Spinning Gear Startup, nothing works (yet)

Question

Spinning Gear Startup, nothing works (yet)

Hey, everyone. I was using my Powerbook, running Firefox, iPhoto (big library), Skype and probably Adium. Something was stalling so I tried to force quit. When that didn't work, I held down the power button and forced a shut down. When I went to start my computer, it stalls on the Apple logo and spinning gear icon.

When I hold down shift while starting up, I get to the Apple and spinning gear screen before my computer suddenly and unexpectedly shuts down. I have also tried starting from CD, I get the option to install OSX or search for a network volume but I don't see a way to look at/access my files. If I (re)install OSX, will I overwrite all my files?

I have also tried to startup as a Firewire disk so I could access and backup my files via a second computer (in case I need to do a clean install). My laptop starts up with the Firewire icon on the screen, but I cannot detect it from the second computer.

Can anyone help? What should I do next? Thanks in advance.

Powerbook G4 12 inch, Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Posted on May 8, 2008 9:01 PM

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Answer 1

BGreg

Level 6

17,552 points

May 9, 2008 4:09 AM in response to JerroldConnors

Welcome to the Apple discussions.

Have you tried to run your Apple hardware test? Find the original OS X disk that says in small print on the label 'AHT Version x.x'. Insert it and reboot, holding the option key down. Choose the Apple hardware test, click the arrow pointing to the right and follow directions. Choose the extended test. Does that identify any issues?

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Answer 2

May 9, 2008 7:43 AM in response to BGreg

Thanks, BGreg. I just ran the Hardware Test, everything passed. Still have the spinning gears, though.

One other thing, I had to trade in the original battery as part of the recall a couple of years ago. The replacement battery never performed well, and degraded so quickly I am only able to get about 5 minutes of life out of it. I have to keep the laptop plugged in constantly for power. Is there a chance this startup issue could be power related?

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Answer 3

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

May 9, 2008 10:08 AM in response to JerroldConnors

Jerrold:

I know you have tried Safe Boot unsuccessfully. However, try it like this:
• Shut down the computer.
• Locate the following keys: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously later.
• Turn on the computer.
• Press and hold the Command + Option + P + R keys immediately after the startup chime.
• Hold keys down until you hear the startup chime for the third time.
• Release the keys and immediately hold down Shift key to start up in Safe Mode.
• Log in and empty Trash.
• Restart normally and log in.

Good luck.

cornelius

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Answer 4

May 9, 2008 1:16 PM in response to cornelius

Thanks, Cornelius. It does the same thing, unfortunately. It chimed three times, I held down Shift, it went to the Apple logo and spinning gear and then just suddenly shut down.

Will starting up with the OSX cd and installing the system again overwrite my entire hard drive? If I could be sure my personal documents, photos etc would be preserved, I'm willing to reinstall the system and my various applications.

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Answer 5

BGreg

Level 6

17,552 points

May 9, 2008 1:55 PM in response to JerroldConnors

It chimed three times

Was it the third, single chime, or did it chime three chimes in a row? If three chimes in a row, that means that no good banks of memory are detected.

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Answer 6

May 9, 2008 2:51 PM in response to BGreg

It did the initial startup chime, then I held down commandoption+PR. From there there was some hard drive whirring, a chime, more whirring, another chime, then more whirring and another chime. So I guess that counts as three single chimes.

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Answer 7

TTeuer

Level 1

40 points

May 9, 2008 8:20 PM in response to JerroldConnors

Symptoms of a bad/failing hard drive at this point. If you have a OS X software disk, boot from it and run the Apple Disk Utility - verify the HD. I would at this point recommend backing up your data if you haven't done so already - just to be on the safe side.

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Answer 8

May 9, 2008 8:24 PM in response to TTeuer

Thanks, TTeuer. I'd love to back up my data, but can you recommend how given my situation? Nothing I've tried has gotten me as far as even seeing my data.

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Answer 9

May 9, 2008 9:09 PM in response to TTeuer

I'm sorry if this is an obvious question, but I'm gun shy about this: if I choose 'repair' from Apple Disk Utility, will my data be protected, or does choosing repair do a clean install?

Thank you again.

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Answer 10

May 9, 2008 9:48 PM in response to JerroldConnors

Nevermind, I ran repair and was told there was an "invalid sibling error" and the disk couldn't be repaired. Would anyone recommend DiskWarrior by Allosoft?

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Answer 11

BGreg

Level 6

17,552 points

May 10, 2008 5:30 AM in response to JerroldConnors

Nevermind, I ran repair and was told there was an "invalid sibling error" and the disk couldn't be repaired. Would anyone recommend DiskWarrior by Allosoft?

Before going to Disk Warrior, which should fix it, you might want to try what's discussed in this thread: http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20070204093925888

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Answer 12

TTeuer

Level 1

40 points

May 10, 2008 4:56 PM in response to JerroldConnors

If you have access to another Mac, put your Powerbook into Target Disk Mode by holding down the "T" key when booting up until you see the Firewire logo (Y shape graphic). You will connect your Powerbook to another Mac connected with a Firewire cable. The other Mac may not be able to mount it on the desktop if the directory is too badly damaged. The best test would be to connect it to another Mac with Leopard installed - it has some better technology built in and will try to temporarily mount a damaged drive in a read-only mode. If either of those options fail (or you don't have access to a Mac with Leopard on it) you can try the link detailed above or you may need to purchase DiskWarrior.

You can also try doing an "Archive and Install" of OS X - this will retain all user data and applications. This may fail however if your drive is indeed bad. If the install is successful, you may be able to boot up into afterwards in which case I would backup your data once you're booted up.

Either case, I think your drive may be failing. It is not normal for all applications to come to a halt and the system not boot up after turning off the computer.

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Answer 13

May 11, 2008 10:26 PM in response to BGreg

Thanks, BGreg. Working in Terminal is a little outside my comfort zone, so I ended up buying DiskWarrior. That allowed me to see and transfer my data to an external hard drive which is great.

And thanks for your help, everybody. DiskWarrior detected 'severe damage' but claimed to have rebuilt the directory successfully but I still have the same startup problem, unfortunately. A report shows that the built in S.M.A.R.T. diagnostic has detected problems that will 'result in failure and data loss.' I think it must be a bad hard drive at this point. My laptop had been running really hot, so I'm not completely surprised something suffered. Thanks again.

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Answer 14

TTeuer

Level 1

40 points

May 13, 2008 7:42 PM in response to JerroldConnors

Yep, your HD is bad.

Replace it.

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