “reset the power manager”?
Thanks again
Bill // 02.22.2009 at 16:52 |
I wouldn’t think that this was necessary, but if you go to the apple support site and find your PowerBook model and reset the power manager, it might be all you need to do. Here’s the link
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431
I didn’t use any HTML tags on the link because I don’t know if this blog supports them, but in any case, you can copy and paste it.
If that doesn’t work, try starting the PowerBook from an external drive (start with Option key down and a FireWire drive connected). This would tell you if it’s a disk or something else. When you start it, does it give the chime? That would at least be a sign that the motherboard passed the power on self test.
- web
Neil // 02.22.2009 at 20:40 |
Just wanted to add my thanks to the site for providing me with the confidence to open my Powerbook up and snip that sensor out. So far, so good. It’s been running for about 2 hours without stopping for a doze.
Cheers, Neil
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 21:58 |
Neil: Apologies to you as well for the late reply! Great to hear that you had a successful surgery and a PB that will no longer fall asleep on you :)
alec // 03.02.2009 at 00:36 |
The same as everyone- Thanks is definitely in order. My Applecare has been gone for about a year now, and Apple was pricing me at a flat rate of $350.00 to repair the problem. Thank goodness I found this site and my powerbook has been running fine since.
Peace,
Alec
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 22:27 |
alec: Don’t thank me! Thank Bill! He gave us the guts and saved us some bucks :)
Ale // 03.03.2009 at 05:52 |
Muchas gracias por su ayuda, si Ustedes batallan en EUA, imagínense nosotros en México, aquí simplemente no hay solución a través de Apple. Saludos.
Ale
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 22:33 |
Ale: Feliz de saber que esta solución le ayudó. Vivir en Alemania, el consejo sería comprar un nuevo portátil, pero para pagar en euros no es bueno … yo no quiero pagar tanto dinero. Espero que esta traducción de Google ayuda, mi alemán es peor. ¡Salud!
Freeamanda // 03.10.2009 at 22:36 |
This is great- I just finished the job this morning, and all seems to be well! My 1.67ghz Aluminum PB from August 2005 had been napping on and off again, but all of a sudden it was napping in five-second intervals ALL the time. Not good for working! We had to go pick up the T-6 Torx screwdriver from Radioshack this morning, but all else was fairly as described. We used the ifixit site for good instructions on how to open her up, and a dentist’s hand and cuticle clippers to do the deed. My only concern is that the fan was running for a while (I’m not fan-o-phobic), but it’s off now. I am SO relieved!
Thanks for the good insight!
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 22:43 |
Freeamanda: Pleased to hear that you did the deed, too. Since DH removed the sensor, I noticed that the fan hardly ever runs and that the PB doesn’t feel as hot as with the faulty sensor. Yea for a PB that stays awake!
uncle buck // 03.27.2009 at 16:13 |
Thanks for this. I just fixed my 15″ Powerbook that was off and on over the last few months going to sleep in the middle of typing an important email or some other task.
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 22:47 |
uncle buck: Happy to hear that your PB no longer falls asleep on you!
Bend_designer // 03.28.2009 at 19:46 |
Looking forward to doing this but I want a pro tech buddy to assist in the operation ;-) Until then I am not turning my 1.67ghz 15″ off since it has found a stable 42.0° on the trackpad and has stayed there for about 3 days and counting. Just putting it to sleep manually is maintaining this “stasis” Before then it was stable only when the trackpad wasn’t registering anything. Not an engineer but you would think Apple could have written a patch for this to keep the reading stable while keeping the more important temp sensors functional.
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 22:53 |
Bend-designer: Keep us posted. I, as well as the majority who have posted here, own a 17″ PB. Apparently 15″ PBs are exhibiting the same symptoms.
Henrik // 03.29.2009 at 15:04 |
Hi
I reported a failed operation some time ago (the computer wouldn’t start after the operation). I would just like to report that my computer now mysteriously works again. Thanks for a great page, and for helpful suggestions.
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 23:06 |
Henrik: My deepest apologies for being of little assistance. I do hope that Bill was able to answer any of your questions or your concerns regarding your PB. My intention for this post was to offer some light at the end of the tunnel for those who were suffering with narcoleptic PBs–a simple DIY surgery. My PB’s symptoms were sudden with the narcolepsy happening so often, that there was nothing left to do, but to remove the sensor. I haven’t regretted it and although I didn’t experience the same problems as you did, I am relieved that your PB is working again :)
jaime // 04.03.2009 at 00:34 |
hey there. i was having a sleepy pb for some days now and i just took that damn bug out in a 15min surgeon session. (long live good tools). the patient is recovering now and doing a lot better. thanks a lot for the great hint.
