HELP!!! PowerBook G4 won't start up!!

okay, my computer was working fine, until i downloaded iTunes 8.0.1 After installation, I shut my computer off. When I turned it back on, it stayed on the gray screem for 20 minutes before shutting itself down. when i tried to restart again, it went to the gray screen and stayed for 8 seconds before shutting off. the battery will still charge. the computer does not stay on long enough to put in the disks, and there is no start-up chime. HELP!

Booting with the Option key depressed causes OS X to present a selection of boot volumes; that's normal. The left arrow re-scans for boot volumes; the right one boots from the selected volume.
Since your PB won't boot from the internal disk, you'll have to get it to boot from another volume, preferably your original installation CD/DVD. Insert the CD and reboot while holding down the C key. Next, go to Disk Utility and choose Repair Disk.
Also, if you have another Mac with FireWire, you can connect the two and boot your PB in FireWire Target Disk mode (boot while holding the T key), then use the other computer to run Disk Utility.
It may or may not be able to repair your internal hard disk. If Disk Utility can't, you can resort to more powerful utilities like Disk Warrior. Unfortunately no software utility is capable of repairing a hard disk that's physically failed, as all mechanical devices eventually do.
Good luck!

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PowerBook G4 - Won't Start Up - 3 Strange Beeps then just LED flashes and sudden death - black screen.

PowerBook G4 - Won't Start Up - 3 Strange Beeps then just LED flashes and sudden death - black screen.
Prior that the powerbook also couldn't start but I could see the Apple logo, so via fire-wire (holding T at start up) I backed up the hard disk.
Check via DiskToolPro the structure, defragmented. Via DiskWarrior rebuild the directory
and finally not been able to access the drive I reformatted the drive via fire-wire drive.
Re-started the powerbook holding C to boot up from DVD - nothing
Re-started again and it give me one long beep and black screen. An indication that my 1gig RAM is bad or gone (?) and the DVD is stuck inside.
Bought new one 1 gig, installed it and now I'm getting only three beeps.
I tried all, changed the slots several times and nothing.
I tried more as:
                         c -- to boot from CD (again while the DVD is still inside and I cannot get it out)
                         cmd-opt-p-r -- to Zap the PRAM,
                         cmd-opt-n-v -- to clear NV RAM,
                         cmd-opt-o-f -- to boot into open firmware … and nothing. The DVD is in and I have
                                                black screen with three beeps and flashing LED.
Do I have to replace the Logic Board?   (Anyone has a spare one ?)
But it is the faulty Logic board?
Could anyone help me out? Please.
I'm retired and I cannot afford a new laptop - and this powerbook was a great, great horse for me until that horrible set of three beeps.
Thank you in advance for any advice and help.
Martin
THE SPECS OF MY POWERBOOK:
Model Family:
Powerbook G4 Aluminum
Processor:
1.67GHz G4 (PowerPC 7457B)
Manufacturer:
Motorola
# of CPUs:
1
Codename:
Apollo 7
Display:
Size:
15.2"
Finish:
Matte
Resolution:
1280x854
Backlight:
CCFL
Base Memory:
1gig PC2700 SODIMM
Brand:
Apple
Wireless:
802.11b/g
Color(s):
Aluminum
Original OS:
Mac OS X 10.6.3
Battery:
50-watt-hour removable lithium-ion battery
Graphics:
ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (64MB)
Base Storage:
80GB 5400RPM EIDE 2.5"
Optical Drive:
8x Superdrive
Model Number:
A1106
Sales Number(s):
M9677LL/A
Machine Number(s):
PowerBook5,6
Dimensions:
13.7 in x 9.5 in x 1.1 in
Weight:
5.6 lb
Production:
Jan 31, 2005 - Oct 19, 2005
Factory:
China
Production Year:
2005
Production Week:
35 (September)
Production Number:
4240

But it is the faulty Logic board?
There was a known issue with LBs in 15-inch PowerBooks with 1.5 and 1.67Ghz processors in which one RAM slot would fail. There once was a repair extension program that fixed the problem at no cost, but it is long-expired.
The problem with seeking a used logic board for these models is that so many had their boards replaced that it increases the chances of the boards in the used/pulled markets having the same problem you have now. The replacement program also came close to exhausting the supply of new boards,
If it turns out to be a bad LB and you can't find a replacement, consider how used computer pricing works: A used computer is worth hugely more in parts than if bought as a working unit. I.E, you can probably find a working PowerBook that will cost less than the logic bard alone. It also possible to find a used MacBook Pro for less that a replacement LB.
If you tell us your approximate geographic location, we can see what's available nearby. I'm also retired, and and visiting my wife's family this week so have even more time than usual to help you search.
Regards,
Allan Jones

Help! Mac won't start. I hear the ding and see the apple logo but the bar below it never goes further than an inch before the screen goes dark. I have tried unplugging.

