sbrown88

Q: PowerBook G4 will not start

Have tried safe mode and a start from CD but all I get is the Apple logo and spinning gears. Any help will be appreciated.

 

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Posted on Jul 26, 2015 6:20 PM

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Q: PowerBook G4 will not start

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  • by Carolyn Samit,

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Jul 18, 2015 2:02 PM in response to sbrown88
    Level 10 (123,770 points)
    Apple Music
    Jul 18, 2015 2:02 PM in response to sbrown88

    Which OS X is installed on your Mac?

  • by sbrown88,

    sbrown88 sbrown88 Jul 18, 2015 2:20 PM in response to sbrown88
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 18, 2015 2:20 PM in response to sbrown88

    Probably about 9.6. It's a old G4 Powerbook used by the kids.

  • by sbrown88,

    sbrown88 sbrown88 Jul 18, 2015 2:29 PM in response to sbrown88
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 18, 2015 2:29 PM in response to sbrown88

    The AppleCare disk with TechTool Deluxe is OS 9.1

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Jul 26, 2015 12:53 PM in response to sbrown88
    Level 6 (14,523 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 26, 2015 12:53 PM in response to sbrown88

    Do you have the original grey-label Apple install-restore disc that shipped

    with the computer and not some other disc included with AppleCare plan?

     

    The disc for the computer would have its name on it. Or if you had installed

    a later OS X version than the one it shipped with, that DVD could be used.

     

    Unless you are trying to restore an old pre- OS X system. The early G4

    portable Apple computers could start in Mac OS9.x until PowerBook3.5.

     

    For details you could check your product information against the database

    at http://everymac.com for your model info, in early PowerBook G4 series.

     

    A retail Tiger 10.4 DVD should be able to start the computer, and use its

    Disk Utility to see about checking the hard drive; or use its tools to setup

    a replacement drive if the internal one has failed. It should be replaced

    if not already; that is a consumable. Tiger is the last OS X it could use.

     

    There is a fair chance the old computer's original hard disk drive has failed

    or some other issue is causing the symptoms you've witnessed. Some old

    iBook or PowerBook G4 models may've had hardware issues w/ logic boards.

     

    Is this is your PowerBook G4 (with old MacOS9.1 as a main system, + early OS X?

     

    OVERVIEW

     

    Introduced    January 2001

    Discontinued    October 2001

    Model Identifier    PowerBook3,2

    Model Number    M5884

    EMC    1854

    Order Number    M7952LL/A (400 MHz) M7710LL/A (500 MHz)

    Initial Price    $2,599 (400 MHz) $3,499 (500 MHz)

    Support Status    Obsolete

    Weight and Dimensions    5.3 lbs., 1" H x 13.4" W x 9.5" D

    PROCESSOR

     

    Processor    PowerPC 7410 v1.3 (G4)

    Processor Speed    400 or 500 MHz

     

    SOFTWARE

     

    Original OS    Mac OS 9.1

    Later OS    Mac OS 9.1 and Mac OS X 10.1.1 (5M45)

    Maximum OS    Mac OS X 10.4.11

    Hardware Test    AHT (PowerBook) 1.1, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3

     

    {info from http://mactracker.ca database download application}

     

    It may help to identify the unit, since there are several but they vary somewhat.

    Good luck in any event...!