Starting up my ibook

When i start up my ibook everything goes fine until the desktop comes up, then the screen gets a shade darker and a message comes up telling me I need to restart my computer (even though I just started it up) and that I can either use the restart key or the power key. I usually go through this two or three times before I can finally start up my computer and have it actually work. Any ideas what this might be?? Is my ibook dying on me? Thanks for any help you can give

Hi, and welcome to Apple Discussions.
What you are experiencing is called a kernel panic.
The first thing I would recommend is to try starting up from the Mac OS X Install Disk by inserting the disk and restarting your computer holding down the C key at the end of the startup chime. Then choose Installer>Open Disk Utility and select the hard drive in the left column. Click First Aid. Click Repair Disk to test and repair the hard drive.
Once the hard drive is repaired, try to restart normally, and go to Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility and repair permissions on the hard drive.
See if a little hard drive maintenance helps things out.
Let us know how things go.

Similar Messages

Getting started with an iBook G3?

Hey,
I just got an iBook G3 (500mhz, snow, airport, 10gb hd, upgraded ram), to compliment my iMac (G5 rev c) and I'm a little new.
It was used, I got it via trade.
Does anyone have some tips for me to get started with it ? I'm wanting to upgrade the HD to at least 20 GB, and to max out the ram. Any hints on that ?
Also, where can I get a new battery and charger ?
Also, what else should I know about it ?
It will mainly be used for writing (novel, fan-fics), surfing the web (wirelessly), and when I'm traveling...
Oh, it has OSX10.2 installed.

Hi, Josh. Welcome to Apple Discussions.
How much RAM is installed?
Does it have the original AirPort card installed? (You may want to install one, if not, to enable wireless access to the internet.)
Did the original system CD's and the OS X 10.2 software CD's come with it? If not, try to get the person you got it from to give them to you. You will need them if you intend to upgrade the hard drive (and for maintenance, even if you don't upgrade the hard drive).
Hard drive upgrade services:
MCE Technologies
DT & T Computer Services
A hard drive upgrade is very complicated, and best left to a professional.
Check out the procedure:
http://www.pbfixit.com/Guide/50.12.0.html
http://www.powerbooktech.com/knowledge,name-Hard-Drive,type-6.htm
http://uk.geocities.com/ibookupgrade/
http://sterpin.net/uk/ddibookdualuk.htm
Hard Drives:
Other World Computing
Newegg
Batteries:
http://www.powergears.com/product.php?catID=1100&p=1
http://www.computergiants.com/items/one_item.asp?part=71148&cat=99&subsubcat=115 2
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=M93 37G/A
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BAPIB111V36/
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BAPIB111V48/
Adapters:
I have found the following options for replacing a white iBook power adapter:
http://www.macresq.com/store/detail.php?prodID=P009141
MCE Technologies
http://www.madsonline.com/index.html?
adapter at Other World Computing
Apple's is the only one with the glowing ring, though, and is found here:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=M89 43LL/A
Enough dual USB G3 iBooks suffered from a logic board problem that Apple began the iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program in January of 2004. Check out the FAQ page and be aware of how this logic board problem manifests itself.
It has been suggested that you can minimize the chance of a logic board failure of this sort by never picking it up by the front left corner alone. Pick it up with both hands or in the center under the trackpad.
It's also a good idea not to close it any more often than you need to in order to minimize the chance of the backlight cable (and other cables and wires) becoming pinched in the hinge or broken. When you have some time, check out the Discussion thread in the Displays Forum entitled 90 degrees and black out!!!!
Information on using the battery to maximize both life and lifespan can be found here.
You can download the manual for the iBook (Dual USB) from this page:
http://www.apple.com/support/manuals/ibook/
Good luck, and happy iBooking!

