Powerbook G4 keyboard replacement question

[gassy]

I've looked this up but can't find specifics. I could post on a Mac board but then Island couldn't get his two cents in. So. I replaced the keyboard but cannot figure out how to connect this last plug.

Do the two parts I've highlighted connect somehow or does the trackpad connector connect to something completely different. Ugh.

[stomachmonkey]

God I've taken a ton of those apart. That connecter is a little weird to get back on. You need to put it in place then kind of slide it around in a slow circular or left/right up/down motion and it just drops in place.

There is no satisfying "click" when it engages.

In terms of the correct spot, the ribbon will drop almost dead on where it's supposed to connect.

Question, is that ribbon from the machine or did it come with the replacement keyboard?

[stomachmonkey]

Service Source PowerBook G4 (15-inch FW800) - PDFCast.org

Download the PDF.

Around page 29.

[gassy]

Thanks-- I'll check out the pdf. The ribbon is on the laptop--the two from the new keyboard went in no problem. On the part where it should go on, there is a black lever that can go up and down. Should that be up or down when I try to wiggle the other part in to place. I'll check the pdf now.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by gassy

Thanks-- I'll check out the pdf. The ribbon is on the laptop--the two from the new keyboard went in no problem. On the part where it should go on, there is a black lever that can go up and down. Should that be up or down when I try to wiggle the other part in to place. I'll check the pdf now.

Hold on, usually anything with a lever will release a ribbon. Those ribbons slip into a slot and are held by pressure.

[stomachmonkey]

That conector on the logic board with the lever/ribbon looks like the cabling for the HD.

[stomachmonkey]

Do a visual measure on fron the end of the trackpad ribbon to the first bend/kink where it folds back on itself. Looks like roughly 2 inches.

Start at top of logic board and come down 2 inches, (whatever distance corresponds to the ribbon).

That's where you want to look for the connection.

The logic board connection will almost certainly NOT have a ribbon coming out of it.

[stomachmonkey]

You want to be looking more like in the yellow area.

[gassy]

Got it! I was looking in the wrong area. Thank you so much-- I owe you one!

[James Brown]

On this topic, is there a back lighted key board for the PB G4?

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by James Brown

On this topic, is there a back lighted key board for the PB G4?

Some had them, some did not.

Look at the F keys at the top. On mine it's F8, F9, and F10 keys. F10 will have a horizontal line with a semi circle of out wardly radiating lines. Think of a setting sun.

You can buy back light key boards but you'll also need the ambient sensors, they hide under the speaker grill.

Not sure if you can retrofit one.