Ibook damage

Hello everyone
I have recently purchased an ibook G3 (cheap), with known damage and I have a few questions. First, apparently, the person who owned it, her dog got caught up in the cord and it fell onto a slate floor and dragged across it. After that mishap, the hinge was bent on the screen and it powers up but only has a blinking folder/question mark and nothing else. I dont have this in my possession yet, but I have taken ibook apart before so thats not a problem, just time consuming. What would cause the folder blinking? Hard drive issue or logic board issue? I am hoping its a hard drive issue myself. I know i got the blinking folder of death when my hard drive started making a LOUD noise...any help here would be great, so I can at least troubleshoot. When I get the ibook, I will boot up from the CD or try and then get smart status...
Wendy

Hello
I finally got the ibook. Fired it up from the install disk and it booted. I did a HD check with disk warrior and disk utility, they both say the HD is ok and verfied. So I tried to reinstall OSX kept coming back with an error. I tried installing OS9 with errors. Can I use the software restore discs to see what happens? and if so, do i use all 4 restore discs? The logic board checks out fine as well, did a hardware test. The drive appears to have directory problems here is what it said before I finally got a new partition done:
Verify and Repair disk Macintosh HD
Checking HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Invalid key length
Volume check failed.
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit
1 HFS volume checked
1 volume could not be repaired because of an error
Any ideas, or is the HD done?
Thanks
Wendy

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Dropped iBook G4 (no damage), Now Kernel Panics

I recently dropped my 4 year old iBook G4 (while it was sleeping) onto a wood table from about a foot up. When I tried restarting it, I kept getting kernel panics. So I completely reinstalled the OS (Leopard). Now I can do most tasks on the computer, but I still get kernel panics on a regular basis. I think there is clearly a hardware issue, although there is apparently NO physical damage to the machine. There is nothing wrong with the hard drive, which is the only mechanical device that could possibly be damaged by a drop, right? Reinstalling Leopard didn't really solve the problem. (I'm looking for an Apple Hardware Test disc to see if that will help diagnose the problem...)
Any words of advice? Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Here are the details for the kernel panic (after I reinstalled 10.5 -- I haven't updated to 10.5.6 yet):
Sat Jan 17 10:06:16 2009
panic(cpu 0 caller 0x000AE584): "Uncorrectable machine check: pc = 00000000319D0E88, msr = 0000000000149030, dsisr = 42000000, dar = 00000000067E0000\n" " AsyncSrc = 0000000000000000, CoreFIR = 0000000000000000\n" " L2FIR = 0000000000000000, BusFir = 000000000000ff00\n"@/SourceCache/xnu/xnu-1228/osfmk/ppc/trap.c:975
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0x0009AD18 0x0009B6BC 0x00029DC4 0x000AE584 0x000AE804 0x000B22F8
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x30a6d500)
PC=0x319D0E88; MSR=0x00149030; DAR=0x067E0000; DSISR=0x42000000; LR=0x319D0F70; R1=0x305CFBA0; XCP=0x00000008 (0x200 - Machine check)
Backtrace:
0x00000000 0x31A29B18 0x31A2A484 0x319CA3D0 0x00355B40 0x003547BC
0x00354E58 0x000AFE54
Kernel loadable modules in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.driver.AirPortBrcm43xx(302.25.10)@0x319c0000->0x31aecfff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family(200.7)@0x300ee000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.4)@0x29e84000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily(1.6.0)@0x3000b000
Exception state (sv=0x29d94500)
PC=0x00000000; MSR=0x0000D030; DAR=0x00000000; DSISR=0x00000000; LR=0x00000000; R1=0x00000000; XCP=0x00000000 (Unknown)
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task
Mac OS version:
9A581
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 9.0.0: Tue Oct 9 21:37:58 PDT 2007; root:xnu-1228~1/RELEASE_PPC
Message was edited by: geoffmyers1
Message was edited by: geoffmyers1

A drop could damage the motherboard causing a break or intermittent break. As the iBook heats and cools the connection can be intermittent causing it to work and fail randomly.

IBook screen damaged

My son has a 5 year old white iBook G4 and the screen is damaged and you can't see anything on it. He needs to get his work. Can you hook up an external monitor to these models so he can continue to work?

Hi, and welcome to Apple Support Communities.
Yes,you can use an external monitor. You will need an Apple VGA Display Adapter.

Damaged iBook. ultra dark screen.

