Macintosh PowerBook 170

Video Repair

I've had several occasions to open PB170/180s, and it's quite easy for the
Video cable (a ribbon cable) inside to be pulled out on reassembly - the
top half of the case has to be 'hinged' from the front of the machine,
downward, while this raises the back, and induces tension in the ribbon
cable. The wires also carry trackball/keyboard ADB info. You may need to
push the connector back in. If the machine has been installed after
manufacture with the 8Megs, and the Global Village hardware, chances are
that other stuff got loosened too - maybe the HD power cable if the tech
wasn't careful.

Opening the bigger PBs isn't too problematic, provided you have an
antistatic surface and wristband to work with, and I think a T7 and T9 Torx
screwdriver.
Remove the battery to begin with;
There are 5 screws in the case -
a single T7 beneath the 'flap' at the rear of the machine (where ports are at);
4 x T9 screws in the case below.

Once these are removed, and the machine placed with the LCD display down,
in the position you would normally type at, the top half of the case can be
gently removed. You will probably have to be persistent here, because it's
quite stiff; the rear edge will normally release OK, but there are little
'tabs' on the front edge that can only be disengaged by your teasing the
front edge backward. It will release in time.

Now, you'll find the top case can pivot backward and you'll see the ribbon
cable that is the video connector. It may need to be pushed firmly back
into place. (though of course it may not be clear whether it was loose
originally or due to the current disassembly!)

You could now either  reassemble the Mac, or investigate further. If the
latter, the whole top part of the case including the LCD display can be put
to one side if you ease the video connector straight upward (there are not
clips to hold it in, part of the problem really!). There's nothing related
to the Motherboard or HD on this top section. Checkout the other connectors
you can see, and make sure they're tight. (of course how far you're
prepared to investigate is entirely up to you.)

Reassembly is the reverse of the above. It helps if you 'balance' the rear
of the top part of the case on the row of ports at the back of the Mac
(resting in particular on top of the SCSI connector) with the top case at
about 45deg to the horizontal, as this will give you enough slack to plug
the video connector back in. Then 'pivot' the lid downward, and slightly
raise the rear edge (without yanking the cable free) to let you drop the
front edge into its groove, where the tabs will hold it in place. Then drop
the rear down again, and push it slightly - there will be a little
resistance, but will click gently on the left hand side.

Shove the screws back in the lower case, then behind the flap. Replace the
battery (your PRAM will be reset now, so checkout your Control Panels to
restore values).

See Also

• Apple Computer

Small Computer System Interface