iBook upgrade
Well, seeing as I had to replace the HDD in the iBook anyways I decided to upgrade. I went with a 60GB 5400RPM drive. A decent improvement over my 30GB.
I followed the extremely helpful instuctions found on PB Fixit. They have detailed instructions with good pictures for removing and replacing most any part on an iBook.
When I got to the very last step before removing the HDD, which is disconnecting the cable to the internal speakers I ran into a problem. When I carefully pulled on the plug the entire connector came off the logic board. Crap, I’ll be able to get the new drive in but won’t have sound from here on out. Not really a good situation. The connector is located against and partially under a brace for the case. Now I was going to be forced to completely disassemble the iBook to see what I had going on under there.
I got it apart and took a good look at the connector. It has four connections to traces on the board. When it came off it actually pulled two traces off the board. I knew I didn’t have the tools to effect a repair on that. Time to head to Fry’s to look for a good soldering iron.
I cam home with a soldering station and a couple of long sharp tips as the area I was working in was going to be real tight. Like soldering a thread to a needle. I got the first two contacts re-soldered and all looked good. I was happy. It looked like I’d at least have sound in one speaker. The other two, where the traces had pulled up, were going to be the challenge. I bent the legs of the connector to get as close to the pulled traces as possible. I coated them with a dab of flux and got to business. I pulled out my old printer’s loupe and set it up so I could see what I was doing. It was difficult but it looked like I got them done though I wasn’t to hopeful.
I spent the next hour putting it all back together. In the end I ended up with two extra screws but couldn’t figure out where they went for the life of me. 🙂
I got out the Apple Hardware Test CD and tried booting. I booted up but I didn’t hear the standard Apple boot sound. Crap. I ran the tests and everything seemed fine. I went ahead and installed the OS without problem. At first boot I got the little video they have and, lo and behold, I also got sound! From both speakers no less.
The iBook is now up and running better than new with its 60BG drive and it’s currently restoring from backup. Sweet.