- Joined
- Aug 29, 2006
- Messages
- 217
- Reaction score
- 9
- Points
- 18
- Location
- Tampa, FL
- Your Mac's Specs
- Powerbook G4 12" 1.5GHz
Well, it was either Calculus II homework or working on my newest toys (my Apple G3 & G4) and guess what I chose...
After seeing a few people post "how-to" articles on making your graphite G4 clear, I was very interested. After all, a clear G4 is just plain cool. Add to that I had already ordered some blue LED fans to replace the fan in the power supply and side case fan, and it would look especially cool with clear sides. So I got to work...
Here is the test subject with CD/DVD drive dismounted.
From the side. The graphite G4 is one good-looking tower in my opinion, but I can make it better... I hope.
Here are the innards with side case fan, power supply, and CD/DVD drive removed. This is where it all starts...
To take the side panels off, simply remove the 4 hex screws and then pinch the plastic tabs on the side and pull the panel off. Pinching the middle thing is pretty hard, but I finally grabbed it just right and "BAM," it popped off with my heart pounding believing I had broken it. But all is well and I continue...
Here the motherboard is removed. There are 4 screws to remove for the logic board, then you have to take the heatsink and processor off. Carefully use a screwdriver to pry off the heatsink clips, then unscrew the 3 screws and pull the processor board directly upward. Be very, very careful. Then there are 3 standoffs where the processor screws into. These have to be removed; using a nutdriver worked perfectly.
The removed parts. Make sure to keep track of the screws. I like to screw them back into place after removing parts so I know for sure they will be in the right place.
Taking the pull tab off the side is a little difficult, so be very careful. I pried it off carefully with a small screwdriver. The motherboard-side panel comes off by removing the 4 hex screws and then the 2 screws above the tab clip thingie. You HAVE to remove the motherboard and processor to take this side panel off!
I used 91% isopropyl alcohol but the higher the percentage the easier it is to remove the paint. I tried finding 97 or 99% but I could only find 91% at K-mart. The grocery stores around me only carried the 70% rubbing alcohol. Be careful when handling the alcohol and melted paint. I let the sides soak in alcohol in the bath tub for about an hour.
While we wait for the alcohol to soak, I'll take you on a tour. Above is my PowerMac G3 that refuses to work! Grrr...
After seeing a few people post "how-to" articles on making your graphite G4 clear, I was very interested. After all, a clear G4 is just plain cool. Add to that I had already ordered some blue LED fans to replace the fan in the power supply and side case fan, and it would look especially cool with clear sides. So I got to work...
Here is the test subject with CD/DVD drive dismounted.
From the side. The graphite G4 is one good-looking tower in my opinion, but I can make it better... I hope.
Here are the innards with side case fan, power supply, and CD/DVD drive removed. This is where it all starts...
To take the side panels off, simply remove the 4 hex screws and then pinch the plastic tabs on the side and pull the panel off. Pinching the middle thing is pretty hard, but I finally grabbed it just right and "BAM," it popped off with my heart pounding believing I had broken it. But all is well and I continue...
Here the motherboard is removed. There are 4 screws to remove for the logic board, then you have to take the heatsink and processor off. Carefully use a screwdriver to pry off the heatsink clips, then unscrew the 3 screws and pull the processor board directly upward. Be very, very careful. Then there are 3 standoffs where the processor screws into. These have to be removed; using a nutdriver worked perfectly.
The removed parts. Make sure to keep track of the screws. I like to screw them back into place after removing parts so I know for sure they will be in the right place.
Taking the pull tab off the side is a little difficult, so be very careful. I pried it off carefully with a small screwdriver. The motherboard-side panel comes off by removing the 4 hex screws and then the 2 screws above the tab clip thingie. You HAVE to remove the motherboard and processor to take this side panel off!
I used 91% isopropyl alcohol but the higher the percentage the easier it is to remove the paint. I tried finding 97 or 99% but I could only find 91% at K-mart. The grocery stores around me only carried the 70% rubbing alcohol. Be careful when handling the alcohol and melted paint. I let the sides soak in alcohol in the bath tub for about an hour.
While we wait for the alcohol to soak, I'll take you on a tour. Above is my PowerMac G3 that refuses to work! Grrr...