04-28-2006, 06:56 PM

I have a Powerbook G4 15" 1.33ghz that did not come with a Backlite keyboard from the factory. I purchased a backlite keyboard for it but I wanted to know what else I am now going to have to buy so that it will work?

I was told something about a new top piece and some kind of sensors that I will have to buy. Or is there some other kinda mod that I can do to get it to work?

04-29-2006, 01:30 PM

Anyone help me with this??

04-30-2006, 01:37 PM

go into a dark room so that the screen dims then keep hitting the keyboard brighness key as the KB only lights up when the ambient light is low.

The sensors you mentioned are behind the speaker grills so you can cover them up with your hands to see if the KB lights up or not

04-30-2006, 02:04 PM

But he's trying to mod his non-backlight powerbook...

You need to hook up an ambient light sensor somehow... but I haven't the foggiest how you'd go about that...


i'd check www.pbfixit.com to see if they describe it in the newer models..

04-30-2006, 05:18 PM

ahh sorry i thought that the 1.33's had the backlit KB

05-01-2006, 11:45 PM

I was told that some do come with backlit keyboards... but I am now guessing that they are special ordered and are not standard.

I have the backlit keyboard but do not know what else I need to get to have it working.

05-02-2006, 03:22 AM

you will need the ambient light sensors that sit under the speaker grill

05-02-2006, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by inflexion

you will need the ambient light sensors that sit under the speaker grill

I wonder if it uses the same one as the screen for dimming. I know on mine usually the screen dims and the keyboard lights at about the same time. Prepare to be underwhelmed at the keyboard lighting. I have to be sitting in total darkness in order to appreciate the lit up lettering, and then it's too dark for me to see my fingers to type in my lap.

05-03-2006, 03:32 AM

It actually probably does use the same sensor for the keyboard as for the screen dimming...