Hi guys, newbie here. So I kind of inherited a second-hand iBook G4 (dated 2003 at the base) without a charger/adaptor, last December 29. It was charged when I got it (I don't know if it's fully-charged), and I checked to see if the components (USB, DVD drive) were working. The iBook was running well until the battery was almost drained and I turned it off. I guess it was completely drained - one green light was blinking at the bottom - so I can't turn it on again. Today we bought a new charger/adaptor (Magsafe-like?) from Hottoyz at St Francis Square, but the iBook still wouldn't turn on with it. The green battery light would still blink then disappear. We read somewhere that the iBook can run with the adaptor alone, but it wouldn't turn on either. I was wondering if somebody else have experienced this, or something else was wrong with the unit. And any recommendations on where to have it repaired? Also, if there's a thread or links, you can redirect me there. Thanks!
I think it was a Magsafe-looking generic type. I doubt if it's original Apple - I asked around the Power Mac Stores and told me that they weren't stocking old chargers.
macbooks and macbook pro uses magsafe ac adapter... does your charger tip connector lights up when you plug it into the ibook?
You mean the charger (or the connector attached to the charger) lights up? Nothing lights up in the charger, it doesn't have any LEDs that we can see. But we can plug it to the iBook. It looks like this but we really doubt if it's original. (EDIT: but the cord looks different here)
the circular tip connector that you connect into the ibook lights up when connected... orange means its charging the battery, green if full charge or battery is not attached. if it doesn't light up at all, its possible a defective charger or you have a defective DC-in board connector (where you plug the connector tip). i have another charger and dc-in board replacement, pm me if you need any help.
PM on the way. My brother and I are guessing that the charger is a fake or a generic that looks like a Magsafe, wala talaga siyang light in the tip, just rubber and metal.
You do know that the easiest way is to ask the person that you "inherited" it from...do you? @mark_17 Not all chargers even those that are "magsafe" light up when plugged in to indicate it's charging status... Also the charger being generic does not instantly mean that it is the problem... @andreavenge instead of getting a refund why not have them test your charger or better yet bring your unit to them...
@ RC: The charger wasn't included because it was malfunctioning. And the person who gave it to me moved to Japan on the holidays. I went back to Hottoyz yesterday with the unit, and they told me that they made a mistake of giving me a charger with 2.65A (?) instead of 1.87A (?) (we didn't bring the unit when we bought the charger, d'oh!). They gave me a refund so it's OK, but I still don't know if the iBook is damaged because the store didn't have any stock of the right charger and I don't know anyone with the same charger.
The person you got it from doesn't have an e-mail as well??? It's good that you got a refund...bad that you didn't bring the unit again... Try going to Ynzal (get directions Ynzal.com) Powermac Centers, Digital Hub etc...for possible chargers.
well for me all apple chargers should lights up when connected to the unit, with or without the battery... it indicates power from the ac adapter and also connection/power to the unit. no light normally means busted ac adapter or busted dc-in board. to troubleshoot this, use another working ac adapter... if it still doesn't light up and power the unit then you replace the dc-in board. generic chargers doesn't light up (their connector tip) so its harder to tell if its a busted charger or dc-in board.
it doesn't matter if you use the 45w or 65w ac adapter, both will work with your ibook. pm me if you're free to meet me, i have both the charger and dc-in board.
my iBook has that condition also (not charging). I took it to A.Store to have the batteries checked and they've confirmed that my battery's life is about to run out. So it wasn't a charger problem for me
An iBook can boot up connected to an ac adapter even without a battery. That rules out the battery. Although an old Mac like yours should have a dying battery by now. Try to get the Mac working off an ac adaptor first. You can always have the batt repacked by DITL Enterprise should it need new cells.
Hi guys, Update: - found someone with a charger. My iBook is alive! - will receive a charger from the States (thanks, relatives!). - will be pimping the iBook soon. But that's for another thread. - battery is OK and running, but the thing is very old. Where can I buy an extra one? I've read something about repacking batteries - would it work for mine? Thank you guys!
@andreavenge, NewerTech sells batteries for your iBook. I know that Ynzal carries NewerTech products, give them a call to ask if they have one for your iBook.
