jones1186

Q: i got this flashing question mark, i did some research into this and found out that the hard drive is the cause

i recently found my ibook and decided to see if it would still turn on. it did but i got this flashing question mark, i did some research into this and found out that the hard drive is the cause. so i opened it up replaced the hard drive and closed it up, booted from the disc and crossed my fingers but it did not pick up the hard drive. i thought it might not have been installed properly, so i opened it up to check the connections to make shure they were secure and closed it back up but now it wont even boot from the disc. so dose anyone know whats wrong with it because i really don't just want throw it away if its a simple fix. please if anyone know i would greatly appreciate it.

 

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Posted on Mar 2, 2015 10:05 AM

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Q: i got this flashing question mark, i did some research into this and found out that the hard drive is the cause

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  • by Jan Hedlund,

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Feb 17, 2015 5:09 AM in response to jones1186
    Level 6 (9,894 points)
    Feb 17, 2015 5:09 AM in response to jones1186

    You do not mention which iBook model it is (nor the operating system version). It may not be a bad idea to try resetting the PRAM and the Power Management Unit to begin with. Take a look at the articles http://support.apple.com/us-en/HT204063 (for NVRAM on newer Macs, but basically the same) and http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1431.

     

    Jan

  • by jones1186,

    jones1186 jones1186 Feb 18, 2015 6:15 AM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 18, 2015 6:15 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

    This is what i have 20150218_081131-1.jpg

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Feb 18, 2015 4:36 PM in response to jones1186
    Level 6 (14,345 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 18, 2015 4:36 PM in response to jones1186

    There often were more than one build of Apple computer per model number designation...

     

    In the instance of iBook (white dualUSB) there appear to be two with number A-1007.

    And both of these were 14-inch display models.

     

    •iBook G3/800 14-Inch (32 VRAM - Tr) 800 MHz PowerPC 750fx (G3)

    •iBook G3/900 14-Inch (Early 2003 - Op) 900 MHz PowerPC 750fx (G3)


    •Apple iBook Specs (All iBook Technical Specs) for entire series - everymac:

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


    There are a few fairly good repair guides online, some on http://iFixit.com site.


    Here's the link to the early iBook G3 series, includes color + white dualUSB.

    If your iBook is a 14-inch G3 white dualUSB model that one is there, too:


    •iBook G3 Repair guides - iFixit:

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iBook_G3

     

    Either of these may be able to run a system no later than OS X Tiger 10.4.11.

    So a system install disc set could be used to troubleshoot, install, restore &

    prepare a replacement hard drive for a new system.

     

    Not certain what the issues are behind your situation, there may be more than

    meets the eye. Some models of iBook were more prone to hardware problems

    and as they age, fewer opportunities to affordably repair them exist.

     

    Good luck in resolving the iBook G3 issues...!

  • by jones1186,

    jones1186 jones1186 Feb 18, 2015 6:34 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 18, 2015 6:34 PM in response to K Shaffer

    I've been using that I fix it site thee I first pulled out the Mac, and I found a few ways to reset stuff on it to locate the hard drive but its still not working it boots from the CD but Does not  locate the hard drive so I don't know if they'r Is something wrong with the  hard drive if it's  not formatted correctly or if there's something wrong with my logic board

  • by Jan Hedlund,

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Feb 20, 2015 5:22 AM in response to jones1186
    Level 6 (9,894 points)
    Feb 20, 2015 5:22 AM in response to jones1186

    >it boots from the CD but Does not  locate the hard drive

     

    Does this also mean that Disk Utility (or another disk utility on a CD) was used without the hard drive being recognised/listed?

     

    Jan

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Feb 20, 2015 12:29 PM in response to jones1186
    Level 6 (14,345 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 20, 2015 12:29 PM in response to jones1186

    Without an externally (FW) enclosed hard drive or second Mac which may be used

    with FireWire Target Disk Mode, troubleshooting the internal hard drive in a PPC Mac

    may be difficult. These prefer to boot from FireWire external drives; and a new install

    could be put on one, if correctly formatted for use, and if the FW drive has a chip-set

    in the enclosure that is recognized by the computer's hardware & OS X.

     

    The internal hard disk drive and cable, may be worth looking into. A replacement of

    each could be warranted as part of the troubleshooting; given the access problems

    in opening up these iBook computers, additional damage may result.

     

    Sorry to not have a specific answer to your question(s).

    Good luck in any event...!