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Fixing PowerBook G4 (12-inch) sleep problems

Fixing PowerBook G4 (12-inch) sleep problems

CNET staff
2 min read

We previously reported that the PowerBook G4 (12-inch) seems to have an awkward latching mechanism that sometimes does not properly shut, or can unhinge during transport. Some readers describe the hook that engages the latch as "too long."

This can cause problems for putting the PowerBook to sleep via closing the lid rather than accessing "Sleep" from the Apple menu.

The PowerBook (12 inch) uses a magnetic switch to detect when the lid is closed. The magnet is located in the lid to the right of the display (easily located by a steel paper clip) at a point that would place the switch under the right arrow key. MacFixIt reader Alan Somers previously suggested that squeezing this area to fit more tightly resulted in proper sleep.

However, some readers were still having sleep problems after squeezing the display to better fit against the lower section of the PowerBook. Now Somers reports another step toward resolving the problem that has been confirmed by other readers:

"My 12 inch PB was still having sleep problems after applying the fix described above, although not nearly as pronounced. The main problem was that the lid was not closing securely against the little rubber stops, which would cause the right edge (the edge with the sleep switch) to cantilever upward whenever the PB was grasped by the left edge, sometimes enough to wake up the computer. It also caused the lid to rattle against the base.

"Last night, I happened to notice that the top edge of the display appeared to be bowed also, but in the opposite direction of the side-edge bow (the top edge was sagging in the middle when closed). So, I applied some 'anti-bow' force to the top edge along the display bezel like I did for the side edge. The lid now closes firmly with no more rattle or rude awakenings."

Feedback on this issue? Drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Resources

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