Idiot needs help-iBook won't start up

Ive read a few topics that are similar to my problem but not really clever enough to get it working.
Yesterday i was using my iBook (had it about 5 years now with no problems at all) and i had a grey/black screen come up that said 'restart computer' so i turned off the iBook,now it won't start up at all.
Ive tried removing and re-starting numerous times so far with no results.
Ive tried safe mode too,but i'm not getting a chime when pressing start,so don't know when to hold shift down.
At the moment when pressing start i get the Apple screen and the spinning gear,then it goes to MAC OS X screen and the loading bar,but when it reaches the end it just stays on that screen.
I really am a computer novice,its all above me even though i'm 44!!,i love my iBook and don't really want to get another one just yet,plus all of my photos are still in iPhoto on this laptop. All other items i have on desktop too i don't really want to erase,my iTunes is stored on an external HD so thats ok,but any help would be appreciated.
I'm just going to try and locate the original disc that came with it,to try re-starting with that to see if i get any joy.

HI,
i'm not getting a chime when pressing start
iBook,now it won't start up at all.
Not a good sign. Hopefully the startup disk isn't failing, but be prepared just in case.
Go here for help for Isolating issues in Mac OS X
Carolyn

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Need help, system won't start up

Need help, system won't start up
When I turn on the system I hear a loud squeaking noise that could be coming from the hard drive, it does it for moment then a blank white screen appears w/ a tiny folder in the middle of the screen with a "?" blinking on and off on the folder. I never had any problems until now. What can I do, any suggestions.

hi capitala1,
+When I try to install the operating system to the internal drive, I don't see a destination option for that drive like I did for the external+
Do you mean that it doesn't show up when you try to startup holding down the option key, or that it doesn't show up in Disk Utility when started up on the external disk?
+...You think the drive is bad, if so, what can I do to retrieve some of the data off of it.+
Yes, it sounds like your hard drive is bad. Do you have access to techtools or Disk Warrior? either of these may be able to repair the drive enough to extract your info from it, if disk utility can't.
I know that there are shops that specialize in extracting info from bad hard drives, but they tend to be pretty expensive. I am sure others on this forum will be able to help you find one if you are interested.
PB
PS it isn't going to help this time, but remember in the future, backup, everything important to you regularly!

Need help--Classic won't start

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If Classic is booting with extensions off, that means that some preference or extension or control panel or control strip module has a problem. You can use Extensions Manager to turn off most of them and start up and see if the problem recurs. If so, then one of the extensions etc that you didn't turn off is the problem. If not, then one of those you did turn off is the problem. If you still have the problem, make a note of the extensions you've already turned off, and turn off a few more and try again. If you don't have the problem, turn on a few extensions and try again. Repeat until you have identified the problem extension.

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I have a first generation iPad, iBooks won't start, anyway to reinstall it?

If you are currently running iOS 5.01, you can update to iOS 5.1 over wifi (i.e., not connected to your computer).
 Cheers, Tom

One more iBook won't start. Please help...

Hi,
I apologise for my English from the very beginning. Be patient please...
I see from older topics that I am having a rather common problem. I just got this iBook G3 900 MHz 12' 680 Mb RAM from Ebay. It lasted 5 days (working fine) and then it suddenly died.
I have already tried all possible key combinations for PMU resets and carefully read the help page in case when a portable won't start. No good.
Here are the synthoms more in detail: The battery would not charge (it has only 1 flashing light out of four and I was warned before it died that its charge level was getting low). The ibook now don't start, even with the power adapter hooked up.
If this can help, the ring light on the adapter cord is green when the battery is on, and removing the battery turns the light to amber.
I started reading Internet discussions and it sounded an DC in-board problem, and I've already found a replacement from a friend...
BUT...
I did a further test tonight taking the battery for an identical ibook of a friend and when I put his battery on mine, it started up and kept being up only for me to see that the battery level was getting low low low --- dead again. Now, my friend is pretty sure that his battery was at least half-charged but to me it seems very strange that my ibook would drain away all power from a battery in 10 seconds. Can it be a short circuit ???
Back on Internet, I have discovered these Apple discussions, so before beginning unscrewing the whole ibook to replace the DC-in board (I understand this is not the easiest piece to change) I wanted to have your advice on something I might have missed with my "diagnosis".
Could it be the "famous" logic board everyone is complaining about ? The ibook was bought in August 2003 so I am still eligible for the replacement. Could it possibly be ? I though that ibooks with such a problem did boot up...
Sorry. I wrote too much. Thank you in advance for any help you might be willing to give me...
ibook G3 900 MHz Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Hi, and welcome to Apple Discussions.
No problems with your English whatsoever.
Have you tried your friend's adapter with the iBook? Was your iBook plugged into the adapter when it rapidly discharged your friend's battery? It could be an adapter problem. The adapter should show green when the battery is not installed, and amber when it is — exactly the opposite of what you are seeing. The amber light is supposed to indicate that the battery is charging. The green light means that it is NOT charging. When things are working right, the green light means the battery has stopped charging because it is completely charged. When things aren't working right, it just means the battery isn't charging — for whatever reason. Since your adapter is showing the lights the opposite of what it is supposed to do, it's an indication that it may not be working right.
These are the four most common possibilities when the battery will not charge:
(1) there is something wrong with your battery
(2) there is something wrong with your power adapter
(3) there is something wrong with your power input board (the part that contains the port where you plug in the adapter)
(4) there is something wrong with your logic board
To diagnose a bad DC-in board, you need to make sure it isn't the battery or the adapter at fault by swapping out first one and then the other, If it runs from a known good charged battery okay, but won't run from a known good adapter, then you are going to have to replace the power input board.
Usually, if it is a logic board problem, the iBook simply will not run from the battery. This happened to mine. The battery showed up in the battery status indicator. It was recognized by the computer and charged by the adapter (as shown by the battery status indicator). However, when I unplugged the adapter from the iBook, it was just like pulling the power cord from the wall on a desktop. The iBook immediately shutdown. Dead.
My husband’s problem was quite obviously the power input (DC-in) board because the adapter tip had broken off in the port. Often (and, sadly, in our case), this damages the power input board so that it no longer functions, necessitating replacement of the board as well as the broken adapter.
Your experience does not exactly match either of ours. It is my best hunch that if your adapter is not the problem, then it is the logic board and not the DC-in board at fault. However, this is not the problem covered by the iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program.
Since you already have the extra DC-in board, if it proves not to be the adapter at fault, you may want to try installing the DC-in board, in hopes that will correct the problem.
Good luck.

