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?

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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 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.
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http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.
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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!

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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!
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HELP!!! PowerBook G4 won't start up!!

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Powerbook G4 won't start up totally! HELP!

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Message was edited by: arnie

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.
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Best of luck.

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!

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