iFixit - Answers With Device "PowerBook G4 Titanium Mercury"

PowerBook G4 Titanium Mercury: Linux on old Macs?

Wed, 25 Dec 2019 02:43:14 -0700

I want to extend the life of useful, easy to repair older Macs but need a modern OS for useful software. What I need to know is how practical installing Linux would be and which distros work best.

Chris: The latest version does not like my ROM but I am able to run 6.1 from the cd. After checking it out for a week or so if all goes well I will do a full install. Thanks to all for your input. Ralph

⟐ Answered December 25, 2019 at 2:43 MST

PowerBook G4 Titanium Mercury: No power

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 16:08:23 -0700

Dear all,

my beloved PowerBook Titanium does not want to power up. Battery is ok as well as power supply. Any idea?

⟐ Commented June 25, 2018 at 16:08 MST

PowerBook G4 Titanium Mercury: Upgrading Disc Drive

Sat, 19 Oct 2013 21:03:48 -0700

Howdy everyone!

Sorry if this is a common question, but there doesn't seem to be that much about this online.

I have a Mercury PowerBook that I'm actually using right now, and I'd like to upgrade its optical drive to something newer, more able, and less dinosaur-ish. Does anyone know if there's a way to get just that fancy framework from the Onyx models? I think you can apply that caddy to just about any newer drive, and you ought to be set, no? Thanks!

Tommy

⟐ Answer accepted October 19, 2013 at 21:03 MST

PowerBook G4 Titanium Mercury: Can I upgrade the cpu speed

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:30:05 -0700

can i upgrade the cpu speed from 500 to 1.33

⟐ Answered October 15, 2010 at 20:30 MST

PowerBook G4 Titanium Mercury: What motherboards will fit

Mon, 10 Feb 2014 05:03:19 -0700

looking to upgrade motherboard in my mothers laptop she has a 400mhz board and wants a higher speed what motherboards will work in it

⟐ Answer accepted February 10, 2014 at 5:03 MST

PowerBook G4 Titanium Mercury: Ask for the logic board circuit diagram of 400Mhz model

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 19:45:22 -0700

I have a 400Mhz machine. I'm trying to repair a damaged machine with too high voltage. Although it can be turned on, there is a hidden injury. Can anyone provide the circuit diagram and resistance specifications for maintenance?Please provide a link that can be downloaded in China.

Model:M5884

Logic board:820-1251-A

我有一台400mhz机型。我正在尝试维修一台电压过高损坏的机器，虽然可以开机，但是有暗伤，有人可以提供检修的电路图与电阻规格吗。请提供一个可以在中国下载的链接

Model:M5884

Logic board:820-1251-A

⟐ Edited by author February 08, 2026 at 19:45 MST

PowerBook G4 Titanium Mercury: PowerBook doesnt want to enter Open Firmware mod

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 07:16:10 -0700

Recently I bought PowerBook G4 Titanium very cheap and I want it for my personal collection. PowerBook was sold as “for parts”, so unfortunately I do not know much about its hardware condition (from the outside, it looks almost like brand new, almost no cosmetic dents or scratches).

When I power it on, only blinking question mark folder shows up, which means there is no OS, so I decided to open it up. I find out, that there is no hard drive inside, but I at least wanted to try run OS X installation. Since I dont own OS X installation CD and I dont have device with DVD drive, I decided to boot instalation of OS X from USB. I created OS X Tiger installation USB using TransMac and find guide which tell that I need to enter Open Firmware by pressing Command + Option + O + F and then Power button to allow boot from USB. But there is a problem. When I do it, nothing happen, PowerBook again shows only a questionmark folder. Also Option + PowerButton to see boot priority doesnt work.

What could be wrong? Would startup key combinations work, if I use external USB keyboard? (since I dont know if the build-in keyboard works). Couldnt be a problem that there is no hard drive inside?

Thank you very much for every answer

⟐ Commented September 06, 2021 at 7:16 MST

PowerBook G4 Titanium Mercury: Can I swap logic board for a 667 Onyx one?

Sun, 20 May 2018 08:58:57 -0700

I have been given a 667 Mhz VGA logic board, and was wondering if I am able to use it with my 500 mhz Titanium. ie, swap the existing 500 mhz logic board for the 667 mhz one.

⟐ Answer accepted May 20, 2018 at 8:58 MST

PowerBook G4 Titanium Mercury: Purchased in 2001, upgraded memory, hard drive and OS. Hinge/wires broken

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 13:26:31 -0700

PowerBook g4 titanium purchased in 2001, upgraded memory, hard drive and OS. Left hinge and display wiring shot but it still chimes. Located in tact lower case and display. Seller removed his hard drive and suggested a backup clock battery was the reason it shows no signs of life. I put my hard drive in it. What should I do next?