Need help starting very troubled iBook

About a week ago I started having problems starting my iBook (it would get stuck on the Apple screen), and the few times I could get it to start up, it would lock up soon after. So I've already decided the end is near for it and I've upgraded to a MacBook.
However, I'd like to get on my iBook at least one last time to deuathorize a few programs and grab a few files. But now it's even worse than last week. Instead of getting stuck on the Apple screen, it just shuts down. I started it from a Techtool Pro CD, however that's got its own set of problems (probably part of a different discussion, but for whatever it's worth, it runs into problems with the SMART drive and surface scan, although it won't let me run any of the repair functions).
Anyway, now I want to run Disk Utility and see if that fares any better, but I can't figure out how to eject the Techtool Pro disk. I tried holding down the mouse button while restarting, but the computer shuts down before it gets a chance to eject. I also tried reseting the PRAM, but again it just shuts down shortly after the third chime. Does anyone have any suggestions?
iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Try starting in Open Firmware and ejecting the diasc.
1. Restart the computer.
2. Immediately after the startup sound, press and hold the key combination Command-Option-O-F.
Note: The Command key has the Apple and () icons on it.
3. Release the keys when you see a white screen that says "Welcome to Open Firmware."
4. At the prompt, type: eject cd
5. Press Return, then wait a few seconds. The disc drive should eject any disc that is present, and "ok" appears behind your command when the action is complete.
6. Type: mac-boot
7. Press Return.
Your computer should now start up normally.
John

Safari, itunes, and Adobe Reader wont start up on iBook G4

I have an iBook G4 that I purchased from a friend a few months ago that seemed to be working fine up until two days ago. Now for almost no reason at all, Safari, itunes and Adobe reader will not open anymore. Can someone please help me?

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Did your friend give you the system discs for the machine? If not, get them. Then see if you can boot from the Tiger disc and repair your boot drive.
Also, you can go to Disk Utility and try repairing permissions. If you have downloaded software and not done this, there will likely be many permissions to repair. Downloading can change permissions, and it is good practice to repair permissions after downloading software.
While in Disk Utility, check the SMART status of the drive. If it says anything other than "verified", the drive is on the way out. It may also be on the way out even if DU says that SMART is verified.
If you can get the discs, also see if you can find the Apple Hardware Test and boot to it and run the extended version of it.
Does the iBook still have its original hard drive? If so, the drive could be beginning to fail. If that's the case, you will need to replace it.
This is just a place to start. Report back with how it goes.
Good luck!

Lost original start up CDs iBook G4

I can't get past the initial grey screen on start up with my (old) iBook G4, and have tried all sorts of fixes apart from using the original start-up disks, because I can't find them...!
Does anyone know how I can replace the required disks? As I understand it they are specific to my individual computer. Figured I might be able to get them through Apple or sthg, but don't want to spend too much considering all my stuff was backed up anyway (fairly recently) and I've just bought a new Macbook. Would be good to get the iBook running though so I could port my stuff across and maybe pass it on to my niece!
Would appreciate any help!

That does sound pretty expensive! There is one thing that you could try doing that won't cost anything, and that is to see if you can download the AHT and burn a disc and see if you can boot from that:
http://www.info.apple.com/support/aht.html
If this works, you will be able to at least evaluate the hardware and decide if the iBook is worth putting any money into. I would be inclined to not put any real money into it until you have run the AHT and determined that everything is working properly.
Depending on the iBook, it would also run Tiger and possibly even Leopard. If it is the one with the 800 MHz processor, it will not be able to run Leopard. I don't know what sources are available in the UK that would be like EBay or Craig's List, but you could try hunting for a full retail version of Tiger.
You said you tied a lot of things. Did you try a PRAM reset followed by a Safe Boot?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379?viewlocale=en_US
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455?viewlocale=en_US
Hold down the keys until you hear the third chime. Then you can hold down the shift key and try to boot into Safe Mode, which often takes a long time.
How is your stuff backed up? If you happened to have made a bootable clone on an external firewire drive, you could boot up from that.
It may be worth a hunt for the original discs. For example, if you saved the original box and packaging, you may have left the discs in it. Or you may have squirreled them away in a good safe place. Maybe think about it as you go to sleep at night, and maybe it'll come back to you where they might be.
The iBook can be run from the power adaptor alone and even from an external firewire hard drive. I would recommend running it like this for a while, making sure it's working before investing any real money in it. Also check the iBook support site--I think there may still be a battery recall, and if you happen to have one that has been recalled, you could get a free replacement battery.
IBooks are often prone to logic board problems, and if this is the basic problem, I don't think it will be worth the cost of repair. You might want to look at this site:
http://www.coreyarnold.org/ibook/
You can probably look for iBooks for sale in your area and see what they are going for. That will be a good indication of how much or little you should spend to get yours going again.
Do you happen to have access to an Apple Store? If so, you might be able to take it in and get an opinion as to what is wrong with it. I think they would have discs or a store feed that they could boot it from, and they should be able to do this at no cost to you.
Good luck!

