question mark folder then smiley face on start up

The computer can't find an OS to boot from. This could mean that there is corruption in the current installation or the hard drive may have failed.

Replacing the hard drive in an iBook isn't for the faint of heart. There are many many screws to remove and all of them need to be put back in the same spots as you put the machine back together.

Also, if the seller doesn't have the install discs for the machine, you'll have to call Apple and order replacements.

~Lyssa

If it's getting the smiley face after the question mark then it most likely is booting immediately after. This could indicated that the user may have booted the Mac from an external drive and now it looks for that external drive during boot, but can not find it(folder with question Mark) then right after, it finds the internal drive with OSX and then (smiley face).

Or it could be exactly what Lyssa is saying and the drive is experiencing problems, in which case could be fixed.

There is always the possibility of faulty logic on the board. Purchase only if you understand that it may need more work then anticipated.

rick:

I wouldn't purchase an iBook G4 that starts out with an issue. These computers have been subject to a number of logic board issues since their release. Buying a pig in the poke may be ok if you are sure there's a pig in there. With this machine if the problem is a matter of a failed internal HDD, and you knew that for sure it might be worth it to purchase and replace the HDD. As it is, you have no idea what is going on and whether the computer can be repaired or how much it would cost if it could be repaired.

😉 cornelius

Bad hard drive - replace the hard drive
hard drive not installed properly - open computer and reattach it
the OS wasn't installed properly/no install at all - reformat and reinstall with mac os x install disk
or there is no startup disk selected - hold option when you turn on computer and select disk

sdmacmike:

How can you be so sure that is the only problem with the computer without even seeing it?

😉 cornelius