Hi,
I recently recieved an iBook G3 that was "dead". I charged up the battery and noticed that it wasn't dead it the screen was just super dark (hard to even see cursor) and the keyboard was malfunctioning (I think it may have had water damage). I was able to hook up my usb keyboard and access the control panel for brightness but I found brightness was already cranked. Any ideas? Any cheap fixes? Thanks.
-Sam

I think MattTillard is on the right track. It seems that the backlight behind the screen is not working correctly or maybe at all. You could get a new LCD screen, I'm not sure if you can get the backlight separately. The keyboard is a pretty simple part to replace yourself. But, you may have difficulty finding these parts cheaply just laying around Seattle. The Apple retail stores, and probably the Mac Store on 45th, will not sell you the screen or backlight but they may be willing to sell you the keyboard to replace yourself.
If you plug in an external display with the mini-VGA to VGA adapter that should have come with the iBook and a USB keyboard, you can probably continue to use the iBook without repairing anything. If you need a portable computer, though, you may have to decide if it's worth something like $300 to replace the screen yourself.
-Doug

My ibook g4 won't start anymor from the harddisk. so I tried to reinstall the system from the orginial system cd. Doesn't work. It says the system cd is damaged. What should I do?

my ibook g4 won't start anymor from the harddisk. so I tried to reinstall the system from the orginial system cd. Doesn't work. It says the system cd is damaged. What should I do?

I would question that error message if the Mac OS X 10.5 DVD doesn't work, either.
What error message(s) did you get with the Mac OS X 10.5 DVD? Is the Mac OS X 10.5 DVD the full retail install DVD, an upgrade DVD, or a DVD that came with another Mac?

Can external display damage the iBook

I'm using my 14'iBook most of the time in my office and thinking now to connect the iBook to my LCD screen (via a KVM). Does anyone know if mirroring the screen on a external monitor can do any harm to the iBook?. By example due to overheating or draining to much current.
Thanks for your thoughts

Hi Frank,
Your iBook came with a video adapter and has the
ability to mirror the display. I don't think Apple
would have included those if it would cause harm.
When I'm on vacation, I regularly use mine as a DVD
player and have it connected to a TV. If you'll not
be using the builtin display, just turn down the
brightness.
John
Hi John,
Just read this post and was wondering if i connect to my 19" TFT monitor then dim the brightness right down will this not affect the picture on the external screen?
Pinkster
iBook G4 x 2, 1.07Gig & 800mhz , 384MB Ram. Mac OS X (10.4.3) 1 Gig Shuffle, Airport Extreme and no HAIR!!

IBooks Author.....Download error. What does this mean? "The product distribution file could not be verified. It may be damaged or was not signed."

This is happening when I try to download ibooks. It just doesn't work?

Try this...
Quit the App Store if it's open.
Open the Finder. From the Finder menu bar top of your screen click Go > Go to Folder
Type this exactly as you see it here:
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration
Click Go
Move the NetworkInterfaces.plist file from the SystemConfiguration folder to the Trash.
Relaunch the App Store and try downloaing Mountain Lion.
Might also need to disable anti virus software and turn off the Firewall in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall.

Using hard drive from my damaged iBook G4 as a Web Sharing server?

I had the idea that the old hard drive which is now housed in a Pluscom enclosure could be used as a Web Sharing device if I had the right kind of connector. Is that possible?

I realised myself that this is not possible.

Old ibook has died; Can I get my thesis off hard-drive and on to macbook?

Howdy,
My trusty old ibook has finally died (which is understandable; it is some six years old and has been around the world with me, and has served me well)... however, i didn't have the foresight to get some very important files (my thesis among them) backed up elsewhere...
When I attempt to turn on the ibook, the screen stays black, i hear one or two chirps, and then nothing... if i put my ear close, i can hear the extremely soft sound of something spinning (the harddrive, i assume).
I have attempted to access the ibook harddrive by connecting it to my new macbook via firewire and starting up the ibook while pressing "T", but to no avail; it does not appear on the macbook as a disk, or anything at all.
Is there anything else I can try to access the important data on my ibook, and transfer files onto my macbook? Thank you so much for any help and advice... it will be much appreciated!
love,
dewfall

