PowerBook 145B Startup Trouble

So I have this PowerBook 145B. It will start up with the regular startup sound and a slight click on the speaker, and the drive stays spinning, but the screen stays blank. The pointer is on the screen and can be moved by the trackball, but nothing happens. I tried putting in the 'Disk Tools' disk to troubleshoot at startup, but the computer won't read it.
Any ideas as to what I can do?
All I really want is to get the data I need off the computer. I only know of one place that can help me do this in New York--Tekserve--and that's if the computer is working. I had a BAD experience there and don't want to go back. The computer is so old that the guys at the Mac Store couldn't help me transfer the data when I bought my new iBook.
Any advice on how to fix the startup problem, or advice on where to go for repair/help (I live in New York) would be very appreciated. Thanks a lot.
PowerBook 145B Other OS

Very good!
At this point, if the computer will let you start from the internal hard disk (with or without holding down the Shift key), I recommend that you immediately save (copy) at least the most important files to one or more floppies.
It would not be a bad idea to verify the hard-disk structure via Disk First Aid on the Disk Tools floppy (repair if errors are reported).
It is also possible that the hard disk drive driver software needs to be updated. To do so, use the update function in Apple HD SC Setup. Do NOT initialise the hard disk.
Since you have access to an external (USB) floppy drive for the iBook, a transfer via diskettes is probably going to be the easiest way. Files larger than approx. 1.3 MB can be segmented, if necessary.
Jan

Similar Messages

PowerBook 145B - strange hard drive interface?

I opened up a PowerBook 145B from a friend that had died (the PowerBook, not the friend) and pulled out the hard drive to recover the data. I thought I would find some type of regular SCSI interface on the hard drive, but...
I've spent some time Googling and found people who can't figure out how to get data off this drive (IBM Model WDS-2120, 120mb) and no solutions. It says 2.5" SCSI 17mm on the drive, but the interface is something I haven't seen.
Does anyone have ideas on how to get the data off this drive?
Thanks!

Hi,
I don't think a cable exists which would handle the data and power requirements of the WDS-2120 and allow connection to a more standard SCSI interface.
The adapter that I have is part of the external case mentioned above. It has made it possible to supply power to e.g. a WDS-2120 drive, and to connect that drive to the HDI-30 SCSI port of a PowerBook or the DB-25 SCSI port of a desktop Mac. However, as indicated, it may be difficult to buy something like that today.
(It looks like 8 of the pins are for power on the HD.)
If I remember correctly, the ID selector is connected to some of the pins in the separate group of eight. Since the internal hard drive always is ID 0, the selection can even be simplified (meaning that the complete interface may not be needed). So, do not be surprised if you see a connector covering merely the main portion of the interface in some computer models.
For more on pinouts, try a Google search for this or any other (maybe Quantum) 2.5" SCSI hard drive. Also, you may be able to find something of interest in the Apple hardware documentation here.
Jan

I have a PowerBook 145B but something is wrong with the systemfolder so it wont boot. I've downloaded System 7.0.1 from Apple and put it on Floppys with my Macintosh Classic. The PowerBook boots from the floppy, after a minute its just white. What to do?

I have a PowerBook 145B but something is wrong with the systemfolder so it wont boot. I've downloaded System 7.0.1 from Apple and put it on Floppys with my Macintosh Classic. The PowerBook boots from the floppy but after a minute it just comes up a window thats completely white.
I've tried a lot of things, but my Macintosh classic (with original floppys) runs 7.0.0. And the PowerBook needs atleast 7.0.1 and did run 7.1.0 as original OS.
How do I fix this?

Because your PowerBook 145B shipped with OS 7.1, it can't run an earlier version of the Mac OS, such as 7.0.1. Unfortunately, Apple never made OS 7.1 available for download. You can run OS 7.5.1, 7.5.3, and 7.5.5 on your PowerBook, but I'd recommend doing so with the maximum amount of supported memory - 8 MBs. The 19-part download of OS 7.5.3 is segmented, so that each one will fit on a 1.44 MB floppy disk. The problem is that the 19-diskette set isn't an installer set as such, having no bootable disk. It's solely intended to be used to transfer the individual segments to the resident hard drive in the computer. Once that's done, double-clicking the first .smi segment creates the OS 7.5.3 installer disk image on the desktop, which you drag onto the hard drive icon. This produces a folder with the OS 7.5.3 installer in it. I've done this before with an old Mac LC and it works. You can also download the 3-diskette OS 7.5.5 Update and run that. These downloads can be found on the same page where you found the OS 7.0.1 download: Older Software Downloads.

