3400 board question...

#1 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 - 20:48 68kMLA

Wow! I just heard back from a seller that he's got a 200 mhz board for a PB 3400 for only $20. Can anyone confirm that it's possible to transplant a 200mhz. board into a unit that shipped with 180mhz.? I've got the take apart directions and I should be able to do the work...

J

#2 Mon, 4 Jan 2010 - 06:12 68kMLA

I can't see why not - it was never an official upgrade, but all the other parts should be the same.

#3 Tue, 5 Jan 2010 - 07:44 68kMLA

While you have it apart, why not shoot for 225MHz? That would make it the fastest non-G3/G4 Powerbook ever

#4 Tue, 5 Jan 2010 - 07:55 68kMLA

Or better yet, track down a board from a 3400/240, the fastest stock pre-G3 PowerBook ever.

(or just track down a Kanga board)

#5 Tue, 5 Jan 2010 - 12:20 68kMLA

Ah yes, I forgot about the 240MHz model.

#6 Tue, 5 Jan 2010 - 20:09 68kMLA

Thanks for everyone's comments. I think I'm ready to pull the switch on this! I will check and see if they have the 240mhz board; but for $20 + ship, the 200 may be the most cost-effective way to go.

I hooked the 3400 to a good H-P monitor with mini-VGA connection and got "no signal" on the monitor. I get a chime and I do hear the hard drive working at startup. I have inspected the built in screen with a LCD flash and I see no active display, IE, it's not just the backlight that's out.

Based on all that, and the fact that the seller said the monitor cable was replaced by a pro repair service about two years ago, I am betting that it is the logic board/VRAM issue and not the display or cable. Holler if anyone thinks that logic is in error.

#7 Tue, 5 Jan 2010 - 22:48 68kMLA

That's certainly a cheap fix. Be patient with the teardown, and keep track of your screws.

BTW, in case it wasn't clear from LC_Guy's reply above, the "Kanga" G3 Powerbook logic board should be a drop-in replacement as well.

#8 Tue, 5 Jan 2010 - 22:51 68kMLA

Good advice always, Bunsen, thanks.

I'll post a progress report when the patient is off the table...