Help! G4 iBook won't start up

I had to shut down and restart my iBook two or three times in succession. On the final time, the iBook began to start up, but then there was a 'click' and it shut down completely. Now I can't get it to start up at all, when I press the start up button nothing at all happens. The battery is fully charged, I have tried it running off the mains, and have also tried holding down Shift etc. I can't start it up from the CD either, as it won't pull the CD in.
Can anyone help please?

Welcome to Apple Computer!
Here is an article that might help:
Troubleshooting: my computer won't turn on:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300552
It will recommend disconnecting all peripherals and resetting the PMU among other things. If nothing helps, please post back.
Good luck!

IBook won't start up in Mac OS X

Hi,
I have an iBook G3 with operation system OS 10.3.9 that I've been used for years. Recently, it just won’t start up in Mac OS X, the computer stops at the screen with a gray apple and a spinning gear. The last thing I remember doing is looking for physical address (Ethernet HW address) of the computer and didn’t change any setting. I don’t recall updating any program the last time I used it.
The computer passed all testes with “Apple Hardware Test” come with the computer.
I’ve tried everything that I can perform mentioned in "http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106464". I once had the computer start up in safe mode to remove all login items as the document said and then I can never get into safe mode at all. I can now still boot into single-user mode but nothing worked.
I have two partitions (A&B), partition A has operation system installed. I used “TechTool Deluxe 3.0.2” to repair the disks, and partition B passed all testes and A sometimes passed all and sometimes failed on ‘Linear Read/Write, Random Read/Write, Read/Write Buffer’.
I can’t repair the volumes (both A & B) with disk utility using OS 10.3 install CD nor can I Archive and Install OS 10.3 on partition A, they both show the same error “could not unmount disk (-10000)”. I tried to erase partition B and it still showed “could not unmount disk”.
If possible I would like to save some files in partition A and I don’t care B at all. However, if necessary erase entitle disk and reinstall could be an option, though I don’t think that would work at current stage.
Any idea? Thank you in advance.
iBook G3 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Are you booting from the OS X Installer CD? You cannot repair a startup volume. If DU cannot unmount the volume it's because the volume is in use which suggests you did not boot from the OS X Installer Disc. I suggest you do that. After the installer loads select your language and click on Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu. You can repair both volumes this way.
The problem you describe at startup suggests that there are missing or corrupted essential system files. The only fix is to reinstall OS X. You can do an Archive and Install only if the hard drive is OK so repairing it is essential if you want to do an Archive and Install.
How to Perform an Archive and Install
1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.5.2 for Tiger) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
2. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

HELP! won't start up beyond apple screen

I've had my iBook G4 for about 6 months and I've encountered my first major problem. I've had several problems with my G3, but never like this. I've stumped the phone tech support and I need help.
My computer turns on normally, then flashes black screens, the gray screen with the mac face folder and question mark, then the blue screen with the apple in the middle like it's supposed to. Just when I think it's working, it shuts down. This happens every time, no matter what I do.
I've booted off the installation disk, and drive genius disc and it does boot up. But it won't let me repair or verify the disc! It says it needs repair but that there was an error. It will boot off my external hard drive and function fine.
Any ideas?!?!? I really can't afford to lose everything on my hard drive and I'm stupid enough not to have backed up my files in the last couple of weeks. HELP
thanks,
Audrey

Well, you could pick up an external firewire enclosure, empty; and after
you get the computer's drive replaced, put the old HDD into the enclosure
and see about getting a disk repair utility that may be able to gain some
access to your data; that may allow you to try and recover what is locked
up in the computer's old hard disk drive. Even a third-party disk utility may
be able to get a peek inside; unless the drive is truly totally fried.
You may have to ask and or search to find if there is a recovery utility
better suited to attempting to get your data off a failed hard drive. The
commercial recovery companies do get a premium per MB they retrieve.
Depending on the data and your need to get it back, this can be costly.
If you do get a FW external enclosure, be sure it can accept
both the laptop size HDD as well as a standard size; then you
can also use the enclosure with a new drive later on to backup
your stuff on a regular basis. Not all externals are equal; and
if your data is truly lost, you could just get a complete FW drive
unit for backup and tech repairs at home; for clones, etc, too.
Best of luck.