PowerBook 145B shows pic of floppy disk with flashing question mark

I recently discovered a PowerBook 145B in my garage. When I turn it on, it makes the start-up sound but then goes to a blank screen with a picture of a floppy disk with a flashing question mark.
I don't have any of the original floppies that would have come with it. Is there anything I can do to make it work?

Hi,
The technical specifications for the PowerBook 145B can be found here.
Although the original operating system was 7.1 (not free), you could try System 7.0.1 instead (see KB article TA33972) instead. System 7.0.1 is available for download from Apple (for example, US and British versions). Access to another older Macintosh computer (with a built-in floppy drive) would normally be required in order to create properly sector-copied floppies from disk images. If absolutely necessary, the British version (which is provided as individual images) can even be used to produce the system disks on a PC (using a special technique).
System 7.5.3 is also available (e.g., US and British), but may not be ideal for a computer with a small hard drive and limited RAM. A boot floppy (use the Network Access Disk 7.5 here) is not included in the 7.5.3 download.
Jan

More PowerBook 145B trouble

So I keep starting up this old Mac with the 'Disk Tools' disk, and although at one point the computer started up with all the info on the Hard Disk intact, now it can't find the Drive (which I think was SCSI port 0). Using the "HD SC Setup" I get an error message saying "Drive selection failed. Unable to read required information from the disk." USing the "Powerbook restore" fuction I get a message saying "The hard disk is not responding."
I think it's dead, although it was working recently. Any ideas? Thanks a lot.
PowerBook 145 B Other OS

Arg. Well, I reset the power manager and the PRAM again. Here's the saga of my trials:
1) When I try to use Disk First Aid, the computer gives me the option of the Drive but tells me first that "The disk (SCSI 0) is write protected" and that I won't be able to complete any repairs, and can only "verify" the disk. When I hit 'OK', Disk First Aid is "Unable to read from disk."
2) I restarted again and I'm still getting that message in the HD SC Setup, "Drive selection failed. Unable to read required information from the disk" after the computer is searching for SCSI drives. And "Disk Tools" only acknowledges the internal floppy drive.
3) OK on the most recent startup, the hard drive seems to have engaged--I started without the Disk Tools disk or hitting shift-command-option-delete and was prompted for my password. Then the screen went blank and there's the small vintage Mac icon in the middle, underneath a "0000000F" and a "000000GG" (or maybe a '66' at the end).
4) And on the last startup: now there's no acknowledgement of a disk present, and putting the "Disk Tools" in gets the computer started, but, again, no hard disk presence. Trying to "Restore" in disk tools yields a message that my hard disk is "not responding."
5) The computer started up fine, no problem, without the Disk Tools. I was transferring files to a floppy disk and got a Finder error message (type 41) and had to restart. Back to square one. I guess I'll keep trying.
This does seem to be a hardware connection problem, right? I'm not afraid to take this thing apart (I did it once before to replace a trackball spring). Is it worth it to take it apart and check a specific area of connection? I don't know my way around computer internals, but I can follow instructions, if someone can guide me to a site.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
PowerBook 145 B Other OS
PowerBook 145 B Other OS