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 23:09 |
jaime: That’s all it takes :)
Glad to hear your PB is doing well.
BadApples // 04.09.2009 at 22:44 |
Before everyone starts cracking open their powerbooks you have to remember, they are all pretty much different once you open them. For example the Powerbook g4 15in-fw800 has a different topcase then the one he has open. Plus when you start taking out heat sensors the fans will start running on high. As a tech i would not recommend this fix for the average user and i also question his knowledge about the Apple hardware and OS. Window based machine are a completely different beast.
But if his fix works more power to him!
Dina // 04.10.2009 at 23:51 |
BadApples: I’m pretty sure that everyone who has posted here are aware of the differences between the PB models. With the faulty sensor removed from my PB, I haven’t heard the fan running “high” at all. As a matter of fact, my PB ran hotter with the fans on “high”, and that’s with the faulty sensor. If you read this post at all, you would know that I did not make any claims that my DH was a knowledgeable expert on Apple HW or its OS. I knew what the problem was and the sensor had to go–my husband simply removed the faulty sensor for me. That’s. It. So, don’t you dare come here to this blog just to publicly criticize my husband or question his integrity because he did me a favor. If you want to direct your comments or questions to him, I’ll give you his e-mail–there’s no need to go through me.
This “fix” didn’t work for him…it worked for me…especially for a few PB owners out there. Thanks for the comment, at least be glad to know that the “Bad Apples” out there are willing to risk surgery to keep a PB working, than keep an expensive paper weight.
Donny // 04.10.2009 at 19:56 |
I’m going to attempt this myself, but what a headache this has been over the years, it would come and go for months nothing, them 1 day of agony, sometimes I felt like chucking the machine under a bus.
The techs back during the warranty couldn’t recreate the sleeping issue. So no fixey, nor they knew or just didn’t tell me.
My g4 15 lasted for 4 years, through the Apple Care, now the sensor has a mind of it’s own, it has to be removed.
I have opened my machine in the past, 3 months after the purchase, had a mishap. Dropped it while in a bag, inside a slightly padded sleeve, while dismounting my bike in heavy rain, but it was all good, just the left side vent area was a little dented, oh well.
I was happy to have found this site and a couple of others for the fix, I’ll update after the surgery.
I’m going to grab a needle style soldering tool, I have a large and bulky one, not for this stuff.
Dina // 04.11.2009 at 00:15 |
Donny: It seems that everyone’s PB experiences are different. Some lasting years or months, or with me, quite suddenly. My PB would go straight to sleep after a login…that was annoying, so I understand how you wanted to chuck it under a bus. I’m amazed that my PB (minus the faulty sensor, plus a new hard drive) has lasted me nearly four years as well. I just can’t think of ditching it…heck, I still have (and use) my old iBook! Let us know how the recovery goes :)
Bill // 04.12.2009 at 20:21 |
BadApples may be a tech, but he or she is typical of today’s techs – ignorant and unthinking. They follow scripts, and don’t look at real, practical evidence. I teach electrical and computer engineering at a university and my students design and build real systems. We don’t follow scripts. I think I might just know what was risky and what wasn’t. Let’s do a reality check. Given that I’ve had oh, 6 PowerBooks, and that none of them have ever shut down due to overheating, and that the closest any temp sensor has ever come to the limit is for the CPU, NOT the trackpad, I think that maybe, just maybe, it’s not a problem to take that trackpad sensor out.
I took the trackpad sensor out of my PowerBook two and a half years ago, and it’s worked fine ever since. I’m about to take the one out of my last PowerBook (the high res G4). I have no concern at all about that. I’ve never seen any comment on any forum on the net that said there was a problem after extracting that sensor.
BadApples needs to get a clue. You can remove and replace parts on a script, but you don’t appear to have any rational judgement. This is a no brainer. Your PowerBook is out of warranty, and there a malfunctioning temp sensor that will never be missed, and someone shows you how to remove it, and you don’t because some tech says it’s dangerous? Get real. You’re just trying to claim some special domain of expertise for yourself and your fellow techs. It’s BS. Get over it..
Dina // 05.03.2009 at 12:02 |
Bill: After writing my reply to BadApples, I later realized that although he (or she) is a tech, he may have been a very frustrated tech. So I thought of this scenario…. It’s possible that this tech works for Apple and maybe he’s seen a few narcoleptic PBs, but Corporate simply tells this tech, “replace the top case.” He doesn’t need to ask why, he just has to do…top case replaced. Now this tech is seeing more narcoleptic PBs and instead of owners waiting for their PBs to return with a new top case, maybe they’re asking him, “Couldn’t you just remove the trackpad sensor? I did a search through Google and found that a lot of PB owners solved this problem when they removed the sensor. Why bother replacing the top case?”… slap-on-the-wrist comment to “Narcoleptic PowerBook Cured.” I’m not a psychologist (and actually despise the subject), but I think he needed to vent a bit–I’ll give him that. After all, it could’ve been much worse than a slap-on-the-wrist, it could’ve been a nasty drive-by.