Dewfall:
Ronda's suggestion to try Disk Warrior is a good idea. Actually there are three excellent directory maintenance and repair utilities (including Disk Warrior): Tech Tool Pro, Disk Warrior and DriveGenius
These all do a great job of repairing directories and have revived many a seemingly dead HDD. TechTool Pro and DriveGenius do a number of other things, and even they you purchase one of these and it does not work, it is a good tool to have in your toolkit. I own both TechTool Pro and Disk Warrior and use one or the other at least monthly.
However, your main concern at the moment is to rescue your data, and if the drive is viable at all, placing it in an enclosure and connecting to another mac will help. The directions linked in my earlier post are very explicit and helpful. The enclosure linked there is the best price I have seen anywhere, and it does have the more reliable Oxford 911+ chipset. If you decide to remove the HDD here are few tips you may find helpful:
• Print out the ifixit directions as well as the screw guide ahead of time.
• Be sure you have the right tools. You don't want to damage the screw heads or you may never get them out. And the Torx 8 screw driver is critical.
• I use small medicine cups one for the screws in each step. I nest them so that the last ones out and the first to go back in are on top. You can use an ice cube tray, egg carton, dixie cups etc. (Some users report cutting up the screw guide and placing the applicable section in each container.)
• Be very careful pulling out leads. Hold the lead as close to the plug as possible and wiggle (the plug ) to loosen its grip. Don’t hold the wires and pull as that can damage the cable, or worse, in some instances pull the wires out of the plug. Use needle nose pliers if you can access the plug, or nudge the plug with a small instrument to help loosen its grip.
• Use force gently in removing parts. Separating upper and lower case takes some doing. Use a plastic tool (spudge) so as not to leave marks.
• Refer to the screw guide when reassembling computer. Putting longer screws in the wrong place can perforate the circuit board.
Please do post back should you have further questions or comments.
Cheers
cornelius

Ibook G4 late 2004 model charging intermittently-flashes amber then green

Hi there, i have an ibook G4 14 inch late 2004 with mac os x 10.4.11. my previous 45w power cord needed to be jiggled in order to power the laptop (it was pretty damaged). yesterday, it stopped working completely, so i went to the apple store and bought a new 65w power cord. of course, it worked perfectly in the store. when i went home, it seemed to work perfectly until the battery reached about 37%, then it started doing this weird thing. while plugged in, the light on the power cord started flashing, changing from green to amber. it will be green for about 8 seconds, then amber for about 6 seconds.
it does this whether the computer is being used or shut down. while i was using the computer, the battery drained pretty quickly, so i shut it down and left it plugged in overnight. overnight, it seemed to have charged a little bit. the battery says it is 55% charged and, when i open my energy saver on system preferences, it will appear as if it is charging while the power cord light flashes amber, then stops charging when the power cord light flashes green. as i said, it will be amber for about 6 seconds, then green for about 8 seconds.
i tried resetting the PMU, but it did not work (perhaps i did it incorrectly?). i then tried to reset the pmu and the pram via these instructions:
turned computer off.
Make sure the Caps Lock key is not down.
Restart the computer. Immediately after hearing the startup sound, simultaneously press and hold Command-Option-P-R. (If you do not hold down the key combination within 5 to 10 seconds after the computer restarts, you must repeat steps 1-3.)
Hold down the keys until you hear the startup sound again. Then release the keys.
If the computer shuts itself off, press the reset button on the back of the computer to turn it back on.
that didn't work. then i tried to just reset the PMU again (via the support instructions) by turning the computer off, then simultaneously pressing and then releasing Shift-Control-Option-Power on the keyboard. Did not press the fn (Function) key while using this combination of keystrokes.
Waited 5 seconds, then pressed the power button.
that didn't help either.
i have been trying to figure this out but have not been able to thus far. of course, aside from being able to read, i have no computer savvy whatsoever. ANY help would be so appreciated. sorry i typed so much, but since i do not know much about computers, i was unsure what information was most pertinent.
thanks again, SOOOO much, for any help. i would be glad to answer any medical questions as a thank you.
here is the info from the power portion of the system prefs (with the power cord plugged in):
System Power Settings:
AC Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 0
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 20
Dynamic Power Step: No
Reduce Processor Speed: No
Automatic Restart On Power Loss: No
Wake On AC Change: No
Wake On Clamshell Open: Yes
Wake On LAN: Yes
Wake On Modem Ring: Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
Battery Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 15
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 5
Dynamic Power Step: Yes
Reduce Processor Speed: No
Automatic Restart On Power Loss: No
Wake On AC Change: No
Wake On Clamshell Open: Yes
Wake On Modem Ring: No
Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
Reduce Brightness: Yes
Battery Information:
Battery Installed: Yes
First low level warning: No
Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 2959
Remaining Capacity (mAh): 1740
Amperage (mA): 0
Voltage (mV): 14916
Cycle Count: 360
AC Charger Information:
AC Charger (Watts): 0
Connected: No
Charging: No
Hardware Configuration:
Clamshell Closed: No
UPS Installed: No

