Fix Your Stuff Community Store

iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to transfer the hardware from your old optical drive to a new one.

What you need

  1. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 2 iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Use a coin to rotate the battery locking screw 90 degrees clockwise.

    • Lift the battery out of the computer.

    Edit

  2. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement, Keyboard: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Pull the keyboard release tabs (shown in yellow) toward you and lift up on the keyboard until it pops free.

    • If the keyboard does not come free, use a small flathead screwdriver to turn the keyboard locking screw (shown in orange) 180 degrees in either direction and try again.

    • Flip the keyboard over, away from the screen, and rest it face-down on the trackpad area.

    Edit

  3. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Loosen the four silver Phillips screws that secure the RAM shield.

    • These screws will not come out all the way. The screws are held captive to the RAM shield to prevent them from getting lost.

    Edit

  4. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the RAM shield from the computer.

    • The four captive screws will come out with the RAM shield.

    Edit

  5. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Pull the keyboard cable up from the logic board, holding the cable as close to the connector as possible.

    • When reassembling your iBook, make sure that you reconnect the keyboard cable before replacing the RAM shield.

    Edit

  6. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement, Lower Case: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Close the display and flip the computer over.

    • Remove the three hex screws using a T8 Torx screwdriver.

    • The shorter screw is in the center.

    Edit

  7. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Use a spudger or small flathead screwdriver to remove the three rubber feet from the lower case.

    Edit

  8. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the three newly-revealed Phillips screws.

    • One screw is underneath each bumper (three total).

    Edit

  9. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Use a spudger or small flathead screwdriver to pry up the three metal rings that housed the rubber bumpers.

    Edit

  10. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two Phillips screws on either side of the battery contacts.

    Edit

  11. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Breathe deeply. Trying times are ahead, but we promise the lower case does come off.

    • Push in the thin rims of the lower case surrounding the battery compartment, bending them past the tabs, and then lift up to free that corner of the lower case.

    Edit

  12. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • There is a slot on the wall of the battery compartment that locks the lower case in place. Use a small flathead screwdriver to pry out the slot's lower rim and pull up on the lower case to free the slot from the tabs holding it.

    Edit

  13. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Run a spudger along the seam between the lower case and upper case on the front of the computer to free the tabs locking the lower case. Pull up on the lower case and continue to use the spudger as necessary until you hear three distinct clicks.

    Edit

  14. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Continue to run the spudger around the front, right corner. There are two tabs on the port side of the computer, one near the front corner and one near the sound-out port.

    Edit

  16. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • There are three tabs over the optical drive that must be released before the lower case can come off. Slide the spudger into the lower case above the optical drive and run it toward the back of the computer until you hear three distinct clicks.

    Edit

  17. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • The front and sides of the lower case are now free.

    • Turn the computer so that the back is facing you and pull the lower case up and toward you until the back tabs pop free.

    • It may be helpful to jiggle the case up and down.

    Edit

  18. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the small greasy springs with white plastic caps from either side of the battery contacts.

    Edit

  19. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement, Bottom Shield: step 18, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the following 10 screws from the bottom shield:

    • Six 3 mm Phillips

    • Three 7.5 mm Phillips

    • One 14 mm Phillips

    Edit

  20. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the bottom shield off.

    Edit

  21. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement, DC-In Board: step 20, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the single Phillips screw securing the DC-In board.

    Edit

  22. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 1

    • Angle the DC-In board out of its compartment.

    • You may need to remove tape that secures the DC-In board cable to the case.

    Edit

  23. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the DC-In cable from the adhesive attaching it to the logic board.

    Edit

  24. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the DC-In cable from the logic board.

    • Wiggling the connector parallel to the surface of the logic board while applying slight tension may aid in removal.

    Edit

  25. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement, Upper Case: step 24, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the following 11 screws from the bottom of the computer:

    • Three 3 mm Phillips around the battery compartment.

    • Three 4.5 mm Phillips along the optical drive bezel. (a magnetic screwdriver may help to lift these screws out)

    • One 12 mm Phillips in the lower right corner.

