My PowerBook G4 won't start

Hello all,
I have a PowerBook G4 (running Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.11) that was handed down from my auntie and uncle who have long since upgraded. I presume it was unused for a long period of time with the battery still in because the battery is totally dead. Anyway, that's off topic.
My problem is that when I turn it on, it starts up and gets through the Apple logo fine but when it goes onto the blue screen where the login screen is it refuses to load. Then the screen goes grey and a message comes up saying that I need to restart my computer in various languages (Spanish, French, Chinese etc.).
So I was wondering what on earth has gone wrong and how I can resolve that problem, and should I try to solve it or just discard the laptop (considering that I won't get a new one)?
Many thanks. ^-^

Hello,
Welcome to the Support Community
There are a number of options open to you here.
As you can get it into Safe Mode, you can use disk repair and just try and repair the drive of any faults. This may resolve your problem your having with starting your PowerBook.
Here is a link to help you.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417
The second option is to use the Mac OS X start up disk to either use disk utilities to repair the hard drive or just simply reinstall the OS from scratch.
Personally I'd be more incline to repair the hard drive using the Mac OS X install disk and then install a fresh copy of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger. Seeming that the PowerBook is new to you and I assume most of the files have long been discarded by your auntie.
Best of 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

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

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 either in normal mode or safe mode

Hi everybody,
my fiance has a PB G4. Yesterday he wasn't able to boot his computer anymore. It got stuck w/ the gray screen and the spinning wheel. I started it in verbose mode as well as in single user mode to do the fsck but with no avail. The system just keeps saying that the disk0s10 (his Startup disk) has an I/O error (what exactly does that mean??). After that I tried to start the PB in safe mode but the wheel on the screen just keeps spinning (for more than 1hr right now).
Unfortunately he doesn't have a startup disk anymore as it got destroyed when his apt burned down last year. therefore I cannot boot the OSX from the disc and I cannot run a disk repair or archive and reinstall OSX. We tried using my install disk (MacBook Pro OSX 10.5) but apparently there's a driver problem when using my disc w/ a PowerBook.
any suggestions if we can fix the issue without using a install disc would be greatly appreciated.

ok, now we could get a install disc from a friend w/ another MacBook. I was able to start OS x from the disk. It showed a warning that OS X cannot be installed from this disc. But at least I was able to run the disk utility. The Disk Permissons buttons are not highlighted so I cannot repair the permissons. Verifying and repairing the disk failed. Apparently the node structure is invalid. That's what the disk repair says:
Invalid node structure
The Volume ..... could not be repaired
ERROR: Filesystem verify or repair failed
any suggestions what we can do??? I assume we need to erase the entire disk and reinstall OSX, but I how??? any suggestions??
thanks in advance
Flo

Powerbook G4 Won't Start

I hope you can help a PC guy who is trying to troubleshoot his daughters Powerbook G4.
She tells me the problems started with it not finishing the boot up process, locking up after getting to the sign-in, and then not even that far. Now it will not do anything other than the chime sounds right after pushing the power button, and some fan and/or drive noise is audible. I have not seen the apple on the cover light up, but did see a light on the front flash once. I do believe the CD drive is trying to run. But it does not get to the grey screen.
I have tried safe mode, resetting the PMU, and the PRAM with no luck.
Once and only once since in the few hours I have worked on it, did I get a screen display. This was with the system install CD in the drive, and holding the C key down while powering on, to get into the troubleshooting mode. It got to the grey screen with the apple, and spinning wheel. Stayed there for quite some time and then started to display a graphic screen. There appeared to be a message box in the middle of the screen that started to display but turned to garbage after getting half way through the first line of text. I think it said something like "You need to restart your computer. Hold down the power button." On several subsequent attemps no luck to get to the grey screen again.
Does this mean a dead hard drive or worse? Should the CD disk troubleshooting mode operate without a functioning hard drive? Any help you can provide is much appreciated. I did a search on the forum and have tried about everything, except for one suggestion to take the thing apart and disconnect all the cables to the PMU.
Thanks for your consideration. I had to just guess at the OS version. It is whatever it came with when bought in about August 2005. The install CD is in the Powerbook CD drive and the machine never gets to the point where the eject button works. These things don't seem to have the hole for the paper clip manual eject trick.
Ron
Powerbook G4, 15", 1.67 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.5)
Powerbook G4, 15", 1.67 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Joe, you are the man!
I removed the 512 RAM card and put it back in. It worked on the first try. However, when restarting to run diagnositics it would not start, and consistently did the three beep thing on each start attempt, with the sleep light flashing periodically. I believe that indicates the memory slot problem which seems to be a frequent problem with these units. So then I moved the RAM card to the second slot, and it has started sucessfully each time since. I think that confirms a memory slot problem. I ran the extensive diagnostics, and it passed everything. I've now confirmed as well that it is the latest OS; 10.4.8.
Has anybody had any sucess getting warranty for the memory slot, when the serial number is outside the range which Apple officially recognizes the problem to be? See link below. My daughter's unit starts with W8535.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303173#faq2

