IBookG4 running leopard, boots up, goes 2 black then login then black again

Question

my specs: iBook 1.2, 768mb of ram, 60GB HD
Wiped the iBook G4, installed leopard from retail 10.5.0 disc,
patched all the way up to 10.5.8. Machine was working fine
for a few days. Then today after being in sleep for a while,
went to wake it up, and wouldn't wake out of sleep.
Hard Restarted it ( option cmd shift power), heard boot chime,
say grey screen flash, then went to black.
Hit space bar to wake, and unit flashed login screen
(purple Leopard background) for brief 2 seconds, then
went back to black. Hit space bar again, same 2seconds, then back to black.
Anyone have a clue as to what might be going on?

Answer 1

HI Terry,
Probably a good idea to boot from your install disc and run Disk Utility.
Insert your install disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
*(Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel. It should say: Verified)*
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
When you are finished with DU, from the Menu Bar, select Utilities/Startup Manager.
Select your start up disk and click Restart
While you have the Disk Utility window open, look at the bottom of the window. Where you see Capacity and Available. Make sure there is always 10% to 15% free disk space
If you cannot boot from your install disc, try booting in Safe Mode
What is Safe Mode
Carolyn