Powerbook G4 won't start up totally! HELP!

SO i reset the computer by removing battery and holding start button of 5 minutes. The computer will start up and I get the chime, the apple and the spinning circle. Then the screen goes blue with only the spinning circle and nothing happens. What do I do???

if the install completes on the external drive, you could start from it by holding "option" key on restart, startup manger window will show up and you can just click on the external drive to start from.
once it starts, internal hard drive may or may not mount on the desktop.
if the internal drive is badly corrupted, window could come up asking if you want to erase the drive, do not do that.
if that happens, Disk Warrior is the next step, it is a separate program, retails for about $100.
most files by default will be in you user home folder on the original drive,
email files will be in the Mail folder inside your user home library
if the drive is erased, 3rd party applications will be lost, only the applications that came with the original discs will be reinstalled
Message was edited by: arnie

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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 - 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

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?

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.

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

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.

My MacBook Pro won't start up please help me

MacBook Pro won't start up what should I do?

Hey eddydamasio,
Thanks for the question. I understand that your MacBook Pro won’t turn on. The following article may help to resolve your issue:
Troubleshooting: My computer won't turn on
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1367
Note: if you hear a startup chime or the fans running, see this article instead:
Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1573
Thanks,
Matt M.

My G5 won't start up - Please help!

My Power Mac G5 won't start up! I turn it on and hear the start up chime, then the fan goes as usual and then it appears to be starting up - then it gets to initializing network connections (I think!) then the screen goes blue and it freezes! Does anybody have any idea why this is happening? Please help!

Hi viccilogan-
In that case, I offer a few more documents for your perusal and prior to actually being in front of the unit and able to troubleshoot.
The following may be helpful:
Mac OS X: Slow Startup, Pauses at "Initializing network" or "Configuring network time"
our Mac won't start up in Mac OS X (Mac OS X 10.3.9 or earlier) (although the title indicates otherwise this stuff applies and there are a bunch of good links.
Luck-
-DaddyPaycheck

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My mac book keep on beeping and make the beep sound 3 time (same goes to the light) and it won't start up. Help please.

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I've installed oracle 9.01 and later on 8.1.7 i cannot use the assistants net 8 and dbca after installation. Does anybody have the same problem. I think is has something to do with jre versions.
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Hello, yogendra k saini
I'd installed oracle90 and 1.2.2 in different oracle homes. There was no error message. When i pressed the icon. Nothing happens.
Yesterday i installed also a 8.1.7 database on the same machine as the 9.0.1.4 database. After a reinstallation of appserv 1.2.2a everything seems to work fine.
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gr.
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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

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!

Powerbook G4 won't start up totally! HELP!

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