There may be other issues in the computer's hardware, such as the
battery; as it should have about 4,000 (mAh) in full capacity when it
is charged and the one you have appears to be at best, 50% of that.
Also, there is a chance the DC-in Board may be defective or have a
poor internal connection where the AC Adapter plugs into the iBook.
There are some pages at iFixit.com about how to remedy this defect;
and parts are available to repair this, still. (But suspect the battery, 1st.)
I'm looking at the charging information on your log report and wonder if
the battery is the reason why there is a Zero, in that section; or if there
is some DC-in Board reason. Without a known-good battery, it's hard to
tell what else may be going on. Unless you take it to a Genius bar...(?)
• iBook G4 - iFixit guides:
http://www.ifixit.com/Browse/iBook_G4
This appears to be closer to the specific guide page, to include your iBook:
http://www.ifixit.com/Device/iBookG4_14%22_933_MHz-1.33GHz
Troubleshooting power related issues in a portable computer can be a
bit tedious as the computers age, and potential sources of the problem
may be at play in there, at the same time.
There also is a matter of calibrating a battery on a routine basis, to be sure
it works correctly and the microchip controller for charging it is working OK.
• Apple Portables: Calibrating your computer's battery for best performance:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1490?viewlocale=en_US
The battery is the most likely culprit in the matter of the charge light indicator
changing color from Amber to Green and back again, like that. This is a matter
of troubleshooting, so if you know someone with a healthy iBook G4 battery
(as noted in Profiler's battery or energy information, hi-power/low-use cycles)
you may be able to check the activity without additional purchases.
Be sure to get a replacement battery from a reputable company, as some of
the third-party cheap imports have less battery capacity when new than an
old partially used Apple battery would have. (And flaky warranty, too.)
The battery is the most likely item, at this point. A replacement is suggested.
Good luck & happy computing!

What happens to the display if the iBook is closed when Not asleep??

I have read that closing the iBook when it will not sleep is BAD and can ruin the display. Does anyone know what exactly happens to the display in this case??

Yes it was under warranty. My husband took it into the Apple store and they told him that the type of damage that our screen had was obviously because of an accident and that voided any warranties on the computer all together so it would not be covered.
I know that there was no accident since the computer was sitting in a home office between the time I used it last until the time my husband went to use it 17 hours later. No one else was home. He noticed that the computer was not sleeping when it was closed also.
That is why I am interested in the type of damage that occurs to the screen. I have seen several times in these discussions warning not to close a screen if the computer will not sleep. These warnings usually link to a warning from Apple that doing so will cause damage to the screen.
I'm just sick at having to purchase a new iBook when the old one was only 4 mos old.

Follow up on: Topic : iBook G4 800 MHz freezes when moved or bumped lightly

Last year I posted the following message, which has been fixed. Summary of repair at bottom of post:
Original message posted Aug 4, 2007:
"For the past several months my iBook G4 has been freezing when moved or bumped lightly. It has also occasionally done some strange things at startup. It sometimes will show just a grey screen and sit there. Sometimes the screen will do some sort of fade transition across the screen, going bright in a wave accros the screen and then to black and then nothing. Sometimes there will be vertical lines in the middle of the right side of the screen of various colors. And the last significant occurance is the occassional static in the display. These video symptoms always occur at startup. If the computer starts up to the desktop it will only freeze if moved or bumped lightly. The cursor sometimes can still be moved after the computer freezes.
I have done the following:
Clean install of OS (Tiger 10.4) with all updates and tested before updating. If have done this before and after wiping the drive clean.
I have removed the extra RAM, reseated the RAM, removed the Airport Extreme card, reseated the Airport Extreme card. I have chaged out the hard drive. I have also disassembled most of the computer to check for any other loose components. The only discrepency I have found was a crimped microphone wire, that is slightly damaged. The screen was replaced a few months after purchase when it had a close encounter with a hot wheel car of my son's. The computer is currently a little over three and a half years old.
I work on computers for a living, specialize in Macs, and have been using Macs since 1986. I am stumped. Can someone please shed some light on this issue by providing a different point of view than my own. Sometimes we need an outside perspective to solve some problems.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide."
Solution provided by Apple:
I took the laptop to the Apple Store and sent it in for the flat rate repair, which was a little over $300. They had to replace the motherboard and some of the cable. The bad motherboard was causing video issues, freezing and startup difficulties. The bad cables were causing the freezing when the unit was moved. The laptop has performed exceptionally well since the repair and is still in use. Hope this helps other people out there.

