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

    Oop's sorry on my earlier note I meant to say in step 2

    Keith - Reply

    In my iBook G4 (Fr), there's no T8 Torx but nut driver.

    boninj - Reply

  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

    Be careful, the rubber feet tend to jump out and get lost.

    Lakshmana - Reply

  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

    This part scared me, never in an iFixIt guide have I seen a warning like "trying times are ahead".

    I used a plastic iPod opening tool and ran it around the seam in the same order pictured. I had the plastic off in less than a minute with almost no fuss.

    PohTayToez - Reply

  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

    I found it easier and "safer" to use a spudge at the back as well (two on each side of the hinge)

    Paulix - Reply

    Quote from Paulix:

    I found it easier and "safer" to use a spudge at the back as well (two on each side of the hinge)

    I did too. Thanks, Paulix.

    Ryan Cabanas - Reply

  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

    You might not need to remove the entire DC-In board and cable. This is removed because the DC-In jack blocks the upper case from being lifted off. I just removed the screw and pushed the board slightly in when removing the upper case to provide clearance. You may want to tape the board loosely in place when the screw is out to prevent it from falling out.

    georgie333 - Reply

  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

    You need to undo the adhesive halfway down the cable, so you can lift the DC board to angle it out correctly. beefybov

    beefybov - Reply

    Quote from beefybov:

    You need to undo the adhesive halfway down the cable, so you can lift the DC board to angle it out correctly. beefybov

    Good call, beefybov.

    Ryan Cabanas - Reply

  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

    On my model, both left-side screws are short and the (lower) right screw is the long one.

    axel - Reply

    Ditto

    Paulix -

    Sorry, this note should be for Step 25!

    axel - Reply

  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

    A soft cloth like the one you use to clean your screen with. Not a towel because of the static that might be built up in heavier fabrics.

    2myownbeat - Reply

    The picture has the lower *right* screw marked as "L" -- but that's a mistake; the short screw is, as described, on the lower LEFT side.

    Peter King - Reply

    On my computer, the screw in lower right marked "L" (long?) in the picture is M3x6mm and the other two are M3x3mm.

    donestabrook - Reply

    Long screw goes into the right bottom corner - and the 3 mm on the left - at least at the computer I did.

    zhp - Reply

    Yes, the LONG screw goes into the bottom RIGHT corner if the screen is facing you as it does when you're using the computer.

    Sugar Fish - Reply

  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

    use 2 tweezers instead: One with a fine tip to hold down the female socket and the other (or your fingernails) to pry up the male connector. That way you can better prevent the female socket to break off from the motherboard.

    Christian - Reply

    This is a very tough one. I did break both the power cable and speaker cable off the motherboard, and was unable to separate the motherboard-side connectors from the cable-side connectors even after that. Fortunately, this iBook was already bricked.

    Sugar Fish - Reply

  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

    on my model, the upper yellow screw and the orange screw were 3mm as well (red colour). So only the one right yellow screw was 4 mm.

    Paulix - Reply

    On my computer there is only one 4mm screw. The leftmost bottom right. The others are 3 mm. It is actually written on the shield: M2X3 = 3 mm. M2X4 = 4 mm.

    Paulix - Reply

    The little tabs on the shield that are intended to contact the metal on the ports and the optical drive had been flattened out on my iBook and were no longer in contact. I didn't notice this until I had installed the shield. Make sure the tabs are bent down a bit as to contact the ports and optical drive. This system looks like it replaced the foil tape on earlier models. Just my own observation.

    randy3833 - Reply

  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

    NOTE CAREFULLY the position of the reed switch and its wires, so that you can replace it EXACTLY as it was removed, lest you have a series of frustrating boot/sleep problems caused by a "pinching" of the board by the top case when re-assembled. (see my comment on step 36)

    raynman - Reply

  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

    I DID NOT remove this. There was no reason to. It's not actually attached to the old drive at all.

    Ryan Cabanas - Reply

    It is attached to the bezel and not to the drive.

    Carl - Reply

  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

    After loosening the bezel, I was able to free the side tab and rotate the bezel out from the bottom enough to clear the tabs (note Step 41).

    Carl - Reply

  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