IBook won't start up all the way...

My iBook G4 has been great. But recently, I've experience a little trouble. Sometimes when it starts up, it seems to only startup part way.
Meaning, that none of my external connections work (iBook won't recognize any of my USB periferals like my printer and external mouse... and unfortunately my wireless internet connection is supported through a USB port, so when this happens, I can't log on to the internet!).
I've also noticed that when this happens, although I get my Mac OSX desktop, I don't see anything on the top-right-hand-side of the menu bar. So I do get my "apple" menu, and Finder, File, Edit, View, Go, Window, and Help on the left-hand-side, but nothing on the right (display control panel, volume indicator, Date/Time).
So, sometimes I start it and it starts up all the way and everything works fine. Other times I start it up, and I can't find my periferals, and I don't have anything on the right-hand sinde of the menu bar.
I have tried troubleshooting on my own by running Disk First Aid (everything checks out okay), and verifying and repairing my permissions. Doesn't help.
Any suggestions? Hopefully I can get some useful advice on this discussion board. If not, I will have to take it in for service.
iBook Power PC G4 933 MHz Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Hi mac824,
It sounds like some system corruption.
Download and reinstall the 10.3.9 Combined update. If that doesn't correct it, an Archive and Install should.

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Anyone else has had the same issue? Any idea how to fix it?

Work through the tips in http://support.apple.com/kb/YS3281 and see if that helps. If not, a visit to an Apple store genius bar for testing by the techs would be in order.

IBook won't start up - black screen

Hi, wonder if anyone can help with this...
I have an iBook which is about 5 years old. It's always been fine up until this weekend when i turned it on as normal and it just won't start up. All i see is a black screen but it does for a while sound like it's trying to start up.
I left it for a day turned off then tried turning it on again - this time it looked as if it was starting with the grey screen & apple icon then half may through it froze and there are lines all over the screen in various different colours - this doesn't look like a good sign!
I've tried starting in safe mode and also by inserting the install CD and starting up holding C but neither register.
Any ideas???
Thanks in advance!
Abi

Hey AbiTWR,
.. starting with the grey screen & apple icon then half may through it froze and there are lines all over the screen in various different colours- this doesn't look like a good sign!
Unfortunately you're right about that. That's the classic symptom for a graphics processor chip that's coming loose. You could try the shim repair mentioned all over this board. Depending on the speed and size you basically put a shim under the board under the GPU.
Richard

Please help - iTunes won't start anymore: unknown error -69

Hello out there,
please can anybody help me: all of a sudden my iTunes won't start any more - it only shows a message stating an unknown error -69 and then quits.
I did not change anything on my system before that, so I just don't know what could trigger that...
I am using iTunes 7.0.2 on Windows XP SP2, both German versions.
Before posting this question I searched the archives and tried the following, all to no avail:
1. disabled "safe mode" in QuickTime audio options -> problem remains
2. set speakers to "stereo headphones" in Windows sound options -> problem remains
3. deinstalled iTunes, downloaded the installation file again and reinstalled it -> problem remains
4. deinstalled iTunes and QuickTime, downloaded QuickTime stand-alone version, installed this and afterwards iTunes again -> problem remains
5. deinstalled iTunes and QuickTime again, deleted all iTunes and QuickTime data folders, reinstalled everything again -> problem remains
6. ran a CHKDSK an the drive iTunes is on -> no problems found
It still won't start, always giving this unknown error -69.
Please, does anybody know what to do?
Any hints and help are much appreciated!
Thanks a lot
and best regards
Frank
PC Windows XP

See if this helps: iTunes displays a -69 error when syncing iPod

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After pressing the button, I put the battery back in and plugged in the laptop, but now it won't start! When I press the power button--nothing! Any suggestions?
The iBook is running Panther.

Nevermind. I got it to work.
But just in case this ever happens to anyone else, the problem was caused because the reset button had not returned to it's normal position after I reset it. Who knows--maybe I pushed it too hard. Anyway, I noticed this after turning on another light in the room making my visibility better. I pushed against it again with a paperclip and it popped down into place. Then I hit the power button and voila! it worked.
Case closed.

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Try booting from your system CD, run Disk First Aid from your Disk Utility and repair your permissions.
-Bmer
Mac Owners Support Group
Join Us @ MacOSG.com
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Idiot needs help-iBook won't start up

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