iBook G3-to salvage or not to salvage?

[2A Batterie]

My friend is totally married to her iBook G3; it is and contains her life. She basically uses it for myspace and blogging and iTunes, so she doesn't need anything new necessarily. The problem is, the end of her charger broke off inside of the power supply port on the iBook. Now, nothing happens when you try to start the iBook. I can insert the broken power adapter into the port and get a green light. After two and a half hours to wait for a Mac "Genius", he told me that I wasn't necessarily getting a charge and that it could only be getting enough power just for that light. He quoted me on a new adapter at $79 and new power supply at $200. I'm afraid if I have her spend the money, she'll get it fixed only to end up having a fried logic board or something. Is there any way to replace the power supply cheaper? Can I do it myself? Should I just have her get a new computer? Are HDD's easy to salvage from these iBooks?

 

[Mammoth]

Go ahead and get her a new G3. I saw one at a store for $250 Canadian, so you save $20 already.

 

[2A Batterie]

What store did you see the G3 at?

 

[amacgenius]

Buying her a new iBook G3 would be better than repairing it and then having it crap out as you're concerned about.

 

[ibooksux]

Do they serve alcohol at the genius bar? what a rip off!

This site has the part you need for $27. You would need to open the ibook yourself (not easy, but not too hard if you are mechanically inclined and have patience - it'll take a couple hours).

http://www.powerbooktech.com/parts,ibook-white-g3-12.htm

under "knowledge" they show you how to do it... you can also try the "fixit guides" at http://www.ifixit.com - they have a neater look.

after you get this together just try charging it with another charger, if it works, great, if not, it wasnt too expensive and was probably fun.

 

[calebjohnston]

The new g3 and replacing the harddrive also sounds like a good option.

 

[2A Batterie]

Does anyone know where I can get a G3 for cheap? I'm also thinking of suggesting a Mac Mini, but I don't know how she feels about desktops.

 

[Mammoth]

What store did you see the G3 at?

Cash Converters. It had a few scuffs on the bezel a Mr Clean Magic Eraser might be able to get rid of.

 

[ReanimationLP]

I'll sell you the part you need for 20 shipped. PM me if interested.

Or an iPod firewire cable.

Of course, if you really, really wanted to, you can open it up, get the DC-In board out, take a pin, and very, very carefully use it to push the broken tip out of the board, by going from the inside out.