    • Four 14.5 mm Phillips.

    Edit

  26. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 1

    • We recommend placing the computer on a soft cloth from this point on to prevent damaging the logic board.

    • Turn over the computer and open it.

    • Remove the 3 Phillips screws from the edges of the keyboard area.

    • The shorter screw goes in the lower left corner. The left corner is indicated by a blue "L" in the photograph and is on the right side.

    Edit

  27. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 26, image 1 of 1

    • Be especially careful while disconnecting the cables in the forthcoming steps. Never pull directly on the cables, but use a spudger to pry up the connector directly from its socket.

    • Lift the upper case and use a spudger or your finger to disconnect the trackpad connector hidden beneath the white plastic tab.

    • Be careful while lifting the upper case, as its tabs are still hanging on the metal frame.

    Edit

  28. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 27, image 1 of 1

    • The sockets attached to the motherboards of most iBooks are very weak and easily broken. Use extreme caution when pulling connectors out of their sockets.

    • Lift the upper case enough to disconnect the blue and white power cable from the logic board. Using your fingernails, carefully pry the connector from its socket.

    • Carefully disconnect the multicolored speaker cable from the logic board in the same fashion.

    Edit

  29. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement, Top Shield: step 28, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the following 16 screws:

    • Thirteen 3 mm Phillips.

    • One 3 mm Phillips.

    • Two 4 mm Phillips.

    • During reassembly, be sure to fit the screw near the left hinge through the loop in the display data cable, securing the cable to the upper case.

    Edit

  30. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 29, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the top shield up from the right side, minding the upper left corner which may catch on the metal framework.

    Edit

  31. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement, Optical Drive: step 30, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the Reed Switch board connector from the logic board.

    Edit

  32. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 31, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the following 3 screws:

    • One 3 mm Phillips in the channel between the optical drive and fan.

    • One 6 mm Phillips from the upper end of the drive bezel.

    • One 6 mm Phillips extending from the lower left corner of the drive.

    Edit

  33. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 32, image 1 of 1

    • This is a diagram of the ribbon clamp connector you will disconnect in the next step.

    • 1) With your fingernails, grasp the locking bar on either side and pull up a small amount (about 1/16" or 2 mm).

    • 2) After disengaging the locking bar, slide the cable out of the connector.

    Edit

  34. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 33, image 1 of 1

    • Release the optical drive ribbon clamp as described above. Slide the optical drive ribbon out of its connector.

    Edit

  35. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 34, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the optical drive from the metal framework.

    Edit

  36. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement, Optical Drive: step 35, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the tape securing the reed switch cable to the optical drive.

    Edit

  37. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 36, image 1 of 1

    • Peel the reed switch board from the optical drive and set it aside.

    Edit

  38. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 37, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two Phillips screws securing the metal bracket and cable to the back of the optical drive.

    Edit

  39. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 38, image 1 of 1

    • Peel the cable up from the top of the optical drive, removing tape as necessary, and disconnect its connector from the optical drive.

    Edit

  40. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 39, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the single Phillips screw securing the bezel on the front of the optical drive.

    • This screw is longer than the two that secure the bracket and cable at the back of the drive.

    Edit

  41. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 40, image 1 of 1

    • The bezel has several small, fragile tabs that will break easily.

    • Use a spudger to carefully depress the two tabs on top of the bezel.

    Edit

  42. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 41, image 1 of 1

    • Hold the optical drive on its side and depress the remaining tab to free the bezel from the drive.

    Edit

  43. iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz Optical Drive Replacement: step 42, image 1 of 1

    • Turn the drive over and remove the two Phillips screws from the bracket on the side of the drive.

    • These screws are only partially threaded.

    • If you have a CD or any other object jammed in your optical drive, we have an optical drive repair guide.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

28 other people completed this guide.

Attached Documents

One Comment

From the start. What I suggest is printing out a large photo for the steps that you will be removing screws. Tape the screws to the printout in the location that they go. This way you don't lose the screws AND you know where to put them back, exactly.

Ryan Cabanas - Reply

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 1

Past 30 Days: 10

All Time: 26,144