Could not read boot block (input/output errror) powerbook g4

Question

Hello
My friend gave me a powerbook g4 and a copy of osx lion, I would like to install it but the internal hardive is not available within the "select Destination" area of the  installation process. I tried to repair the disk which is labelled Disk0s1, but shortly after it is underway i recieve this message.
**/dev/disk0s1 could not read boot block (input/output error) Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit. 1 non HFS volume checked, 1 volume could not be repaired because of an error.
Within disk utilities the Disk01s is grey, I can try to repair it but the above error occurs. Do you know what the problem is and how I can fix it?

Answer 1

Since you are going to install system fresh, it sounds like, you should erase the drive.  Boot from the installer disc, then select the language but do not start the installer.  From the menu bar, you should have either an Applications or an Installer menu. From one of the menus, you can then start Disk Utility.
From the drives and volumes pane, select the internal drive hardware listing. 
This will now allow you to partition or erase the disc.  Now click the Erase tab and select Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the format and then click the "Erase" button.  You can name the volume that will actually be created, like for instance "MacintoshHD" or whatever you want.)
Once the erase has completed, you need to check the information for the hard drive at the bottom of the window.  Be sure that the partition scheme is Apple Partition Map.  If for some reason it is something else, like GUID, you won't be able to install MacOS on it.  You will need to click the Partition tab, click the "Options..." button and select Apple Partition Map, then click the "Partition" button.
Once this is done, then you can quit Disk Utility and you should be able to install Tiger on that HD.