Powerbook G4 won't start up past grey screen

Hello. I'm a little worried about my mac.
It doesn't start up past the grey apple screen. I hear the start up sound, and I hear the hard disk start spinning, but after a while the only thing I hear is the fans. The longest I've let it try was about an hour, and still nothing. I've tried resetting the PRAM and resetting the PMU. I don't have the OS 10.5 install disc with me at the moment, so I can't use that.
Some events that may have led up to the problem:
I installed the latest software update last night. Installation was sucessful, and I restarted. Everything was fine on restart, so I put the computer to sleep for the night. Today when I woke it up, one of the toolbars in the Finder was open (probably not a problem, but unusual). Everything seemed fine and then I opened Text Edit. It was bouncing in the dock for about a minute, so I tried to force quit, and after a while it eventually stopped bouncing. Then I tried a restart, and I got a message saying it was unsuccessful because Text Edit failed to quit, but there was no marker under it in the dock. Tried again, and I ended up having to do a ctrl-command-power. After that, I haven't been able to get past the grey start up screen.
PLEASE HELP Thanks!

If that's the case, then what I would do next is to use TDM to clone the contents of your problem drive onto an external FireWire drive using either SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner to make sure you have a backup of everything. Once done make sure you test the backup by restarting from the external drive.
Next thing I would do is run DiskWarrior (sometimes it can be a directory issue that might be causing problems) to check that everything is still OK on the drive. It might be worth running DW on the external backup whilst you are at it. If DW finds nothing wrong then I would consider reformatting the drive and installing a fresh copy of OS X onto it to test if everything works fine. On the other hand if DW finds problems, it might be able to fix them so that you can restart properly.
If after all that everything works then you can try cloning everything back from the external drive onto the PowerBook's internal drive.

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?

PowerBook G4 won't start OS X

My PowerBook G4 has stalled at the screen that says, "Starting Mac OS X." The blue bar goes all the way across but the next screen never appears. I don't know the version of the operating system and obviously can't look it up since the computer isn't running.

Try repairing the directory as my FAQ* explains:
http://www.macmaps.com/directoryfaq.html
And if you lost the installer disks, call AppleCare for replacement disks:
http://www.apple.com/contact/phone_contacts.html
If you got the machine third hand, contact the seller for replacement disks, or ask them to call AppleCare for you. They are not their's to keep, as the disks are part of every Mac sold.
* Links to my pages may give me compensation.

Powerbook G4 won't start up follwing attempted OS software update

Hello,
My girlfriend has a 17" powerbook G4 to which she just tried to update the OS. She is not too sure about the details, but thinks she may have been running 10.4.6 beforehand and was updating from there. When she tried to update she was told that a component of the update had failed and she would need to restart, which she did however was met with only a black screen. Since then it has got to a stage where there is a black screen for about 40seconds after switching on, then a blue screen with a grey Mac OS X dialog box, at which point it stops and the hard drive remains quiet. I couldn't seem to start it in either safe mode or single user mode. I have tried looking in every forum around and pressing various combinations of startup keys to no avail. We are overseas and do not have the OS X install disk. She is seriously upset - any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi benny6011, and a warm welcome to the forums!
Could be many things, we should start with this, though you've tried some already...
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.
The usual reason why updates fail or mess things up, is if Permissions are not fixed before & after every update, with a reboot... you may get a partial update when the installer finds it doesn't have Permissions to change one obscure little part of the OS, leaving you with a mix of OS versions.
Some people get away without Repairing Permissions for years, some for only days.
If Permissions are wrong before applying an update, you could get mixed OS versions, if Directory is the slightest messed up, who knows!
If many Permission are repaired, or any Directory errors are found, you may need to re-apply some the latest/biggest updates.
May even need to do an Archive and Install if you have room on the HD, but saves all your files and gives a new OS...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120
I only use Software Update to see what is needed, then get them for real via...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/
That way I can wait a week or so, check the forums for potential problems, and get Permissions & such in order before installing.
If you have another Mac you might try FireWire target disk mode...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58583
Might even have to resort to this...
Reset OS X Password Without an OS X CD...
http://theappleblog.com/2008/06/22/reset-os-x-password-without-an-os-x-cd/