Still, while many of us brave the delicate DIY surgery and cure our PBs of this sleeping nonsense (woo-hoo!), yet wonder why Apple won’t address this problem…you answered the question for all of us. It would be very messy, if not expensive, for Apple to admit to a malfunctioning safety issue. Replacing that top case is an easier fix.
Despite what BadApples says about us bad apples removing the sensor, my PB is cured! It works! And it sleeps only when I want it to sleep! Perhaps he needs to take a few of your classes to learn how to get a clue ;)
Bill // 04.15.2009 at 00:52 |
I just did two more PowerBooks today (one narcoleptic, the other a preemptive move). Both of these powerbooks are the last generation of G4 PowerBook, 15″ with the high resolution screen. I can now do one of these in about 20 to 25 minutes, depending on the distractions. Someone had posted here or somewhere that they couldn’t locate the temp sensor on this model. It was easy to find as it’s on the ribbon cable, right by the white connector, just as it was on the first one i did.
I extracted the malfunctioning temperature sensor from a friend’s PowerBook, which was a breeze, and since I had to do another job inside of mine, I decided to remove its sensor too (it’s out of warranty, and it will now never become afflicted). So both of them are gone, and all is working well with both machines.
For my own Mac I had to fix the audio out jack, which was a much more tedious task that took a LOT more time and a LOT more patience and care. But it turned out to be fixable, and now the speakers work again. Yay.
And just when I thought it was all over for the day, a lady I know showed up here with her 12″ Mac PowerBook not working. She had a pen at the hinge location and tried to close the PowerBook in the dark. Keyboard wouldn’t work. So I fixed that too. Sheesh. This is not my day job. I hope that’s all the computers for today.
Dina // 05.03.2009 at 12:32 |
Bill: Thanks, Bill! I’ll update this post to refer 15″ and 12″ PBs to your comments. Wow, you have been very busy with ridding PBs of all sorts of ailments, and indeed quite the friend to do this! I’m not ready to give up my PB as it’s my workhorse for assignments, photos, e-mail…everything. I usually try and avoid the online Apple Store, but the other day I was curious enough to view the MacBook Pro line. I was speechless.
mrfxt // 04.19.2009 at 01:19 |
Where is the sensor on the 12 in. G4 aluminum pb? I’m ready, willing and able to perform the operation, but this is not the 15′ or 17″ layout. I’ve been inside the case of my 12″ looking today. It’s not underneath the metallic tape directly underneath the trackpad is it? I’m reluctant to remove that tape without someone sharing a success story. Thanks….
Dina // 05.03.2009 at 14:40 |
mrfxt: I’ve seen another post asking about the sensor on 12″ PBs, but unfortunately I don’t have that info and haven’t seen a response. Hopefully, Bill’s post here will have a follow-up.
Bill // 04.24.2009 at 06:16 |
I don’t have a 12″ one here to look at. I’ve done 3 x 15″ models, but not a 12″. I know someone who has one and I can try to borrow it. But the 12″ is such a pain in the ass to get inside. So many screws.
Mrfxt // 06.26.2009 at 03:37 |
Bill,
Have you been able to locate and remove the trackpad temp sensor on a 12 in, PB yet? My Aluminum has been sitting since my April post.
I have not seen any one relating success with a 12 in. I remain hopeful. Thanks for your help.
Tom J.
Bob // 05.01.2009 at 19:22 |
Performed the temp sensor on a PB 17″ and it worked!! It’s fixed!! I can count on my PBH again. A few comments. (1) I used a small soldering iron to remove the unit, working on one side and gently pushing up the side of the sensor that had three prongs while I headed across all three prongs. Suddenly it lifted. I then did the two prong side with a gentle pressure upwards until the sensor just popped out of the slots. I noted that there was no solder crossing between the holds, just in case. (2) In re assembling I thought I was having trouble getting the ribbon cable back in its slot, then I realized that the ribbon will gently side right back into the slot on top of where you’d think it should go. (3) A very helpful site in the disassembly of the PB17 was http://www.powerbookmedic.com/Manuals/17-inch-powerbook-manual.pdf. I found three screws not mentioned in the photos for my G4 but otherwise all went according to the photos for disassembly. /// I can’t tell you all how happy I am to have accomplished this task. BTW, if any of you were contemplating upgrading you HD, this would be the time to do it while you have the machine apart.
