Q: iBook stuck at blue start up screen, help!

Hi, Danny. Welcome to Apple Support Communities.

Which exact iBook model is it?

You can choose from this list:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ibook/index-ibook.html

How much RAM is installed?

What kind of optical drive does it have? (CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, or Combo?)

Do you have another Mac equipped with FireWire? If so, you may be able to use it to retrieve the data from the iBook's hard drive.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661

You should be able to find out what the original configuration was and get the processor information, original hard drive capacity and optical drive information from the label which has the serial number on it.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TA27282?viewlocale=en_US

so you don't got the original install disks or any install disk at all? if you did you could have erased the hard drive and reinstall mac os x 10.4

However, if you erase and install with a retail Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) disc, you will lose the original applications that were included on the iBook when it was new, but are not included on the retail system disc.

i guess that's true but it'll fix the blue screen of death.

You're going to have to find some sort of discs somewhere, and they will have to be either exactly the same as the ones that came with the iBook when it was new or the Mac OS X 10.4 retail full Install disc (which usually came on a DVD). The Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) disc can't say "Upgrade" or "Drop-in Install" on it. It must not be a gray disc (or set of discs). Gray discs are system-specific, and can only be used with the system with which it shipped. If you get gray discs, they must be the exact same as the ones that came with the iBook when it was new.

i can't seem to find any ibook g3 original install disks on ebay or anywhere.

dannny021 wrote:

 

from the list, i'm not 100%sure which one it is all i know is its a 2002 model and i think its either the: iBook G3/700 14 inch (16VRAM Tr) or the iBook G3/800 14 inch (32VRAM Tr)

 

im not sure about the RAM sorry :/

 

You should be able to find out what the original configuration was and get the processor information, original hard drive capacity and optical drive information from the label which has the serial number on it.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TA27282?viewlocale=en_US

In order to search for the original discs, you need to confirm which exact model it is by looking at the sticker with the serial number on it.

Either of the models you mention meets the requirements for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger), which usually came on a DVD.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

But it must be a full retail version of Mac OS X 10.4, not gray system-specific discs.

You should be able to find out what the original configuration was and get the processor information, original hard drive capacity and optical drive information from the label which has the serial number on it.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TA27282?viewlocale=en_US

In order to search for the original discs, you need to confirm which exact model it is by looking at the sticker with the serial number on it. We can help you look for the right system discs if you can tell us which exact model it is.

Either of the models you mention meets the requirements for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger), which usually came on a DVD.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

But it must be a full retail version of Mac OS X 10.4, not gray system-specific discs.