Help! Mac won't start. I hear the ding and see the apple logo but the bar below it never goes further than an inch before the screen goes dark. I have tried unplugging.

Hello Templemeads,
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
For more information, take a look at:
Troubleshooting: My computer won't turn on
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1367
Have a nice day,
Mario

PowerBook G4 won't start up please help...

Hello everybody ho are you doing? Sorry for the long post I'm just in panic mode now because I can't live without my computer
Ok here's my problem, my powerbook g4 will not start up now. How did this happen? I was using safari and the the apple logo came up told me an update was available do I downloaded the update I believe it was for iPhoto, then I went to the apple button, restart. It took me to the point where you hear the tone and then gives the apple logo without the spining sign after about 3 seconds anoter screen come up reads "you need to restart your computer. Hold the power button for several seconds or press the restart button". This message is also in french and two other languages. There's also a logo in the background like a power button sign.

Because replacing the DC-In board is such a pain, be sure to test with another battery before tackling the board replacement.
Yes, the high- and low-res 1.67s use different PRAM batteries:
Low-res PRAM battery
High-res PRAM battery
Powerbook PRAM batteries are rechargeable. Yours is drained now because it isn't being recharged, but that doesn't mean it won't take a charge again when you get your charging system working properly. If I were you, I'd return the one you bought immediately if you can get a full refund or credit for doing so. If a full credit or refund isn't available, then return it only if it's the wrong one and useless to you. If you bought the right one, keep it, but try to diagnose the actual cause of your problem ASAP so that if you don't need a new PRAM battery, you'll still have a chance to return the one you bought before it's too late, at least for a partial credit.

Powerbook G4 won't start up

OK, I know others have had a similar issue but I haven't been able to find a solution to this and desperately need some help. My Powerbook G4 with Leopard seems to be dead and I haven't backed it up recently (yes. I know). Yesterday I installed the latest security update, this seemed to go fine other than causing an apparent problem with spell checker. Then I tried to shut it down in the usual way and it didn't work, just stuck on the desktop screen with the whirly grey wheel. After an hour I gave up and held down the power button. Now of course it won't start up, just gives me a grey screen and the grey wheel again. I have inserted the Leopard install disk and used disk utility to repair the hard drive. It said it "appears to be OK". It still won't start though. And I can't even eject the install disk now. Can anyone help??????

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
First off, this is how to eject:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2179
If this doesn't work, your machine may need a new clock battery from an authorized service center.
Furthermore, you will need to recover your data once you are able to boot off the optical drive, either using Target Disk Mode:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
Or Startup Manager:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1310
with a data recovery program such as Prosoft Data Rescue II, Subrosasoft Filesalvage, or Boomerang, Boomerang. These must be purchased from an Apple software reseller.
Once your data is recovered, we can try to repair the hard drive with Alsoft Disk Warrior.
If that doesn't work, you may need to replace your hard drive.
In the future never install new software without backing your data*:
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.
Message was edited by: a brody

HELP! Macbook won't start, just gives start chime then repeats 3 bleeps??

Hi, I have a white Mac Book 13" bought December 2008 (sorry, don't know much more of the spec). It has always worked fine but yesterday when I started it (fully charged), the start up chime came on and then nothing on screen and the laptop immediately starts bleeping 3 beeps in a row, pause, then 3 bleeps etc etc. I have tried Apple, control power button (as recommended on forum) and the PRAM reset (also as recommended). I have checked battery, nothing else is plugged in. Yesterday after trying all of this I tried putting in the start up disc to see if I could reinstall but nothing changed it and the disc is now stuck in there. Somebody please help, what's wrong with it? Thanks!

Three beeps may suggest a problem with the RAM. You can remove one RAM stick and then the other and toggle which slot they go into. If your Mac still won't start in the different RAM configurations, you may need to see a specialist for additional diagnosis.

HELP! MacBook won't start...

