PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.67 GHz Keyboard Replacement

Miroslav Djuric and 4 other contributors

Last updated on July 31, 2013

No estimate

Moderate

Introduction

Keys sticky from spilling that 64 oz. soda all over your PowerBook? This guide will show you how to replace your keyboard and will have you up and typing in no time.

What you need

Parts

G4 Aluminum 15" or 17" 1.67 GHz (HR) Keyboard
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Tools

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Step 1 Battery

PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.67 GHz Keyboard Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 1

Use a coin to turn the battery locking screw 90 degrees clockwise.
Lift the battery out of the computer.

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Step 2 Upper Case

PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.67 GHz Keyboard Replacement, Upper Case: step 2, image 1 of 1

Remove the following 10 screws:
Two 3 mm Phillips in the battery compartment, on either side of the battery contacts.
Four 3 mm Phillips around the memory compartment.
Four 16 mm Phillips along the hinge.

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Step 3

Remove the memory compartment cover.
Remove the two 12 mm Phillips screws on the Aluminum bracket at the top of the memory compartment.

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Step 4

Rotate the computer 90 degrees clockwise so the power receptacle faces you.
Remove the three 3 mm Phillips screws along the edge of the lower case.
When replacing these screws, you must install them in the correct order. Begin by installing the screw closest to the display hinge, then work your way toward the front of the computer.

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Step 5

Turn the computer 90 degrees clockwise so the hinge faces you.
Remove the lower 5 mm Phillips screw on each side of the hinge (two total).

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Step 6

Rotate the computer 90 degrees clockwise so the ports face you.
Remove the three 3 mm Phillips screws along the edge of the lower case.
When replacing these screws, you must install them in the correct order. Begin by installing the screw closest to the display hinge, then work your way toward the front of the computer. Also, be careful not to put the screws in the two holes on either side of the video out port.

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Step 7

Turn the computer over and open the display.
Remove the two 4.2 mm long, 1.5 mm hex screws at the top corners of the upper case (two total).
A T6 Torx driver will work, but repeated use will strip the screws.

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Step 8

Grasp the back corners of the upper case and pull up.
Do not pull the upper case off yet; you still need to disconnect the keyboard and trackpad cable.
Lift the back of the case up and work your fingers along the sides, freeing the case as you go. Once you have freed the sides, you may need to rock the case up and down to free the front of the upper case.

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Step 9

Rotate the upper case up and toward the screen, so that the upper case rests against it.

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Step 10

Remove the amber tape securing the trackpad ribbon to the logic board.
Disconnect the trackpad ribbon from the logic board by pulling up on the connector.
Remove the upper case from the computer.

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Step 11 Keyboard

PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.67 GHz Keyboard Replacement, Keyboard: step 11, image 1 of 1

On the following step, be careful with the tape on the side of the keyboard with the green power button, as the tape may stick and tear.
Peel back the black plastic shielding on either side of the keyboard (there are two pieces).

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Step 12

Use your fingernail to flip up the light brown plastic flap locking the keyboard ribbon cable in its socket.

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Step 13

Do the same for the keyboard backlight ribbon cable.
Slide the cables from their sockets.

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Step 14

Remove the 10 identical Phillips screws attaching the keyboard to the casing.

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Step 15

There are four locking tabs along the back edge of the keyboard holding it in place. These tabs must be straightened before you can remove the keyboard.

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Step 16

The first frame shows a tab in the "locked" position and the second frame shows the same tab in the "unlocked" position.
Use needlenose pliers to bend each of the four tabs from the previous step so that they are all in the "unlocked" position.

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Step 17

Place the upper casing on its edge and use a spudger to push the keyboard away from the casing, poking the spudger through the central keyboard screw hole. Grasp the keyboard as it separates from the casing.

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Step 18

Maintaining your hold on the keyboard, lay the casing flat and gently bow the keyboard until the two tabs on either side of the keyboard come free.

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Step 19

Slide the keyboard away from the trackpad and out of the upper case.

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Step 20

To replace the keyboard, first slide the bottom tabs into the upper case. Then bow the keyboard out and first slide the tabs in on the right side of the keyboard, then slide in the tabs on the left side.

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