Floppy Image with Question Mark on Boot

This is normally not a display issue, but an issue with the directory of the hard drive, or the hard drive might be dying. Logicboard issues rarely cause such problems, though could. I would attempt to repair the directory as long as the data is backed up. If it isn't try a data recovery tool such as Prosoft Data Rescue, Subrosasoft Filesalvage, or Boomerang's Boomerang and a Firewire external hard drive at least as large as your Pismo. Once data is backed up, try Alsoft Disk Warrior to repair the hard drive.
If that doesn't work, replace the internal hard drive and recover your data.
If that doesn't work, get a new clock battery from an authorized service center.
And if that doesn't work, ask them to run a hardware diagnostic. It is possible the RAM is bad. They could try different RAM.

IR Doc,

If you have not installed the new PRAM battery, reset the PRAM and test:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379?viewlocale=en_US

If unsuccessful, a new PRAM battery will make no difference. Follow the suggestions in this article:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440?viewlocale=en_US

A directory issue alone could lead to the hard drive being invisible. That does not mean the drive is dead.

Horizontal lines though are not a good sign for the inverter board or the graphics driver of the Mac OS 9 booted CD. If the CD is not a retail installer CD newer than the Mac in question, or has a Mac model name on it, the horizontal lines simply indicate you booted from a CD with the wrong graphics drivers.

Has the clock battery been replaced in the last 4 years?

Does your Mac OS 9 installer disc look like *

- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

Message was edited by: a brody

Dave,

Just to check...have you reset the PRAM?

Did the Pismo work properly the last time used? The squiggly lines on the display may indicate a RAM problem. A first step would be to reseat the RAM modules.

Another possibility is the microprocessor card is not fully seated. One symptom of this condition is the HD goes missing and does not spin up.

Put your ear close to the 'delete' key when you start the Pismo; do you hear the HD spin up?

Since you can boot to the CD, open the Utilities folder on the CD, launch Disk First Aid and see if the HD is listed; if so, run Disk First Aid and see what turns up.

If no success above, quit Disk First Aid, launch Drive Setup and see if the HD appears. If it does, you can try erasing the HD and reinstalling your OS. As you will be warned, all data will be lost.

Is the 'book worth fixing? If you want to use the 'book and just the HD is shot, yes, it is worth fixing since HDs are very inexpensive and you can install it yourself.

Yes. Although, some data recovery facilities can extract data from such drives, consumer level recovery options are very rarely able to get data off such drives directly. About the only company I know might be able to do it is http://www.drivesavers.com/

If the PRAM battery hasn't been replaced in 4 years, it likely needs to be replaced.

Dave,

The internal rechargeable backup battery (PRAM battery) is probably in need of replacing but it requires the almost complete disassembly of the powerbook to do so. I would not bother since it is really not necessary; powerbooks are different than desktops. You can run the powerbook quite nicely with a dead PRAM battery; only if the battery develops an internal short will it cause a problem and you will know because the powerbook will not start...it will appear dead.

Please try this procedure: Boot to the CD > launch Drive Setup > initialize with the option 'checked' to write all zeros. You will find complete instructions by going up to the menu bar and selecting Drive Setup Help. This procedure will reallocate (spare) any bad blocks if possible and may clean up the HD. After "zeroing", immediately run 'Test Disk'. If it fails, zero and test again. A second failure means the HD is shot. If it passes the test, quit Drive Setup, reinstall OS and test.

IR,

Your Wallstreet will not boot from a machine-specific OSX CD although there are a few exceptions. You will need to find a retail, full-install set of Jaguar CDs. An alternative is to remove the HD (very simple) and connect the HD to your Ti via a USB and/or FireWire 2.5" HD enclosure and install from the Ti. A cheaper route is to connect the Wallstreet's bare HD to the Ti via a USB adapter cable.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/USB2PATA/

Please remember the restriction on the Wallstreet's HD when installing OSX:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25249

If possible, install just the System Folder from 9.x on the first partition also. The Wallstreet can be quite cranky with OSX and the 9.x System Folder often will get her up and running when all else fails.