I'd read all your kind replies through OWC Larry's response on removing a screw with a stripped head here: [forums.macresource.com]

So I was going through and trying each of them, without any success unfortunately, when suddenly a very loud and constant ticking sound started from somewhere around the middle of the bottom case (bottom middle of the logic board). This is without any power or battery connected. Doesn't sound good, eh? Well, worse fears confirmed when I re-assembled the case in a matter of 10 panicked seconds and I can't get it to power up.

Bizarrely, the caps lock key light is blinking madly. When connected to AC power, the sleep light now ticks at the same rate of the ticking sound from the mobo.

Something tells me I went from trying to replace the hard drive to needing to replace many more parts.

Any further help? Please...?

Sounds like you do have too long a screw somewhere, shorting out a component. Or, there could be an overtorqued screw that fractured a component.

Take it apart again, and put it all back together carefully. What manual are you using for the disassembly?

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Good Luck!
Jamie Dresser
Other World Computing

Thanks for the help, Jamie. I'm using the Apple service manual for PB G4 15" FW800.

The strange thing is that the ticking started with the PB fully disassembled. Presumably--though I could see this happening regardless, I suppose--if there was a screw too long or a component shorting, it would have happened long before I disassembled the 'Book.

I'll try taking her apart again, maybe even stripping it down all the way (at least, until I run into another fully stripped screw and seeing if that helps. I have a feeling I'm going to need all the luck I can get....

Just remember....

Move slowly, deliberately... and remain calm.
Don't get paniced, or get in a hurry.

If something goes wrong (stripping a screw, for example)... STOP.. and think.


Wish I could be of more help!

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Paul F.
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A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
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Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
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Eureka, CA

Might want to try the iFixit Guide for a second opinion on how to disassemble that Powerbook:

[www.ifixit.com]

The BLUE wire, NOT the green!

BGnR

If Apple had just taken my suggestion to use Velcro® and twist-ties in assembly we wouldn't see these problems.