Powerbook: erratic startup, laboured noises & crashes with internet connect

Hi,
Any advice would be greatly appreciated:
I have a Powerbook G4 and I have been running OSX (10.4.3) on it for a while now and I haven't had trouble until recently.
I have a suspicion my internet connection is somehow confliciting with the operating system. I don't know if this is a powerbook or a tiger problem.
Basically I was busy attaching a file to an email when the computer went into this strange dazed mode of being unable to do anything. It seemed to have frozen. I couldn't force quit Mail (or any application) so I shut down the powerbook using the power button on the keyboard.
When loading up again it took much longer to boot up. Sometimes it never got passed the twirling circle of lines at startup.
When the powerbook did load up it went through a few stages of blue screens - sometimes it even went into a second round of loading up before going into the OS.
When it did boot up I found that when connecting to the internet it immediately froze.
The computer is also making a strange repetitive, laboured noise.
It is erratic - booting up sometimes and other times struggling for so long that I have to shut it down by means of the power button.
The only two things I have done differently recently are:
1) enabled my bluetooth and had some files transfered from two different mobile phones and;
2) connected a stranger's iPod to my mac - which hasn't been connected to my computer before
Not sure if any of these could have caused such discontent with my otherwise trusty Powerbook?
Is this the end?
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Hi, Warwick, and welcome to Apple Discussions.
The computer is also making a strange repetitive, laboured noise.
This is the salient fact; all else is just details. First make sure there is no disc in your optical drive. If that drive is empty, what you are left with is a classic signal of hard drive mechanical failure. Immediately, before you do anything else, get to work copying all the important un-backed-up data on the hard drive to other storage media. You may not make it all the way through this process before the drive dies entirely, so identify the highest priority files before you begin, and back them up first. There's no telling whether your hard drive will last another month, week, day, hour, or minute, so don't put this off. It will go fastest and most easily if you back your files up to an external FireWire hard drive, so if you don't have one already, this may be a very good time to buy one.
Hard drives are mechanical devices, and sometimes they just fail. You probably did nothing at all to cause the failure, and it certainly had nothing to do with the internet.
Replacing the hard drive in a Powerbook is an easy ten-minute procedure, for which instructions are printed right in your Powerbook G4 Getting Started user's manual. Replacement drives are available from scores of online vendors and bricks-and-mortar retailers, in capacities from 20-30GB up to 160GB and at prices from about $65 to more than $200USD. $100 gets you the pick of many midrange, midspeed, midpriced drives. I can't suggest where you might want to shop in the UK.

Powerbook G3 Startup Volume problems

I am using a G3 Pismo Powerbook I bought off eBay. It's a 500 Mhz G3 and it's been upgraded to 1 gig of Ram and a 100 gig hard drive. It came with OS 9 and Tiger installed on it, but I wanted to do my own clean install and I ended up using XPostFacto to install Tiger on it. It runs okay, but the problem is it only boots if I press Option-Command-Shift-Delete during startup, which bypasses the primary startup volume. If I press and hold C to try and boot from a OS 9 CD nothing happends and if I hold Option it hangs on a screen with a refresh button my volume icon and a next button.
Any Ideas?

sean,
It sounds like the Pismo's DVD-ROM drive is at fault here. If the Tiger DVD has "Update" any place on the label, it will not install a fresh Tiger OS. The "Update" Tiger DVDs are used to update a previous version of OSX to Tiger, i.e Panther/10.3.x to Tiger/10.4 (not sure if it will update Panther/10.2). The bottom line...you must have the previous version on the HD in order to run the Update DVD.
The Pismo with a PowerPC CPU can boot 9.x from the USB port but NOT OSX; this only became available the new Intel Macs. See if you can get 9.x to boot from the USB external DVD-ROM. Power on the USB drive with the 9.x CD in place, then restart while pressing the 'option' key. If the USB drive is available as a boot drive along with the internal HD, give it a try. However, don't erase the HD or install 9.x until you have a solution for OSX.
Do you have another Mac with a PowerPC CPU (G3, G4 or G5) that is compatible with Tiger and also running Tiger? If so, there is a way to install Tiger from this computer...please post back with details.

Powerbook G4 Startup dilema

Bought a brand new powerbook April 2005. Since then I've had significant startup problems. Twice I've stripped the machine down to basics and reloaded 10.4.2. It worked ok for a short time and then it will start having problems all over again in start up mode. Another problem is when the equipment go into sleep it freezes when prompted to wakeup, I've lost so much data that I am ready to lobb this Applepie pancake in the Los Angeles river. Help! any such experience out there? How do I fix this expensive do nothing.

