PowerBooks

#1 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 - 06:08 68kMLA

I picked up three PowerBook 165's today. All three will turn on but only two will boot. Unfortunately the screens on all of them are pooched and the cases are horrible (damn school engravings!!!) but I think I may look for a good screen and paint one or something, at least keep good stuff around.

I also picked up some G3 desktops and will be picking up two more "old Macs" tomorrow...wish me luck

#2 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 - 08:35 68kMLA

Good luck Brett! and Congrats.

#3 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 - 14:37 68kMLA

What's the story on the screens? Completely kaput?

#4 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 - 03:45 68kMLA

One will work pretty well but you have to keep adjusting the contrast. Eventually the whole screen turns white.

Another goes from very dim to white screen about 30 seconds after startup is complete.

The last one displays colored lines all over the screen (odd for a greyscale display?) that change color when adjusting conrast. The rest of the screen is black.

Seems to be the story of my life regarding 1xx PB's - I swear I've had soo many dead ones.

#5 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 - 00:48 68kMLA

The 1xx series suffered more than many other models from display-related problems. Check for pinched/cut flex cables. Also, just remove and re-insert the cable ends at the display panel. Those junctions tend to get very flaky over time, and the simple act of fiddling with them will often restore functioning (for a time, at least).

#6 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 - 17:37 68kMLA

I will have to take them apart and clean them when I get back into town. They haven't been too high on my list of priorities due to the case condition, but a 1xx 'book that actually powers on is a rareity in my book, so I have to jump before too long.

#7 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 - 18:13 68kMLA

I have a couple of PB165's in my parts box. They were stripped for some reason or another. I think both screens were ok. Both have there keyboards and roller balls, but not much else. If they would of use to you, PM me with your mailing address.

#8 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 - 05:37 68kMLA

Here's an update on these. I've got one working pretty well after cleaning the ribbon cable on the LCD. It still does some weird stuff but is much more usable. I tried cleaning the other two but no luck, still no boot. No big deal, good parts for the good one.

30pin - PM sent