Powerbook G4 display screen problems

I apologise for any typos - i cannot really see the screen very weel - I have had my powerbook g4 since about 2002, and a few hours ago as I was plugging in some external speakers to listen to music on my stereo, the display scrren went wonky - there a re svertical stripes accross the screen, and it is pixelated to such an extent that I cannot see much.

Is this just a sympton of old age, is the computer a goner, or is there some way I can fix it?

Help!

I'm afraid it could be something major due to age. However try the following:

1. Check the Brightness control
2. Press around the frame of the display to see if normal brightness returns
3. Change the angle of the display by tilting it backwards and forwards
4. Reset PRAM: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379?viewlocale=en_US
5. Reset the PMU: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431?viewlocale=en_US

If none of the above works, than I'm afraid the inverter is malfunctioning. This controls the power to the display.

This can be repaired/replaced by your nearest Apple Dealer or a company called Bookyard
http://www.thebookyard.com/mac_repairs.php?manufacturers_id=32

Alternatively you can buy the recently discontinued MacBook Pro:
http://www.cancomuk.com/Home/Clearance/Previous-Models?ref=71cac2e6829c657b

Regards, MacDoc

System Preferences

My iBook (running 10.4.11) is not picking up the wi-fi after it is starting up or waking from sleep. I have to select the network manually in the Airport menu. When I try to go to Network in System Preferences to try to resolve this I automatically get the box which says "Your network settings have been changed by another application." Every time I click OK on this box to close it, it reopens preventing me from doing anything else. I have to Force Quit System Preferences in order to move on.

Any ideas?
Ray


Hi Ray

This too happen to me on my old G4 Desktop running Tiger. This has affected many running this "old" system. Sadly it looks like Apple is not in a rush to fix it as they're concentrating on Leopard.

The problem started with a recent series of Security Fixes. The installer corrupted the Network prefs. One can of course change everything using Terminal, but the simplest work around is as follows:

1. System Pref > Security
2. "Check" Require password to unlock each secure system preference
3. Goto Network (this should prevent the "network setting have changed..." loop)
4. Change your Airport settings (you may have to unlock the padlock before making the change)
5. Lock the changes

I'm puzzled why you have to change the Airport settings after sleep. Presumably your Airport is set to Automatic and DHCP?

---

Thanks Galen,

That has fixed the Network problem, but despite being on Automatic and DCHP I still have to choose the wireless network manually.

Ray


Hi Ray

Re: Losing connection after sleep, have you tried the following?

• System preferences > Network > Show > "Name of airport connection, Automatic?"
• Click on Airport Tab > Options > un-check "disconnect from wireless networks when I log out"
• Close Sys Prefs

Alternatively you could try deleting you current network settings and setting it from scratch again.

• System Prefs > Network > Location (Go through the all the locations and write down all the settings)
• Location > Edit location > delete the lot
• Location > New location > re-establish all the locations you've deleted

It is normal for the computer to disconnect from Airport when asleep to preserve energy, maybe something in the settings is making it forget.

Boot Camp

Hi

I have recently bought the 20" i-mac 2.4 machine upgraded with 3gb memory.
I am keen to install Windows and have down loaded the Boot Camp
installation and Users Guide - I have all I need to install Windows -
except - my Mac shipped with a wireless keyboard and mouse - do I
absolutely need the USB versions referred to?

Thanks

Bob


Greetings

Sadly you do need a USB connection initially to set up the wireless keyboard and mouse. Once you've inserted the Leopard Disk to load the wireless drivers, you can then dispense with the USB peripherals.

Any way you can borrow these USB items, you can even use a PC USB keyboard and mouse!

If you've bought your iMac from the Apple Store their Guru/Expert bar can help, if you ask nicely...

iCal

Hi,

I am trying to set up repeat appointments in iCal running on leopard.

The online help facility says
"Choose how often you want the event to occur from the “repeat” pop-up menu"

But I can't find this pop up menu. How do you access it?

Thanks

Tom


Hi Tom

Try one of the following:

• Right-click on the event and select 'Get Info" then 'Edit'
• Select event in iCal then from the menu bar Edit > 'Edit event'
• Double-click on the event and 'edit'