Unable to Boot iBook G4 Laptop
My friend recently bought a used iBook G4 (Model #A1054). It worked fine for about a month but now it won't boot. The computer powers on, makes the Apple chime sound and starts to boot. Even gets to the initial splash screen w/ the Apple logo and the the spinning clock circle (not sure what the official term is), but at some point the spinning circle freezes up and nothing else happens. Just sits there on the Apple logo screen.
I'm not sure what version of OS X is on this laptop. I tried to insert a Tiger DVD and held down the C key to boot from it, but just got a black screen. Also tried holding down Command S to go into Single-User mood, but just got to a black screen w/ NO command prompt. Also tried holding down Command-Option-P-R to reset the PRAM. Still nothing.
I was able to boot into Target mood and then ran Verify Disk (on Disk Utility) from my attached Powerbook. DU said the HD was OK.
Not sure what else to try??
I'm not sure what version of OS X is on this laptop. I tried to insert a Tiger DVD and held down the C key to boot from it, but just got a black screen. Also tried holding down Command S to go into Single-User mood, but just got to a black screen w/ NO command prompt. Also tried holding down Command-Option-P-R to reset the PRAM. Still nothing.
I was able to boot into Target mood and then ran Verify Disk (on Disk Utility) from my attached Powerbook. DU said the HD was OK.
Not sure what else to try??
ASKER
Tried rebooting and holding down Command-V to see the console messages. Here are the last 5 lines that displayed before it froze up:
ADB present:8c
mbinit: done
Security auditing service present
BSM auditing present
rooting via boot-uuid from /chosen: C64F2319-C621-336D-8F52-2F
W
ADB present:8c
mbinit: done
Security auditing service present
BSM auditing present
rooting via boot-uuid from /chosen: C64F2319-C621-336D-8F52-2F
W
I'd suggest backing up the data, reformatting it target disk mode, and then try reinstalling from the Tiger DVD. The tiger DVD could be bad
ASKER
OK. I reformatted under target disk mode. Ran a disk check after and it reported that the HD appears to be fine. Tried rebooting off Tiger DVD and still not getting to the Installation screen.
My DVD seems fine as I can read it when I put it into my Powerbook.
My DVD seems fine as I can read it when I put it into my Powerbook.
is this a retail version of Tiger or could it be possibly one that come with an Intel based Mac?
ASKER
Retail specifically for power PC
How much RAM do you have. Also, you are sure nothing is connected to the system ast the time of install
ASKER
I have no idea how much RAM is on this laptop. I've never been able to boot up to the desktop to find out. Am I sure nothing is connected to the system...?? Not sure what you mean?
It's very possible you don't have enough RAM to boot into Tiger. Can you boot off the original CD that came with the system?
ASKER
512 total. 256 onboard plus an extra 256 Mg DIMM in the memory expansion slot. Just out of curiosity, I swapped out the DIMM and replaced it w/ another spare 256 Mg chip I had on hand. Now it allowed me to reboot and get to the tiger install screen.
So it seems like that extra DIMM has maybe gone bad? I've never heard of DIMM going bad after a month of use, but I suppose anything is possible.
So it seems like that extra DIMM has maybe gone bad? I've never heard of DIMM going bad after a month of use, but I suppose anything is possible.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Maybe I didn't quite nail it down yet! I was able to fully install Tiger and rebooted successfully. However, then I went to download & install SW updates and it locked up 1/2 way through. Total lock-up...couldn't force quit & mouse pointer was frozen. So I forced a shut-down & rebooted. Now I'm back to my original problem and unable to boot up.
Could this be a bad motherboard issue?
Could this be a bad motherboard issue?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
OK. Could you please send a link for getting the manual update dmg and also for how to download & update the firmware version. I have never done either on a Mac. Thanks.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Thanks for the links. What exactly do you mean by "fix permissions with disk utility"? Sorry, but I'm a Windows guy. Have limited experience w/ Macs.
ASKER
This problem was never resolved. My friend went back to the guy that sold the iBook to her and traded it in for another system.
Thanks for the suggestions. I will assign points.
Thanks for the suggestions. I will assign points.
ASKER
This problem never got resolved, but I'm splitting points to acknowledge the effort made. Thanks!
ASKER