I replaced my hard drive now the computer won't load operating system

Brian:

I replaced my hard drive in my Powerbook G4 1.25

I take that to mean that you removed the old HDD and replaced it with a brand new Parallel ATA/IDE 2.5" HDD. Correct?

and it will not load the operating system

Do you mean that it will not boot from the install disk? or
Do you mean that you booted from the install drive disk, formatted your new HDD and installed the OS and now you cannot boot from the installation?

Here are directions for formatting and for installation:
Formatting, Partitioning Erasing a Hard Disk Drive
• With computer shut down insert install disk in optical drive.
• Hit Power button and immediately after chime hold down the "C" key.
• Select language
• Go to the Utilities menu (Tiger) Installer menu (Panther & earlier) and launch Disk Utility.
• Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
• Select Partition tab in main panel. (You are about to create a single partition volume.)
• Click on Options button
• Select Apple Partition Map (PPC Macs) or GUID Partition Table (Intel Macs)
• Click OK
• Select number of partition in pull-down menu above Volume diagram.
(Note 1: One partition is normally preferable for an internal HDD.)
• Type in name in Name field (usually Macintosh HD)
• Select Volume Format as Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
• Click Partition button at bottom of panel.
• Select Erase tab
• Select the sub-volume (indented) under Manufacturer ID (usually Macintosh HD).
• Check to be sure your Volume Name and Volume Format are correct.
• Click Erase button
• Quit Disk Utility.
Open installer and begin installation process.

Installation Process
• With computer shut down insert install disk in optical drive.
• Hit Power button and immediately after chime hold down the "C" key.
• Select language
• Open Installer and begin installation.
• Select installation option
• Choose to Customize and deselect Foreign Language Translations and Additional Printer drivers.
Optional: Check box to install X11 (Tiger and later) BSD Subsystems (Panther & earlier).
• Proceed with installation.
• After installation computer will restart for setup.
• After setup, reboot computer.
• Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
• Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
• Select First Aid in main panel.
• Click Repair Disk Permissions.
• Connect to Internet.
• Download and install Mac OS X 10.5.5 Combo Update (Leopard) or
Mac OS X 10.4.11 Combo update (PPC) (Tiger) or
10.3.9 Combo Update (Panther)
Computer will restart.
• Repair Disk Permissions as previously.
• Go to Apple Menu > Software Update.
• Install all updates.
Computer may restart after updates.
• Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
• Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
• Select First Aid in main panel.
• Click Repair Disk Permissions.

😉 cornelius

brian:

when I restart the computer and hold C, the computer starts to load goes to the Introduction ask for the language and locks up the computer at that point.

I suspect that means you are trying to boot from the install disk. What version of OS X are your running? What install disk are you using, is it the Full Retail Version of what OS you are trying to install, or it is the original OS install disk that came with the computer like Mac OS X 10.3.3 (7G51) or Mac OS X 10.3.4 (7L46)?

😉 cornelius

Are the install discs clean and in good condition?



Have you formatted the new drive via the disc utility?


Can you use a Firewire Optical drive instead of the internal drive?

Try giving the disc a good wipe over with a tissue. There may be some residue on them from the packaging. Those paper envelopes they come in are disc killers, especially if they are stored flat. They should come with a warning to remove them from the package and put them into hard cases. I know it seems I am harping on a very simple point, but from your description it is the most obvious choice. I have had install discs that looked spotless and would not load, but after a tissue scuff they work just fine. It is unlikely your optical drive is causing the problem although, internal drives can be finicky. Another option is to ask around your friends and see if you can borrow a Firewire optical drive and install the OS from it.

Brian:

Thanks for the info on the install disk. Now, your profile identifies the PowerBook G4 as 1.5. Does that refer to the processor speed or the RAM installed. Can you identify your computer by processor speed, please. I am unable to find a PowerBook G4 with a 1.5 GHz processor speed. I have also been unable to locate a PB G4 that shipped with OS X 10.3.2. I can find 10.3, 10.3.3, 10.3.4. I am pretty sure that the disks you are using are not specific to your computer and are from a different computer, but we need to have all the information to tell for sure.

😉 cornelius

Hi, Brian. The 1.0 GHz and 1.25GHz 15" Powerbook G4 (FW 800) models were released together in September 2003 (not in 2002) as the first 15" Aluminum PBs. There was never any other 1.25GHz model with any size display. Early in their production run those two models were shipped with OSX 10.2.7; later in the run they shipped with 10.3 — perhaps with 10.3.2 at the very end (April 2004), though the various Mac specification databases don't indicate that. If you're confident you're using the disc that originally came with your computer, we have to take your word for it. Your inability to start the computer with it must therefore be due to a faulty or damaged disc, a faulty optical drive, or some deeper hardware problem.

Brian:

If, indeed, those disks shipped with your computer eww's explanation may be on target. In any case the problem you are experiencing is that you have a bad intall disk. Call Apple Customer Service 1-800-767-2775 and explain your situation. Have your computer Serial number handy. They may be able to replace the disk for a small fee.

😉 cornelius

brian:

As I understand it, here are the possible issues at play:
• Defective install disk.
• Defective optical drive.
• Defective HDD
• Defective RAM
• Defective CPU
• Defective logic board

If you had a defective processor or logic board, it it doubtful if you would get very far attempting to boot. The same is true of RAM.

If you have a defective optical drive it would not boot the computer from CD at all.

I realize that you changed the HDD. Until you come to the point of selecting a volume to which to install a defective HDD should not affect the process. The possibility that something might have gone amiss in installing the HDD and thus affecting the process is a possibility. However, I can't think of what that might be.

My reasoning may very well be flawed. However, it seems to be that the issue is with the install disk. I would call Apple or try a Full Retail Version of the OS you wish to install.

😉 cornelius

I have the same PB and I would bet it is a combination of dirty discs and old internal drive. I had exactly the same thing happen when I reinstalled Tiger a few months ago. If you can lay your hands on a Firewire external optical drive and give the disc a scuff with a tissue at least you can eliminate those possibilities if it doesn't work. A faulty logic board is a harsh call without eliminating the easy solutions first. You could contact Apple support and ask them how much they would charge to install the OS for you. I'd guess it would be around $50(USD).

Silly Rabbit:

I agree with you that the issue is most likely the install disk. Buffing the disk is a good idea. However, the computer apparently boots from the disk, but won' go to the installer. My suggestion about the logic board was by way of listing possible causes. I was not suggesting that the logic board is the issue; I am fairly certain that it isn't. I do believe that the disk it defective and having it replaced by Apple or using the Full Retail Version is likely what needs to be done.

😉 cornelius