Trouble starting up my iBook

My iBook can't startup on its hard disk.
It all started I noticed considerably slow reaction times to input and Safari kept crashing when I tried loading web pages. I restarted by holding down the power button. The iBook booted to the terminal. I restarted again and again it booted up to the terminal. I restarted a third time, and I got the restart message when I got to the grey screen with the Apple logo.
Now when I try to start it up, it flashes a picture of a globe. After a minute, it switches to a folder that flashes between a question mark and the Mac face. I've used Tech Tool Deluxe, Disk Utility, Apple Hardware Test, and the restore trying to solve the problem.
*Tech Tool Deluxe*
The block test and volume structure test failed. However, Tech Tool reported unusual changes after repairs.
*Disk Utility*
When I start up disk utility, the named volume for the iBook's hard drive was greyed out and I couldn't verify or repair permissions. The hard drive has a little over 6 GB free.
When I verified the disk, I got this error:
Invalid B-tree node size.
Volume needs to be repaired.
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit.
Then, when I tried to repair the hard drive I got:
Invalid B-tree node size.
Volume check failed.
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit.
The drive's SMART status was verified.
*Apple Hardware Test*
Everything passed.
I tried doing a fresh install, but the iBook's hard drive doesn't show up when selecting a destination.
This problem also happened a couple months ago. Then, I just erased the hard drive and reinstalled OS X. It worked fine until all of this happened.
I am at lost at how to fix this except to wipe the hard drive and reinstall again. Is there any other solution for my probem?

After you Mac seems frozen, is there any strange noise from the hard disk? Any activity? In that case, it could be that your hard disk is dead. Not much you can do to fix it, although you could try a couple of recovery utilities to recover any important files. I would recomment DataRescue, the best I've used up to date.
However, if you don't have any important data on your disk, don't try to rescue anything, since the procedure takes hours to days, depending on how much physical damage you HD already has.
I have found that sometimes it helps to place the HD to be recovered in the freezer! I would be cautious putting the iBook in deep freeze, though...

Problems starting up my ibook g4

hello, can someone please help me?
my ibook g4 is having problems starting up! when i switch it on, the blue screen comes on and then it goes to the apple logo and then.......it stays like that! it sounds like there is some clicking coming from the computer's internals, like it's stuck on something!
i was using a scanner last light and today i had to take my laptop away with me! i removed the usb cable and ever since the computer won't start up!
is there a solution anyone can offer me before i have to take it to my local mac repair center ( i have important work to finish quickly and i may struggle to find the cash to pay the engineers)!
thanks,
alex thompson, belfast
[email protected]

See if this thread in MacFixIt helps!
http://www.macfixitforums.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=Forum35&Number=759799&page =0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=31&fpart=1
rrS
G4 tower & G4 iBook Mac OS X (10.3.9) Software airport base station

I cant start up my iBook

IT was working properly but then after a day i tried to turn it on, it takes for ages to show the 3 by 4 screen with MAC Os X and a blue strip with prompts changing as it grows, my point is that it stops at "login window starting" and stays there. HOW CAN I GET IT TO WORK?
PLEASE HELP ME!!!