Dina // 05.03.2009 at 14:56 |
Bob: Glad to hear that your surgery went well and without incident! That ribbon clamp seems tricky at first, but as long as you don’t try and force it, it’s surprisingly easy to disconnect and connect. The last time my PB was open there was a memory and HD upgrade…and some complaints about Pop Tart crumbs…he must’ve been seeing things. I don’t eat Pop Tarts…its must’ve been the granola ;)
Peter // 06.12.2009 at 19:40 |
Thank you so much for this blog! I just removed the trackpad sensor from my powerbook. The inside of the topcase was quite different than the others i have seen, and i had a nervous moment when the trackpad ribbon/chip disconnected itself before i could reach under, but it miraculously did not tear or break. whew.
Ed // 06.15.2009 at 10:53 |
Thanks for this, I have successfully removed the heat sensor and now my 4+ year old powerbook is back to being an insomniac :)
Donny // 06.15.2009 at 14:02 |
Well, I finally removed it, pretty easy. I actually used a pair of cuticle scissors. I figured soldering may be a little messy in such a tight area.
The 4 year old machine hasn’t gone into spasms since, it’s been 4+ weeks.
Thomas // 06.26.2009 at 01:18 |
Hi there,
Just performed surgery after years of hibernation problems, despite change of logic board.
All problems are gone, it seems, along with the sensor!
Thank you all for your sharing! (I used cuticle scissors & a cutter)
Sarah // 07.03.2009 at 08:14 |
Thank you for these posts. I was having the same problem and could not figure out what it was….This saved my powerbook!
Lily // 07.07.2009 at 13:53 |
I’m not sure I ever thanked you for the photos and info – thanks to your blog I decided to operate my PB and it’s been fine since – and that was over an year ago. It’s one of those things: when things are wrong we make a big fuss, but once they’re ok we just take them for granted. Anyways, I’m mentioning your blog in mine as a great source of info for anyone with the same problem! Cheers!
Andy // 07.24.2009 at 15:56 |
Thanks so much for the guide, i’ve just removed the temp sensor in my 15″ G4 with my swiss army knife scissors. It works a charm now :-)
It may sound sad but now my laptop stays awake i’m so looking forward to being able to do crosswords with the GF in bed again on lazy weekends.
david // 07.29.2009 at 03:00 |
thanks for all the helpful comments!
David // 08.04.2009 at 18:06 |
Done! Thanks so much for the post. Restating the obvious for those who haven’t taken the plunge yet: The thing is SO small! : ) A regular soldering iron just barely gets in there. Ended up using the nipper approach and it worked just fine.
Steve // 08.05.2009 at 14:39 |
Hi, I also have the infamous Narcoleptic 17′powerbook. It’s a 1.5Ghz model. I have it apart looking for the track pad sensor bug!!! Can’t find it can anyone help or advise?
Steve // 09.04.2009 at 12:50 |
Hi, I also have the infamous Narcoleptic 17′powerbook. It’s a 1.5Ghz model. I have it apart looking for the track pad sensor bug!!! Can’t find it can anyone help or advise? Anyone?
Mathias // 08.12.2009 at 19:55 |
I finally did the surgery with the help of a box cutter. Everything seems to be fine, but what does me confuse is that the sensor seems to report a value. I asume this is the highest value without any resistor. To be exact 125 degree celsius. Can anybode confirm that?
SS // 08.18.2009 at 13:21 |
Thank you so much for posting this information.
I have a 15″ 1.67Ghz PB which started going to ’sleep’ on me about 3 months ago. Recently it has started to get worse, and normally at the worse moment possible!
I have just carried out the operation and removed the offending item.
So far so good. My PB is back up and running.
The Trackpad tempearture no longer shows up in the Temperature Monitor, so not sure what is happening for Mathias.
Thanks again.
Bill // 09.03.2009 at 20:59 |
Mathias,
I think you may have snipped out a different chip, or perhaps shorted two of the pads on the chip you removed? There should be no reading from the sensor when it’s removed. But if it’s showing 125 degrees, it would likely put the thing to sleep permanently. It’s a puzzle. Not sure what you have going on there.
MrFxt,
I don’t know about the 12″ model. I have not taken one of them apart before. Only worked on 15″ ones.
Mathias // 09.03.2009 at 22:36 |
Hi,
I can stop confusing you. This happened because I did hack the hibernate mode of my PB, so that it writes all RAM data to the hd.
So after the surgery I did not reboot the mac, but it woke up from hibernate. 125 degree was probably the last value before emergency standby. Why this information was kept and why it did not force the book to sleep again.. don’t know.