Breaking into a powerbook

[tezza]

Hi,

I got given two Mac Powerbooks (145b)s the other day. One is fine, but the other has a shonky power socket. I need to open the case to fix it, but the screws seem to be non-standard. Is there a special "Mac" screwdriver needed to open these things? Are such things common?

 

[tezza]

After a bit of web searching I think I've found the answer. I need a Torx screwdriver.

 

[NathanAllan]

if your mac is like my mac (520c) then there are a lot of screws holding that thing together. Macs can be fun, sometimes. Torx are pretty common, too, you should be able to find them easy (tho not sure about NZ).

Nathan

 

[nige the hippy]

if you can, get a set of "tamper-proof" torx bits, they are more universal.
If you ever need to fix a compaq, you'll DEFINITELY need them then ;-)>

 

[Terry Yager]

if you can, get a set of "tamper-proof" torx bits, they are more universal.
If you ever need to fix a compaq, you'll DEFINITELY need them then ;-)>

I usually just take a small punch and break off the center pin. Now those one-way slotted screws are a different matter.

--T

 

[Druid6900]

Knowing Apple, it'll be some sub-torx10 size, so, you might have to get a 6 from a place that sells tools to take cell phones apart.

 

[tezza]

if you can, get a set of "tamper-proof" torx bits, they are more universal.
If you ever need to fix a compaq, you'll DEFINITELY need them then ;-)>

Thanks for the advice. This is just what I did today and in no time at all I was looking at the innards of a powerbook.

Didn't actually manage to fix the dodgy power socket though. Never mind, it was one of two that were give to me (the other one is fine) and it was fun trying.

I also used those tools to open up the comapq SLT-286. Boy, were they needed!....but that's another story.