This is the G4 PowerMac forum. You will probably have more luck posting this in the Powerbook forum
--Spire

Powerbook wont startup

I've had my powerbook for almost a year now and today i ran onyx to clean up the trash and caches and i restarted my computer and at the initial start up page where it displays the apple logo and the spinning wheel it loads for a few seconds and then a circle with a line through it appears. I tried restarting it but the same problem occurs and I had tried to put the MacOS startup disk in and it didnt work. What should i do next.

if PowerBook does not start from the original OS install disc, it could be hardware problem.
you may want to take it to the service shop in your area:
http://www.apple.com/buy/locator/service/

Startup trouble - looking for startup disk

I've been experiencing occasional start up trouble for a few weeks, where my iMac takes a long time on the startup phase (getting stuck on a blank gray screen), and on 3 occasions it has just come up with a folder with blinking question mark (can't find startup disk) icon. When this happens, I hold my breath and manually restart, and so far it's then started right up (knock on wood). But obviously this is worrisome.
I did recently swap out some RAM (trading out one card from 1GB to 2GB), and since the Apple store no longer carries the appropriate RAM for my iMac (fall 2006), I can to buy it elsewhere, but that seemed to go fine... could it have affected my startup?
Another, probably unrelated issue, is that when I do start up successfully, or even come up from sleep, the computer now makes a big POP sound. I have a JBL "creature" amp with little speakers plugged into the computer, but it doesn't seem to be that - it's definitely an in-computer sound. Could the sound card be going bad, or somehow affected by the start up problem or the new RAM? I'm guessing it's an unrelated thing, but wanted to include as much info as possible.

Hi Jessamyn
Many times a connected External HD, iPod or other storage device can cause the startup manager to have a problem finding your startup volume, first disconnect all other storage devices to see if that helps. Second go to *System Preferences > Startup Disk* and select the *Mac OS X, 10.4 on Macintosh HD* click the lock and restart.
If you are still having a startup issue then use the following link for testing and repairing your startup disk: > http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=DiskUtility/10.5/en/duh1018.html
Dennis

Powerbook G4 startup won't start!!

I'm having a problem with my Powerbook G4 Titanium. It will turn on, and it says "starting mac OS X" but it won't move on, the bar that loads gets full but it just stays full and doesn't go to the desktop or anything. Please Help!!!

Try this:
• Shut down the computer.
• Locate the following keys: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously later.
• Turn on the computer.
• Press and hold the Command + Option + P + R keys the startup chime.
• Hold keys down until you hear the startup chime for the third time.
• Release the keys and immediately hold down Shift key to http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107393 startup in Safe Mode</a>.
• Log in and empty Trash.
• Restart normally and log in.
cornelius

PowerBook G3 startup sound and nothing else

I recently became motivated to fix my old laptop that I had given up on long ago. It is a PowerBook G3 - Bronze Keyboard (M5343). If I push the power button the laptop makes the startup sound, however the screen never comes on and the harddrive does not appear to spin at all. There is a little activity going on - I can hear the hum of the fans and the caps/num lock lights turn on/off. the green power light remains off most of the time - while I have seen it blink on briefly, I cannot replicate it and forget the exact circumstances in which it came on.
After filtering through the discussions here I have tried the following to no avail.
- Start from CDs (OS9 & OSX) - seems like the necessary startup events needed to recognize me holding down keys or to kick on the CDROM drive are not occurring. the CD drive never spins.
- Reset PRAM - same as above - key combination is not recognized
- Reset PMU - doesn't change anything
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
...j
PowerBook G3 M5343 Don't remember which OS version it is running

axelhonkrod, welcome to Apple Discussions.
I assume that the Mac has not been plugged into AC power. Therefore the internal PRAM battery has totally discharged. Sometimes disconnecting the PRAM battery will solve startup issues.
Here's some helpful laptop sites that will show you how.
Fix It Guides for Mac Laptops & Mini
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/
The guides can be viewed on-line or you can download a PDF file.
How to Upgrade, Repair, Disassemble an Apple/Macintosh Laptop or Notebook
http://repair4laptop.org/disassembly_apple.html
PowerBookTech
http://www.powerbooktech.com/
(Note - PowerBookTech has some good info, however, some Mac users in other forums were having difficulty getting delivery on parts from them.)
How to Upgrade, Repair, Disassemble an Apple/Macintosh Laptop or Notebook
http://repair4laptop.org/disassembly_apple.html
Laptop Repair Guides
http://www.applerepairmanuals.com/#portables
 Cheers, Tom

