Mark_1981
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Powerbook G4 17" (2003)

Hi everyone,

 

I have a problem with my 2003 model PowerBook G4. The notebook refuses to power up fully. When I press the power button,  I hear the DVD make a noise, but then nothing. The laptop is powered up as the caps lock key lights up when pressed. I did receive 3 short beeps on one occasion, which I know to be something to do with the RAM, so I changed the RAM for new and I no longer get any beeps, but still no display. The battery is good, its shows that it is charging etc. Is the laptop dead is my question?

 

Any help appreciated,

 

Mark J

Posted on Dec 14, 2012 3:17 AM

Close
Mark_1981

Q: Powerbook G4 17" (2003)

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Knucklesmac,

    Knucklesmac Knucklesmac Dec 14, 2012 3:21 AM in response to Mark_1981
    Level 4 (2,225 points)
    Dec 14, 2012 3:21 AM in response to Mark_1981

    Hello,

     

    Have you tried connecting the PowerBook to an external monitor?

    Try resting the PMU to see if that help. Sometimes when you replace faulty memory it need a rest.

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431

  • by Mark_1981,

    Mark_1981 Mark_1981 Dec 14, 2012 3:35 AM in response to Knucklesmac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 14, 2012 3:35 AM in response to Knucklesmac

    Hi Knucklesmac,

     

    Just tried that to no avail.... Just so I'm clear, what is the reset procedure for G4 model number A1052? Any other ideas?

     

    Cheers,

     

    Mark

  • by Knucklesmac,

    Knucklesmac Knucklesmac Dec 14, 2012 3:38 AM in response to Mark_1981
    Level 4 (2,225 points)
    Dec 14, 2012 3:38 AM in response to Mark_1981

    Hello,

     

    You need to take off the battery and un plug the PowerBook.

    Hold down the power button for five seconds.

    Then put your battery back in and plug it back in. Try switching it on after that.

     

    Hopefully it will help. (Fingers crossed)

  • by Mark_1981,

    Mark_1981 Mark_1981 Dec 14, 2012 4:07 AM in response to Knucklesmac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 14, 2012 4:07 AM in response to Knucklesmac

    Still no joy I'm afraid. It makes a sound from the DVD drive but no display and I can't hear any fans etc...

  • by Mark_1981,

    Mark_1981 Mark_1981 Dec 14, 2012 4:12 AM in response to Mark_1981
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 14, 2012 4:12 AM in response to Mark_1981

    Also I ahve plugged into an external monitor, still no display

  • by Knucklesmac,

    Knucklesmac Knucklesmac Dec 14, 2012 5:17 AM in response to Mark_1981
    Level 4 (2,225 points)
    Dec 14, 2012 5:17 AM in response to Mark_1981

    I've have this current problem with a friends Acer laptop.

    It turned out to be a problem with the memory.

    I'd check that you have the correct memory and it's seated correctly.

    I would expect to hear bleeps, but that's not always the case if it's due to a problem with the memory module. (Like the Acer)

    Double check the memory.

     

    Best of luck

  • by Mark_1981,

    Mark_1981 Mark_1981 Dec 14, 2012 5:23 AM in response to Knucklesmac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 14, 2012 5:23 AM in response to Knucklesmac

    A bit of good news, I left the laptop powered off and unplugged, then started it up. It booted into OSX, which is great. However it freezes as soon as it loads the desktop. Will try to put some larger RAM in, as I only put 512MB in to test. Will keep you informed!

     

    Thanks for all your help so far!

     

    Mark

  • by bvalls06,

    bvalls06 bvalls06 Dec 22, 2012 3:42 PM in response to Knucklesmac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 22, 2012 3:42 PM in response to Knucklesmac

    Hello all.  I've been having a similar(not identical) issue lately. Please help.

    The info: PowerBook G4, screen developed vertical lines about 3 years ago. I had the screen replaced at my local Mac store.

    Now... My screen went completely black on me, while surfing the nets.

    I don't have the money to have the screen replaced right now, so, fearing that my issue is the screen(again), I bought an auxiliary monitor cable( DVI-to-VGA) as a short-term fix.

    Now, I get home and plug my PowerBook into the back of my Sony Z series HD tv....... And....

    I get the Mac wallpaper( the cosmos default wallpaper) but, no box to log in with.

    I can't see the user account log-in box that pops us before you can access the computer.

     

    I am stuck. Can anyone help, and suggest possible issues, or give ideas to what I am experiencing?

    I appreciate all help.

  • by Knucklesmac,

    Knucklesmac Knucklesmac Dec 22, 2012 4:01 PM in response to bvalls06
    Level 4 (2,225 points)
    Dec 22, 2012 4:01 PM in response to bvalls06

    Hello,

    No doubt your screen settings is in correct.

    You may not have the screen setup as mirror, but set to extended monitor, which means you will not see the log in screen as its shown on the main PowerBook screen which you have established is not working.

    The only thing you could do is boot to safe mode and see if you can change the monitor setup from extended to mirror.

    This is the link to help you boot to safe mode. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455

     

    Best of luck

  • by bvalls06,

    bvalls06 bvalls06 Dec 23, 2012 6:14 AM in response to Knucklesmac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 23, 2012 6:14 AM in response to Knucklesmac

    Hello again, we'll, I've tried the safe boot method as you've recommended. But, unfortunately, this didn't help.

    The screen stayed black(on my PowerBook) and the screen on my tv was black, with only a white box in the middle(no actions were possible). I tried moving my finger along the trackpad to see if the mouse icon would show up, or, I would accidentally click on something(even though I couldn't see anything).

    No luck.

    Thank you for the consideration. I'm willing to try anything else, if anyone has any ideas. Otherwise, I'm convinced that I will have to bite the bullet and have a tech look into it.

  • by Texas Mac Man,

    Texas Mac Man Texas Mac Man Dec 23, 2012 7:21 AM in response to Mark_1981
    Level 8 (46,611 points)
    Dec 23, 2012 7:21 AM in response to Mark_1981

    Troubleshooting portables that won't turn on or start up

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TA25686?viewlocale=en_US

     

    Troubleshooting: My computer won't turn on

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1367

     

     Cheers, Tom