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Replacing an iMac G4 screen bezel

Posted: September 16th, 2011, 12:00 pm
by kimtoufectis
My new-to-me 17" iMac G4 arrived with a broken bezel. UsedMac.com sent a good-looking replacement, but half of the plastic tabs that are supposed to clip into the frame are missing, and some of those that remain are broken. The bezel rests in place now without being secured; it sits tight at each corner but bows out maybe a sixteenth of an inch at the middle of each of the four sides.

I'd like to secure it permanently. If it were a new machine I'd hesitate to do this, but with a 9.5 year-old machine I'm not expecting to attempt future repairs and having invested only $180 including wifi and speakers, I'm open to taking a chance or two despite my limited (non-existent) hardware repair track record.

So I need advice on the best way to secure the bezel. I'm thinking a slow-setting glue at the projections, possibly combined with some double-stick tape where the tabs are broken. I'd like the repair to outlast this aging (if still stylish) machine, to keep costs low, and to have it look right when I'm done. Is there a glue to use that won't harm the remaining plastic tabs, adhere to both the plastic and metal, and last? I'm presuming that a quick-drying glue would not be a good choice as I want it to adhere evenly all the way around, about 50 inches of edge, and I certainly don't want any to seep out to the screen. Alternatively is double-sided tape alone a better approach, or should I combine the two approaches? Where can I find a good adhesive for this project?

And how do I actually perform the repair? I'm figuring on placing a soft towel on a table, then the bezel face down, then tilting the machine over to let the screen frame rest down onto the back side of the bezel, and not moving it until the glue sets up.

Short of "replace your whole screen assembly" is there an alternative fix that could work better?

Thanks--
--Kim

Re: Replacing an iMac G4 screen bezel

Posted: September 16th, 2011, 2:45 pm
by Turboladdade
Why don't you just try a thin strip of good double-stick tape all the way up, down and around the edges? That way you can still get it apart if you have to.

I wouldn't consider gluing this.

Re: Replacing an iMac G4 screen bezel

Posted: October 16th, 2011, 8:29 pm
by davidchristmass
Because it is a Mac? I would not consider glue either, what you should do, is call Apple HQ, and ask for the paid, one off support incident service. Even though its G4, it still carries the Apple badge. Apple use service contract schemes for new items, and these use back to base centres for repair issues of that sort. You basically have two options, if you are self support, (because you are in a large organisation, supporting many macs, and are in a qualified postiton to support, they will give you access to the vendor for parts for that item.) If you are not, self support, then they will give you the details of the place that is contracted to carry support of that item in your region. As you aware, the US use task demarkation, ie Fordism, so the bloke that fixes monitor plastics, ain't the same bloke that fixes ipods.

After you pay the support fee, they will either arrange a one off support incident, or they will provide the information needed to obtain the part required.

Those are your MAIN options, you can also, per chance, look out for a product out their that has the same part on it, ie, say you see a Sony tele with the part on it, the models different, but the bezel part is the same, you can of course go to their spares and order the compatible part from that point. But as for the exact options, you won't get disclosure of that information, what so ever, from Apple HQ. First they really don't want their innovations cloned, and information about specifics of supplies are kept close to chest. It is pretty basic really, if you want the right part, the place to go, is the tech centres at Apple, and pay for the engineers support one off event incident.

Alright?–

Re: Replacing an iMac G4 screen bezel

Posted: October 16th, 2011, 10:41 pm
by davidchristmass
I just had another thought, and, having worked in the business of engineering all my life, I would like to ask why is it, people always ask such obvious questions about Apple Computer kit, but, don't ask the same thing of other makes of computer?

Here is a question, I am a real fan fo the very old Jupiter Ace, I can't really recall to date, what the processor of it used whether it was a Z80 of 6502, BUT you know, I would really like to find one, and when it arrives, order a few new buttons so they don't look grubby, can any one advise where I might get the odd flange or two from?