>The trackpad clicker button (is this >the right name? the equivalent of the mouse button) on my 5300 has just >bitten the dust -- it's been acting wonky for some time, but now seems to >have quit definitively. Is this fixable, or do I have to track down a >replacement part, and if so what's needed -- a new palm rest?
Yeah, this happens pretty often on these machines, actually. This could be one (or both) of two problems, that I can think of. Your actual button mechanism has clicked itself to death or the plastics that support the button could be bent or broken. In the former case, you could try taking the mechanism itself apart and rebuilding/repairing it from the inside out. I did this to my 5300cs's reset button when it stopped working a while back. Turned out that a little lubricant inside the mechanism was all that was needed to get it working again. Otherwise, you'll need to find a new button to replace that old one. Someone else (I just tried Googling for this, but couldn't find it) used the power switch/button from a Duo's 14.4 modem card (I think, or was it a CUDA button? They are pretty much the same, anyway) and a small post as a substitute for the 5300's original wimpy button. According to the website (if memory serves), he was VERY satisfied with the new button's action and feel. In the latter case, you can try fixing the plastic by gluing some support to it, or by replacing the plastic altogether. In fact, the button plastics are all one piece - the springiness comes from the elasticity in the plastic itself. The button is fastened to the palm rest with two torx-8(?) screws and, with some imagination, forms a sort of a "C" shape - the top half of the C being the button as you see it in the palm rest when assembled, the side of the C being screwed into the palm rest, and the bottom of the C providing a contact point to depress the switch mechanism when you push down on the top of the C. Does that make sense? Anyway, you can replace the button all by itself if you can find a donor part. But it is probably easier just to find an entire palm rest assembly from another 5300 (or better yet, a 190) and swap it out. But, yes, you will have to take apart the 5300, at least as far as is required to remove the palm rest... Watch out for the trackpad data cable, it's short and easy to damage if you are working ... with too much enthusiasm, let's say. ;-) Undo the three torx screws holding in the keyboard. Gently pull up and out on the edge of the keyboard closest to the palm rest until the tabs at the opposite edge emerge from their housing. Then push the keyboard towards the screen and out of the way (you don't have to disconnect it for this procedure). Remove the two clutch covers - pull them up and out gently, it's a tight fit. They may require a little bending and flexing, but don't put too much force on them as they tend to crack. After you've removed these, rotate the edge of the palm rest closest to the keyboard up and towards you, directing the entire piece towards you and away from the keyboard. When it comes free, you will know. Be careful now, the data cable is still connected... It is connected to the mother board right next to the RAM card connector (if you've got one in, you'll probably have to take it out). Gently lift up on both ends of the connector and raise it about 1/8" Don't pull too far, as the piece can break and come off the connector, effectively ruining all hope you ever had for fixing the button on this machine. Gently pull the cable out of the connector. If it doesn't come free with the slightest pressure, you haven't completely "opened" the connector - lift up both edges of the connector until you can get the cable loose with minimal effort. At this point, you should congratulate yourself. Take a break, drink some iced tea, then set about fixing the button. Re-installing the palm rest is just the reverse. If you are going to do this anyway, why not track down a 190's palm rest assembly? 190s all had tapable trackpads, and that is a nice feature to have. They are 100% electrically and physically compatible with the 5300, so a simple swap is possible. I did this for my 5300ce and it works great! Hope that helps! Hope that helps! Drew -- -- <http://homepage.mac.com/alk/> "There are of course many problems connected with life, of which some of the most popular are `Why are people born?' `Why do they die?' `Why do they spend so much of the intervening time wearing digital watches?'" -- Douglas Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." -- PowerBooks is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PowerBooks list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