Powerbook G4 17" troubles with the screen

Hello,
my powerbook G4 1,67Ghz seems to face a new problem.
When I open the screen, I must stop to open it half way, if I go to the normal way (90°) the light is very, very , very low (even black sometimes....)
Not easy to work with a 45° open screen....
Any idea on the problem ?
someone told me to open the computer and replace the inverter cable.....
Thanks for any help
Fred

Sometimes your problem may also be:
1. The backlight. See http://www.ifixit.com/ on how to replace.
2. The PRAM battery. See http://www.ifixit.com on how to replace.
3. The "glossy" screen. Glossy screens don't do well with certain types overhead or light from behind you. They can be especially sensitive if there is a window to your side or behind you, or if the overhead light is flourescent, or if any of those directions the sun is shining. Matte and anti-glare screens have less difficulty on that account, though may still have issues if there is sun shining.

Powerbook wont startup and have no install disks

My powerbook G4 starts up installs lots of extensions until it announces that it is "waiting for Apple file service" and then stops.
I am fairly sure that I didnt get any install disks when i bought it (long time ago now) because all the software was preloaded and I never got round to making one while the machine worked (stupid me). Surely I should be able to get a bootable disk which I can stick in the dvd drive so that I can then run the diagnostic software which is (you guessed it) on the hard drive which wont boot!!!!
My wife has a machine which is a HP running MS Vista which I could use to download and burn a bootable CD/DVD (I think) but I cant find one anywhere on the net.
Please help before she tells me again how great her new computer is and I mournfully glance over again at my dead mac
Thanks in anticipation
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Welcome To Discussions bunsen x!
Even if you are successful, at resurrecting the PowerBook, you really do need a set of system discs.
If you call Apple Customer Service, you may be able to obtain replacement system discs, for a fee.
Also, If you know what to look for, a Full Retail Version, of the Panther Install CDs, or a Full Retail Version, of the Tiger Install DVD, can also be purchased rather inexpensively, at some online Apple retailers, Amazon, eBay, FastMac, AppleRescue, etc.
Be sure not to purchase grey, upgrade or machine specific CDs or DVDs.
Panther is only on CDs, not DVDs.
Unless purchased from AppleRescue, the discs should look exactly like the images in the above links, and not say Upgrade, CPU Drop-in DVD, or "This software is part of a hardware bundle purchase - not to be sold seperately." on them.
Additional info in these links.
Using OS X Install CDs/DVDs On Multiple Macs
What's A Computer Specific Mac OS X Release
Software Update, Upgrade: What's The Difference?
If your Mac meets the Tiger System Requirements, you could also consider installing that, and then use the PPC 10.4.9 Combo Update, to upgrade to the current version.
Additionally, "Tiger ships on a DVD, but if your Mac doesn’t have a built-in DVD-ROM player, you’ll need CD media. When you buy Mac OS X Tiger, you qualify to purchase Tiger CDs for only $9.95."
Download the Media Exchange Program Order Form Here. Note that the date on that form is June 22, 2007, but the program has been extended in the past.
I suggest that if you choose that option, call Apple 1-800-275-2273 and ask if that program is still available.
AppleRescue, also sells a Tiger installation set on CD.
Shop Carefully, Examine All Documentation, And I Wish You Success!
ali b

Startup trouble

Hi,
I have a problem with starting my NW2004s system after a sytem copy
Startsap reports the instance has been started and the databade is also up.
But I cannot start the gui, says connection refused.
The sappfpar does not report any errors.
How do I go about trouble shooting. Where do i start?
Thanks in advance

Hello Shabnam,
Can you please provide the information of your SAP , OS and database that you are using for Nw04s.
Incase if you are working with Unix flavour -
then fire the cmd-> ps -ef | grep sap . And you will get all the processes related to SAP (incase if it is running).
Incase if your on having Windows -OS then please go to task manager and in that go to processess tab and there you should find certain process with name disp+work , jlaunch , in the name of <sidadm> - so this indicated that atleast your SAP system is runnning.
Regards,
Prem

PowerBook 145B Startup Trouble

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