As a guess it suggests to me that the leads on U28 need to be reflowed.
Mad Dog

Help: failed iBook, how can I transfer safely my music library to a new Mac

My iBook display won't work anymore and also connecting an external monitor does not help. Probably the graphic card has failed and the repair is not worth. I will most likely buy a new iMac in the next days.
Now the problem. How can I get all my iPod music and playlists to the new iMac.
I have my 20+ Gbyte of music on the iPod and (fortunately) the library is on an external hard disc.
The iPod is in autosync with the iBook.
HOWEVER the music library database file and .xml file are still on the iBook, so I will probably not be able to recover them anymore!
The question is:
- is there a way to copy the music from the external hard disk to the new Imac AND re-sync the iPod to the new iMac without loosing the song ratings, playlists etc.?
- I know there are third-party applications to copy music/playlists from the iPod itself, but I have been discouraged as the massive copy operation could damage the iPod hard-disk.
Hence I would prefer to recover the music files from the external hard disk.
I know I could simply import the music in the new iTunes installation from the hard disk, but in this way I would have to scratch the iPod and re-associate it with the new iTunes, loosing all playlists and songs ratings.
Thanks a lot in advance
Marco
iBook Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Hey- I'm in a little different position, but thought that whoever answers the above poster's questions probably knows the answer to mine too.
I have all my songs on an external hard drive which my computer has been having trouble recognizing. Therefore, I can't access my songs. Am I understanding the original poster above correctly that I have to purchase some 3rd party software to transfer those songs from my iPod back to my iBook?

Disc 2 damaged - I'm stuck in the middle of a installation process HELP!

Hi, folks.
I sold my iBook last thursday and I was preparing it for delivery. So, I started a Erase & Install of Tiger with the DVDs I received from Apple in order to give it to the new owner with a brand new system and none of my files. The problem is that after disc 1 had been popped out by the system and I inserted DVD 2, I found out it's damaged. iBook won't read it at all.
I tried several things such as copying the DVD in other computers but neither my MacBook nor my wife's PC can even read it. When it's about 20% read, a error messages shows up and process stops.
So, to make long things short, my iBook is stuck in the "Please, insert Disc labeled Mac OS X Installation DVD 2".
Is there a way I could force the system to skip this disc and log into Mac OS X even though I woudn't have the additional software installed? My priority now is to see the computer working.
Thanks in advance.
JP

I would call AppleCare and get a replacement disk, and just wait for it to come. Keep the machine where it won't overheat on a surface made of metal or stone glass, or plastic, and keep it plugged in.

Crash led to my iBook no longer having the translucent menu bar setting

Basic situation is this. I was running 10.5.3 perfectly well on my iBook G4 1.33ghz/1gb RAM. One day it didn't want to wake from sleep so I had to hold the power button down to power it off then back on. It started up as normal except that the menu bar had become translucent again (in 10.5.3 I had chosen to turn that stupid 'feature' off). But now the tick box is missing from the Desktop & Screen Saver pref pane, and even re-installing Leopard and updating to 10.5.3 then 10.5.4 from scratch has not bought the box back. Any idea what on earth has happened and how I can fix this? It passes the Hardware Test CD perfectly. It's as though it now thinks my Mac isn't capable of supporting that setting (when I add a Dashboard widget the ripple still happens for example).
Thanks!

David Lightman wrote:
Basic situation is this. I was running 10.5.3 perfectly well on my iBook G4 1.33ghz/1gb RAM. One day it didn't want to wake from sleep so I had to hold the power button down to power it off then back on.
This is a big NONO. You essentially crashed your OS by forcing it off while it was running. Yes, sleeping is running.
Your OS is damaged.
It started up as normal except that the menu bar had become translucent again (in 10.5.3 I had chosen to turn that stupid 'feature' off). But now the tick box is missing from the Desktop & Screen Saver pref pane, and even re-installing Leopard and updating to 10.5.3 then 10.5.4 from scratch has not bought the box back. Any idea what on earth has happened and how I can fix this? It passes the Hardware Test CD perfectly. It's as though it now thinks my Mac isn't capable of supporting that setting (when I add a Dashboard widget the ripple still happens for example).
Thanks!
Run the DU and repair your HD and permissions.
If that does not help, boot into the safe mode (hold down shift key on boot) and when you get to the login screen click on restart.
It could simply be a corrupt .plist file.
In the worse case, you can reinstall your OS previous to your forced crash using your TM backup.
Message was edited by: nerowolfe

Ibook damage

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