You might give this a try:
You will need to type some Unix commands. If you are not comfortable with this, I don't know of anything other than a re-install. But if you are careful, you should be OK. I recommend you print this out in a largish mono-spaced font so you don't miss any spaces (or add extra ones). Note that case is important.
Be careful. Some of these commands are dangerous, since you are going to be root.
Start up in Single-User mode by holding down the command (Apple) key and the 's' key while you press the power switch. You can let go the keys when you see white text on a black background. When this has finished you will see a prompt ending in '#', although there may be other messages. Type
/sbin/fsck -fy
followed by a return, at the prompt and wait a few seconds for 8-10 lines of output. If the last line says repairs were carried out, repeat this command until you get a message 'The volume <yourdiskname> appears to be OK'. Then continue with
/sbin/mount -uw /
cd /Library/Preferences
rm com.apple.loginwindow.plist
rm com.apple.windowserver.plist
cd /Library/Caches
rm -r *
cd /System/Library
rm Extensions.kextcache
cd /System/Library/Caches
rm -r *
reboot
This should now take you to a proper login screen after the normal boot sequence. You should then Repair Permissions by using Disk Utility (in your /Applications/Utilities folder).
If you get error messages saying files do not exist, note them carefully and just type reboot. Post back to say how far you got and what messages were output.

OS X Leopard 10.5 can't start installation on iBook G4

I recently bought a used iBook g4 from a friend of mine and it is in good condition, aside from the battery, meaning it only works when Plugged in to charge. I tried to install os x leopard 10.5 from the DVD, but after clicking continue when prompted to restart the computer to continue installation, it goes to the white screen with gray apple logo and spinning wheel, and never leaves that screen. I have tried resetting PRAM, holding c while booting, checked the filesystem (fsck -y) and nothing works. Also, when I use disk utility to check the install disk, it says it can't be verified, but I also can't repair the disk. Please Help! I don't want to have wasted money and time on this laptop!

The full retail Apple Mac OS X Leopard 10.5 DVD from Apple is the method and license.
Since the Installer is a bootable volume on the DVD, it has to run the computer, or be of significant ability to be seen by the computer as a valid and complete volume capable of the installer, when it is not, it will not work.
And a download OSX version of an older system or even a newer one, may contain errors or parts not originally intended to be in the system, and there was not an official full retail download of Leopard 10.5; only an update Combo 10.5.8 download, requiring a pre-existing correctly installed lower version of Leopard 10.5.
There is almost no way to tell if the download was anything valid, or where the source you got it from, got their illegal copy from. Do not use it.
Good luck & happy computing!

Back-up and New Start for my iBook

I have an iBook (Power PC G3) which is running on Mac OS X 10.1.5 at the moment and struggling with that. I have just got an external firewire hard drive and an extra 256 MB RAM to help it along, and am now considering how best to back up what's on it, completely clear it and restart, possibly with a newer OS. As I've never done anything like that before I would be very grateful to anybody who can give me directions on how best to do it.
I have also heard that partitioning the hard drive could be a good idea, to put the OS and software on one partition and my files on another - is that to be recommended? Is there anything I need to be careful of? Do I also need to partition my external drive for the back-up? I already have some files on it - would I have to put them on a CD first and reformat?
What's the best way of backing up my files and programmes? Can I just copy my hard drive to the external drive or do I need to use a special programme to make a backup?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Sarah

