What's the problem with your PowerBook?
No problem! Just schedule an appointment to drop off your Mac for a diagnosis. A couple hours after dropping off I'll call to let you what's wrong and rundown your repair options. If you decide to get your Mac repaired, the $50 diagnostic fee is waived.
Keeps crashing, colored spinning wheel, overall slow performance
These types of problems are often caused by a damaged file system, runaway application, corrupt preference file, or bad hard drive. Repairing the file system is usually a relatively quick fix ($65), while more challenging problems will be fixed after my flat-rate $100 tune-up (and your computer will be running fast again). If your hard drive is bad, you'll need a replacement -- starting at $155 (parts and labor).
Battery doesn't charge/charger indicator doesn't light up
A bad battery, bad charger, or bad DC-in board can cause these problems. A replacement battery starts at $30, a new charger costs $65, and a DC-in board replacement starts at $120 (parts and labor).
Keyboard doesn't work/certain keys stopped working
A liquid spill is usually the cause of a keyboard failure, but sometimes some or all the keys will stop working randomly. Keyboard replacements start at $85 (parts and labor). If you just have some missing or broken keys, replacements are $5 each.
Can't read/write some or all CDs & DVDs
As they get older, optical drives get very picky as to which CDs and DVDs they'll choose to read. An optical drive replacement starts at $65 (parts and labor). Sometimes objects get stuck in the optical drive - removing the object(s) starts at $65.
Can't connect to wireless networks or Airport connection drops-out frequently
Some PowerBooks use the old "original" airport card; it's slow and has poor reception. Generally, I recommend upgrading to an external USB WiFi adapter for $80 (parts and labor). There is a chance your Airport stopped working because of a software conflict, fixing this problem is usually $65. Airport card replacements start at $65 (parts and labor).
Won't boot-up, stuck on gray boot-up screen, or flashing folder with question mark
These problems are usually caused by a bad/dead/dying hard drive and/or system file damage.
Corruption can usually be repaired for $65. If your hard drive is bad or damaged beyond repair, you'll need a new hard drive and fresh operating system (starts at $210, parts and labor). If your hard drive is bad/dead/dying and you need the data back, you'll want to check out my data recovery service.PowerBook turns on (start-up chime works), but screen is dark or very dim
A dim/dark/dead display is usually caused by a bad LCD panel or bad inverter board. Replacing the inverter starts at $105 and a LCD panel replacement starts at $130.
PowerBook won't turn on, makes no noise, has no signs of life
This is often caused by a bad logic board or bad power button. Logic boards on PowerBooks aren't usually worth replacing because they are expensive (relative to the worth of the PowerBook, especially older models), starting at $195 (parts and labor). Often the best resolution in this case is to remove the hard drive and install it in an external hard drive enclosure, so you can access your data from another computer (about $95 parts and labor). Many PowerBooks are misdiagnosed as having a bad logic board when in reality just the power button is broken; a new top case will fix this, starting at $120 (parts and labor).
I have over 5 years of experience diagnosing and fixing all of these problems and more. I keep many PowerBook parts in stock, which means same-day turnaround for most PowerBook repairs, no extra charge. If you would like to schedule an appointment, click here.