I have what seems to be a serious problem.
Aften my MacBook crashing and me shutting it down using the power button, it won't start up. When I turn it on the only thing showing is a grey screen with a question mark on top of a folder-icon flashing.
The manual says something about the computer not being able to connect to the system software, however, to me it seems more like not connecting to the harddisc at all.
What could be the problem? And what can I do about it?
I'm worried about data on my harddisc - is it in danger?

Good morning,
Hate to give bad news in the morning, however, from what you are saying it appears your hard drive has died.
You will want to make an appointment with your [local Apple Store's Genius Bar|http://www.apple.com/retail] as soon as possible to get verification of warranty status of your drive, however, please do remember that Apple does not handle Data Recovery.
Hopefully you were following the good practices of computing and have a recent backup of your data!
Hope this helps! 
David

Help! Computer won't start

Hi!
I have an iMac. All of a sudden it started going really slow while browsing the internet. I shut it down, and now it won't start.
Here's what happens:
Grey screen
Apple logo
Spinning wheel
blue screen
Spinning wheel
that's it. Does anyone know what I can do? I tried zapping the ram with PR-CMN-OPT. Didn't work.
Help much appreciated.

Can you boot from your Install DVD? Just after the language panel comes up and you select English for example, go into Tools -> Disk Utility and take a look to see if your internal hard disk shows up in the left column. If it does, Verify Permissions, Verify Disk, Repair etc.

Help my mac won't start up all I have is a blue screen!

Last night my mac failed a security update, which I thought was strange but didn't take too much notice. Now it won't start up all I have is a light blue screen and a grey spinning circle
Help!

Nunu,
Ended up re-installing OS X all seems ok now although itunes won't work. Have downloaded system updates but now quicktime isn't current enought!
ARRRRRHHHH!
Well since you have a 450 I would suggest you keep a clone of your updated hard drive. That way if something happens you can just clone back from your update and not have to go through all the updating.
I've done that with my iBook and it's now crashed 3 times so it's sitting here waiting for me to put in a new hard drive. I have two clones of it so no problem.
Richard

Help ipad 1 won't start up ?

My Ipad 1 won't start up, after the apple sign I just get a scrolling circle in the middle of the screen. It eventually switches itself off. Any ideas what I can do or is it finished ?

Try this - Reset the iPad by holding down on the Sleep and Home buttons at the same time for about 10-15 seconds until the Apple Logo appears - ignore the red slider - let go of the buttons. (This is equivalent to rebooting your computer.) No data/files will be erased.
Frozen or unresponsive iPad
Resolve these most common issues:
    •    Display remains black or blank
    •    Touch screen not responding
    •    Application unexpectedly closes or freezes
http://www.apple.com/support/ipad/assistant/ipad/
iPad Frozen, not responding, how to fix
http://appletoolbox.com/2012/07/ipad-frozen-not-responding-how-to-fix/
iPad Frozen? How to Force Quit an App, Reset or Restart Your iPad
http://ipadacademy.com/2010/11/ipad-frozen-how-to-force-quit-an-app-reset-or-res tart-your-ipad
Black or Blank Screen on iPad or iPhone
http://appletoolbox.com/2012/10/black-or-blank-screen-on-ipad-or-iphone/
What to Do When Your iPad Won't Turn On
http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Troubleshooting/ss/What-To-Do-When-Your-Ipad-Wo-No t-Turn-On.htm
iOS: Not responding or does not turn on
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3281
Home button not working or unresponsive, fix
http://appletoolbox.com/2013/04/home-button-not-working-or-unresponsive-fix/
Fixing an iPad Home Button
http://tinyurl.com/om6rd6u
iPad: Basic troubleshooting
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3274
 Cheers, Tom

Help my laptop won't start up - I just get a white screen

My laptop won't start up - I've tried restarting it a few times but all I get is a white screen. Any suggestions?

My laptop won't start up - I've tried restarting it a few times but all I get is a white screen. Any suggestions?

Urgent help! G5 won't start up!

My G5 won't start up. I have resetted the PRAM thing with no effect.
Inside, there is a yellow LED with the word "trickle" on. I assume this means it is getting power, but it won't start up. Nothing happens when you press the button.
I urgently need this working ASAP. What can do?
Thanks.

