My friend wants to use it as a surfing/email computer for his wife -- but doesn't want to shell out the $300+ for a new logic board installation to fix the VRAM. The only problem is that Safe Mode disables wireless networking! I searched in vain (via Google) for any tips to enable AirPort in Safe Mode. After a bit of thinking, I found a way to get wireless running in Safe Mode (on OS X 10.4, at least).
Open Terminal and enter:
$ sudo kextload /system/library/extensions/appleairport.kext
$ sudo kextload /system/library/extensions/appleairport2.kext
Then open the Network pane of System Preferences, and re-enable the "Show AirPort status on menu bar" option. This enabled us to "Turn AirPort on" -- and the PowerBook was ready to surf!

