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Operating System Specific Discussions => Other Operating Systems => Topic started by: dougal on February 23, 2011, 08:11:01 AM

Title: Need help with Clamshell G3 iBook
Post by: dougal on February 23, 2011, 08:11:01 AM: I bought a Clamshell iBook G3 to restore for only 40 Euros :-)

Turns out all that was wrong with it was a fault hard drive, so i removed the factory 6Gb and installed a 120Gb drive. So far so good.

Problem is once i booted up and started installing OS X i realized that there seems to be a problem with the keyboard.

All the number keys (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0) and the DEL key along with the ] key are NOT working. All the other keys are fine and the machine other than that (and a faulty battery) works fine.

I tried blowing compressed air into the keyboard and tapping the keys in question a litt;e harder but no result.

If i plug in a USB keyboard that works fine, so its def not a software issue.

Any ideas or tips ?
Title: Re: Need help with Clamshell G3 iBook
Post by: tone007 on February 23, 2011, 08:33:55 AM: Sounds like either a bad connection or a break in the ribbon cable.
Title: Re: Need help with Clamshell G3 iBook
Post by: pan1k on February 23, 2011, 08:41:47 AM: Quote from: tone007;617393
Sounds like either a bad connection or a break in the ribbon cable.

+1!
Title: Re: Need help with Clamshell G3 iBook
Post by: dougal on February 23, 2011, 08:57:44 AM: Bugger.. Thats what i was thinking.

Any idea where i can get one for butt cheap as in almost next to nothing?
Title: Re: Need help with Clamshell G3 iBook
Post by: Matt_H on February 23, 2011, 12:14:34 PM: Quote from: dougal;617398
Bugger.. Thats what i was thinking.

Any idea where i can get one for butt cheap as in almost next to nothing?

Probably by gutting another iBook. Try eBay or classified ads.
Title: Re: Need help with Clamshell G3 iBook
Post by: Amiga_Nut on February 23, 2011, 01:04:59 PM: May actually be a problem with the keyboard controller IC though.
Title: Re: Need help with Clamshell G3 iBook
Post by: ncafferkey on February 24, 2011, 12:29:26 AM: Have you tried lifting up the keyboard to take a look at the connections? It's designed to lift off from the top end for installation of an AirPort wireless card. You first need to slide two tabs and possibly adjust the screw that's on the keyboard.
Title: Re: Need help with Clamshell G3 iBook
Post by: ChrisUnionNJ on February 26, 2011, 12:15:38 AM: Quote from: ncafferkey;617607
Have you tried lifting up the keyboard to take a look at the connections? It's designed to lift off from the top end for installation of an AirPort wireless card. You first need to slide two tabs and possibly adjust the screw that's on the keyboard.

2 Tabs if you have long finger nails it's easy then check the ribbon..
Title: Re: Need help with Clamshell G3 iBook
Post by: dougal on March 16, 2011, 08:21:32 AM: It was indeed the keyboard. I found one cheap on ebay and installed it. The iBook is now working perfectly. Also ordered an Airport wireless card for it. Don't think i'll bother with a battery, its not like i'll be travelling with this laptop. :P
Title: Re: Need help with Clamshell G3 iBook
Post by: Debaser on March 16, 2011, 10:51:03 AM: Now the real test... will you be using the clamshell ibook in a public place for a long period of time? Do you have the selfconfidence to do so? :)