When you press the power button, does anything at all happen? Do fans attempt to start or boot tone or video of any kind?
Verify power outlet is good. Actually this gets missed more then you might think. Does your power cord work on any other device?
Check that diagnostic LED 4 is on yellow when the power cord is connected. Press power button. Fans should go to hi when clear deflector is removed, If not - Replace power cord.
Check that diagnostic LED 3 is on and red when the power cord is connected and the air deflector is
removed. This indicates power is OK and within Regulation.
Reset the logic board by removing power Cord for TWO minutes or more.
Verify power supply cables are fully connected.
Verify that processors are properly seated. Check diagnostic LED 1 and/or LED 6.
Verify that processors’ mounting screws are properly tightened.
Reseat front panel board. Notice here it says reSEAT, not replace.
Test whether the front panel board or power button is at fault. Remove the installed front
panel board and swap it for a known-good front panel board if you have one. If you don't you can continue this process but each next step is costly and you may not have the parts to try these.
Replace front panel board.
Replace power button.
Replace power supply.
Replace logic board.
If you have a voltmeter, you can check power supply by first using very small probes on leads in order to insert beside wires on PS connector at logic board.

Uhhhhh, my Powerbook G4 won't start! Help!

Hello, I had a Powerbook G4 laptop a few months ago that worked well and everything was fine, that was until I broke the screen. Then, about a week ago, I found another without a broken screen but a bad Logic Board. So I figured I could swap Logic Boards (both looked exactly the same, same model) and It would work good as new. Boy was I wrong. I've tried everything, and yet I can't get it to turn on. I have performed maentenance on macs before and I am quite tech saavy so to speak, but for whatever reason this will not turn on. I really need help. Any ideas?
I know the Logic board from my older laptop works, I just didn't have a screen to use it. Now I do, but it won't boot. I have 2 batteries (both good), charger, hard drive, ram, and everything that would normally come in a powerbook. Thanks for anybody who could help me troubleshoot and fix this, I've been needing a computer for some time now and I was hoping this would do the trick. Thanks!

Well I tried this but still nothing. I am really unsure about what else to do. I know all the parts work and that they are in the right places. Are there connectors that may be causing issues for it to not get power? Like, the power plug on the back isn't getting a connection to the logic board?
Another thing is, I don't know if my battery is dead or if I need a new one. Same for the charger. Will it turn on without a battery? Like, wiyh just the charger?
Thanks
Oh and yes I have checked the connector from the keyboard to the logic board. Is there another connection that could be causing this issue? i.e. power button isnt connected?

PLEASE HELP-my Powerbook G4 won't start up!

I have no idea what happened to it. I took it to Hungary where I used it for a year. Everything was fine until I moved back home.
Now, when I try to turn it on, it beeps 3X, the sleep light on the front is constantly on, blinking 4X occasionally, the screen is black, and nothing else happens.
The only thing I did with it was move it around a bit since security at London Heathrow was a disaster. What’s the matter with it? Thanks for any help!

Same exact thing happened to me. After about an hour on the phone with Apple Care (they had me reset the PMU and PRAM, but did not instruct me to reset the RAM card), I was told that it might be that the RAM card is defective, so I should try having it replaced. I had it replaced by a certified apple technician (my 512 MB card was removed and replaced with a 128 MB card that I had not been using), and I was told that it was working again. When I brought it home, it worked for a few minutes, then the computer froze completely and would not respond. I had to do a force quit and restart, and when it started up the same thing happened all over again with the black screen followed by 3 beeping sounds and a blinking activity light (4x repeatedly).
I was told by Apple that if changing the RAM card did not solve the problem, it may have something to do with the logic board. I hope this is not the case, and I will have to wait until Tuesday to speak with the technician who did the original RAM card replacement.
I have not tried doing the steps recommended in the first reply in the order that was recommended. I wonder if I should try that on my own to see if that will help, or if it is better to wait and see what the technician recommends?? I would rather not have to wait til tuesday though!
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.1) 15" alluminum

Powerbook G4 won't start up totally! HELP!

SO i reset the computer by removing battery and holding start button of 5 minutes. The computer will start up and I get the chime, the apple and the spinning circle. Then the screen goes blue with only the spinning circle and nothing happens. What do I do???

if the install completes on the external drive, you could start from it by holding "option" key on restart, startup manger window will show up and you can just click on the external drive to start from.
once it starts, internal hard drive may or may not mount on the desktop.
if the internal drive is badly corrupted, window could come up asking if you want to erase the drive, do not do that.
if that happens, Disk Warrior is the next step, it is a separate program, retails for about $100.
most files by default will be in you user home folder on the original drive,
email files will be in the Mail folder inside your user home library
if the drive is erased, 3rd party applications will be lost, only the applications that came with the original discs will be reinstalled
Message was edited by: arnie

HELP!!! PowerBook G4 won't start up!!

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