Continuous reboot loop...

I recently ran the 10.5.5 system update on my iBook G4. However, when my laptop rebooted after the install it got to the gray screen with he spinning wheel, then it sat there for a while then it rebooted itself, now it's doing that in an endless loop. I can't boot into safe mode, or single user mode. However, I am able to boot from the install DVD.

I ran a permissions repair and a disk repair using disk utility, but that didn't stop the eternal reboot loop. So I'm thinking my only remaining option is to reinstall OS X. However my hard drive is too full for the archive and install (I've been meaning to buy an external drive, but I kept holding off because I didn't think it was a priority... now it is).

So here's my question: Can I use Disk Utility to make a copy, or a disk image of my iBook's hard drive onto an external drive, then do an erase and install on my iBook, then go back to the external drive and get the files I need off the disk image (will a disk image allow me to do that)? I'm really only concerned about my documents, photos, music & movies. I don't care if I have to re-install all my programs.

Anyway, I've learned my lesson and will start using Time Machine on the new external drive I'm gonna have to buy.

Thanks in advance for the help.

iBook G4, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Oct 8, 2008 8:08 AM

Nov 22, 2008 11:00 AM in response to david koff

This worked for me too, thank you! I had the exact same problem as described by everyone else in this thread... I automatically downloaded the latest (10.5.5) software update onto my iBook G4 and after it installed and restarted I got grey screen and paddle wheel and nothing else. I linked my laptop using target disk mode through FireWire to my fiance's Mac Mini (also running Leopard), downloaded the Combo update from the support page, installed it onto my laptop's HD and restarted it (I didn't have to repair any permissions). It was slow to boot up, but at least it's working again now!!

Of course, this is not a great solution if you don't have another Mac readily available to you, but maybe if you took it to an Apple store and explained what you wanted done they could (should?) do it for you?