Sarah:
How large is your internal Hard Disk Drive (HDD)?
How large is your external FireWire HDD?
Some observations:
Good move getting an external HDD. The larger the better.
If you have a very small internal HDD you might want to replace that eventually.
Creating partitions, if you have a very large external, can be useful. However, it is not a good idea to put your OS, applications or data on different partitions. It has a number of drawbacks. One of them is that as your data grows if you need the space that is on one of the other partitions, you have a real problem. Another, the whole OS is designed to work together, and is more efficient if the OS, applications and data are on the same partition.
I have my external FW HDD set up so that I have a partition of the size of my internal HDD for backing up my internal HDD. I have a partition on which I have the previous OS installed. I have one that I call Scratch, but for moving things around or storing odds and ends etc.
You need to upgrade your OS to a more stable version of OS X. I suggest Panther (10.3x) but your computer will support Tiger as well (10.4x) Here are the minimum system requirements for Panther, and for Tiger. You will need to purchase the Full Retail version of Tiger or of Panther . Be aware that Computer specific or upgrade versions should be avoided as they can cause problems. Besides, it may be a violation of the Software License Agreement which statesThis License allows you to install and use one copy of the Apple Software on a single computer at a time. This License does not allow the Apple Software to exist on more than one computer at a time...Tiger can be purchased from the Apple Store and Panther (or Tiger on CDs) from applerescue.
Finally, how to backup your internal HDD to your external Firewire HDD. The preferred method is to clone your entire internal HDD using a utility like Carbon Copy Cloner(CCC) or SuperDuper(SD). You will first need to format your external HDD using Disk Tuility (post back for more help with this). Make sure that the Volume Format is Mac OS Extended. When you use either CCC or SD, make sure you select the option to Make Bootable.
So much for now. You are on the right track. Post back with further questions or comments.
Good luck.
cornelius
Message was edited by: cornelius

Why do I get a ? when I start up my ibook G4?

I took my imac laptop G4 out of mothballs and cannot get it to start up....it shows me a question mark (?) when I attempt to start it up.....any solutions here? I've tried resetting the pram with no luck...any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

There are four general causes of this issue:
1. The computer's PRAM no longer contains a valid startup disk setting when there aren't any problems with the disk itself. This can be checked for by pressing the Option key and seeing if the drive appears.
2. The internal drive's directory structure has become damaged. This requires usage of an alternate bootable system to perform the repair.
3. Critical system files have been deleted. This requires usage of an alternate bootable system to reinstall them.
4. The internal drive has died or become unplugged. This is the most likely case if the computer took a sharp impact or there are unusual sounds coming from the hard drive's location.
(88443)

Start and Stop iBooks

I need to know how I begin and finally end a text to speech voice reading on iBook

Hi karlssongunvor,
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!
The feature you are looking for is a great feature. Please read over and use the following article as a resource and for steps for enabling Text to Speech.
OS X Mavericks: Hear your Mac speak text
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14230
Have a great day,
Joe

I replaced my iBook's RAM (256MB) with a 512MB, and it wont start up now!

Hello! I just replaced my existing 256MB RAM with a 512MB of RAM. When I started up my iBook, all that came up was a flashing OS 9 looking folder to the same folder with a question mark on it. What does that mean? Do I have to reflash the P-RAM or something (whatever that means)? I never attempted to replace laptop ram before, so I do not know if I did something wrong, or if I just don't have the right kind of memory. Could someone help me? Thanks!
Just for the record, I think im running OS 10.4.9. Thanks!!!!!

Have you removed the RAM and reseated it? Here is the link to the Apple Knowledge Base article that tells you how to do it:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=111918
If reseating it doesn't help, it could be that the RAM is defective. (This happened twice with RAM I ordered. It was defective from the very start, and the vendor replaced it for me.) Try starting up with the 512 MB module removed and see it it starts up that way.
Please let us know how things go.

Getting started ibooks pdf

Is there a pdf for beginners on how to get started in selling ibooks.
Im new here and cannot find a simple What to do to get started.
I have the pdf on apps. But after ten pages of how to sign in and make apps. No word whats needed for selling ibooks.
Thanks for answering a stupid question.

http://www.apple.com/itunes/working-itunes/sell-content/books/book-faq.html

Even after software restore, ibook does not start up - shows ?

My ibook was having problems starting up, most times a "?" blinking while trying to start up. So I started up using the starup disc while holding down the "C" key. I reinstalled the system software choosing to erase the HD and start from scratch.
When i go to start up the ibook with the freshly installed system, i am still getting the blinking "?". does this mean i have a hardware problem?

See A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac.

Starting up my ibook

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