iMac (slot loading) battery replacement difficulty scale

[jjoan]

My son-in law-has a slot-loading iMac G3. After rebooting it resets itself to 1970, I'm confident in my diagnosis: needs a new battery. I can pick up the battery at Radio Shack. However I'm a little worried about doing it myself. I can have it replaced for $30.00 plus the battery here at Ohio University. Any advice?
Joan

[krissel]

I put a new one in my sister's iMacDV 400 a couple years ago.

If you have a steady hand and patience you can do it. But you will have to take several parts off the bottom of the machine to get at the battery. It is in a location that is not that easy to reach if you have big hands. Also I suggest you either get one of those screwdrivers that has the little clamp on the end to hold the screw. I couldn't find mine so I stuck the end of the screws into a glue stick which gave them enough stickiness to adhere to the screwdriver while I threaded them back into their holes.

Kind of depends on how valuable your time is and whether you have $30 extra. On the other hand, it will also take time to bring the Mac to the repair place and wait for them to do it...


A few minutes later:

This rang a bell and I did a search:

Déjà vu all over again..

http://www.techsurvivors.net/forums/index....;f=1&t=7724

http://www.techsurvivors.net/forums/index....;f=6&t=7281

[RobW]

When the one in my iMac DV (450) needed to be replaced, I just paid $35 to have it done. Wasn't worth the effort (or aggravation) to do it myself. I went for a cup of coffee. When I came back, it was done.

[jjoan]

That's it. I'm thrilled with my decision to have someone else do it. Thank  you!
Joan

[krissel]

QUOTE(jjoan @ Sep 1 2006, 01:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm thrilled with my decision to have someone else do it.

 

[jjoan]

QUOTE(krissel @ Sep 1 2006, 01:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I put a new one in my sister's iMacDV 400 a couple years ago.

If you have a steady hand and patience you can do it. But you will have to take several parts off the bottom of the machine to get at the battery. It is in a location that is not that easy to reach if you have big hands. Also I suggest you either get one of those screwdrivers that has the little clamp on the end to hold the screw. I couldn't find mine so I stuck the end of the screws into a glue stick which gave them enough stickiness to adhere to the screwdriver while I threaded them back into their holes.

Kind of depends on how valuable your time is and whether you have $30 extra. On the other hand, it will also take time to bring the Mac to the repair place and wait for them to do it...


A few minutes later:

This rang a bell and I did a search:

Déjà vu all over again..

http://www.techsurvivors.net/forums/index....;f=1&t=7724

http://www.techsurvivors.net/forums/index....;f=6&t=7281

Oh dear, what's happened to my memory? I must need at least twenty more gigs of RAM upstairs. It's scary, seriously. My jaw dropped when I read myself asking the same question last year. Will I ever quit trying to save everyone's old macs?  

[gunug]

You can use the little trick with the hemostats or whatever to reach around and pull the battery in and out but I have quite often just taken the bottom and the RF shield both off; it's duck soup to change the battery after that.  Of course there is the extra value in being able to blow out all of the dust from the logic board (it's there believe me).  I think there are 4 screws holding the bottom on and maybe 5-6 holding the RF shield on; all phillips head screws on any iMac I've ever seen!

I must be careful never to bring up the same problem twice around you Krissel!  Or to say anything about thinking you've been asked to help out in some turmoil in China!