PrettyFawn

Q: My iBook crashed.  I tried to install the original factory OS 10.1.4, but it wouldn't let me select the hard drive because it was read-only.  I was using classic OS 9 when it crashed.  I tried to install OS 9, but it's the same problem.  HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really need my OS 9 because I a lot of software that use it.

iBook, Mac OS X (10.1.x), Includes classic OS 9

Posted on Feb 5, 2012 6:05 AM

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Q: My iBook crashed.  I tried to install the original factory OS 10.1.4, but it wouldn't let me select the hard drive because it ... more

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  • by Ronda Wilson,Helpful

    Ronda Wilson Ronda Wilson Feb 5, 2012 7:34 AM in response to PrettyFawn
    Level 8 (41,547 points)
    Feb 5, 2012 7:34 AM in response to PrettyFawn

    Hi, and welcome to Apple Support Communities.

     

    What is the hard drive capacity and how much space remains available on it?

     

    Do you mean that it was started up in OS 9 when it crashed? Or were you using OS 9 in classic mode while booted in OS X?

     

    Did you boot from the original Install disc by holding down the c key during startup? If the original software CDs are showing that the hard drive is read-only, then it sounds as if it has hard drive problems.

  • by PrettyFawn,Helpful

    PrettyFawn PrettyFawn Feb 5, 2012 8:28 PM in response to Ronda Wilson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 5, 2012 8:28 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

    Hi Ronda!  Thank you for trying to help me.  I don't think I know the hard drive capacity, but it wasn't much for the G3.  (I don't know what capacity means).

     

    The space available on it:  I didn't have anything on it except what was factory default applications and they were empty.  For example, no movies, no songs, no photos, and no documents.

     

    I'm not sure; I was in OS X 10.1.4 when I had to go into settings and choose classic OS 9, but I think I had to reboot in order to use OS 9.

     

    Yes, I held down the C key during start-up.  Is there anyway to fix the hard drive?  Do I still have a hard drive?  Who would fix my old iBook?  It was fine before it crashed.  I had a DVD in the DVD player that taught math.  I didn't download anything. 

  • by Ronda Wilson,

    Ronda Wilson Ronda Wilson Feb 5, 2012 11:50 PM in response to PrettyFawn
    Level 8 (41,547 points)
    Feb 5, 2012 11:50 PM in response to PrettyFawn

    Try starting up while pressing Command-Option-Shift-Delete during startup and see if that gets you started up in one version of the OS or another.

  • by PrettyFawn,

    PrettyFawn PrettyFawn Feb 6, 2012 7:25 AM in response to Ronda Wilson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 6, 2012 7:25 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

    Thank you Ronda for responding again.  I really appreciate this.  Did you mean to hold down the command option shift and delete keys during start up with the install disks, or without?  I tried holding all four keys down during start up without the install disk, and what comes up are the pictures of the finder and a question mark that keep blinking and won't bring up anything else on screen.

  • by Ronda Wilson,Solvedanswer

    Ronda Wilson Ronda Wilson Feb 6, 2012 11:00 AM in response to PrettyFawn
    Level 8 (41,547 points)
    Feb 6, 2012 11:00 AM in response to PrettyFawn

    I meant without the install disc.

     

    What happens if you hold down the x key during startup? (Also without the install disc.)

     

    Normally, this will force it to boot into OS X.

     

    If that doesn't work, check out this Apple Knowledge Base article for instructions on how to repair the hard drive:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417

     

    The iBook is about ten years old at this point. The hard drive may have failed, but maybe you can do some maintenance and get it running again. Don't get your hopes up too high, though.

  • by PrettyFawn,

    PrettyFawn PrettyFawn Feb 6, 2012 1:54 PM in response to Ronda Wilson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 6, 2012 1:54 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

    Thank you Ronda for all your help and pointing me in the right direction.  God bless you!  I will write back in this discussion and inform you if this fixes my hard drive.  Thank you so very much!  ~~~. Anna