Powerbook Pismo won't start up in Panther or Tiger

This thread has been going on in the Tiger forum for a couple of days, but someone suggested posting to this forum.
Instead of recreating it all, I thought I would just post the link:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3540294#3540294
Hopefully someone here can help. JPL?

bianchisound,
I don't know if I have much more to offer since you have already performed extensive (and quite good) troubleshooting. Having another working Pismo is certainly a benefit in this effort.
Since you did not mention these, I would give them a try.
- Reset the Open Firmware: Boot into Open Firmware by holding down the 'Command-Option-O-F' keys from a cold start while the chime is being played. You will see a command-line screen...enter these commands:
1. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-nvram
2. Press Return.
3. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-all
4. Press Return.
Example:
0 > reset-nvram
Press Return
0 > reset-all
Press Return
The reset-all command should cause the computer to restart. If this occurs, you have successfully reset the Open Firmware settings. You could now test booting the Tiger DVD.
- Remove the main battery and disconnect the power adapter, then disconnect the PRAM battery and leave it disconnected. Reconnect the power adapter and try your boot to the Tiger DVD. By removing all power plus disconnecting the PRAM battery, all settings are flushed from PRAM and power manager and a new instruction set is loaded at startup. The powerbook will run just fine without the PRAM battery connected. I am suggesting this test in the remote event corrupted settings are somehow interfering with this process even though standard resets have been made.
If nothing helps, it would seem the only remaining major component that could possibly have an affect would be the logic board, but I cannot explain why...this is way beyond my understanding. To have success with OSes up to 10.2.8 but failures with 10.3 and 10.4 on the Pismo is quite odd.
If you have not done so, clone your wife's installed Tiger to your Pismo using SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner (I believe you have to set CCC's preferences to make the clone bootable but not SuperDuper!'s), then select your Pismo's HD as the startup volume. If it refuses to boot your wife's Pismo, this may indicate there is something wrong with your logic board, and again, I would have no explanation.
We will be interested in your results and good luck.

PowerBook G4 won't start up - getting error message

When I tried to start up my PowerBook G4 this morning I got the following error message -
"Invalid memory access at %SRR0: ff849808: 0000b030"
It says "to continue, type "mac-boot" however, the keyboard doesn't respond when i try to type anything.
Any help would be very gratefully appreciated. Thanks.

can you boot from the install DVD?
maybe try zapping PRAM also:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449

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! Arg!

Hello Everyone. Thanks in advance for your help.
I have two G4 PowerBooks. The newer one needs a new logic board and can't run Leopard so I am now using the older one. I wanted to put my 1 gig stick of ram from my newer PB to my older PB since the newer one died. I did so, and when I tried to turn the computer on . . . it won't; it doesn't do anything!
After closer inspection, I noticed that I could hear the fan slightly. I then unplugged the power cable and battery and heard the fan stop. I reset the PMU by holding the power button for a lot longer than 5 seconds (as apple suggests) put the battery back in and plugged in the power cable. When I pressed power, I heard a crackle from inside the laptop, but nothing more. The white power light never glows or pulsates. I can press the cap locks button and it does light up. That is at least something.
I then tried to reset the PRAM, but that didn't do anything either. I am stumped at what to do now. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have searched through other articles related to the subject but have not gotten anywhere. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

You may have done this already .... did you take out the 1GB RAM and put back in whatever was previously working? Does the system work normally with the old RAM?

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!

My PowerBook G4 won't start

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