Q: Ibook will not start up

First, try resetting both PRAM and PMU:

Reset PRAM:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

Reset PMU:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431

If that does not work then boot the Mac with the OSX install DVD and run some disk utilities:

1. While mac is running, insert the OSX install DVD into the drive, then power-off the Mac.

2. Power-on the Mac and immediately press and hold the "c-key" until you get to the "Select Language" screen, select your language and continue.

3. The next screen will be the Welcome screen, from the tool bar at the top select Utilities then Disk Utilities.

4. Once you are Disk Utilities select your drive from the left pane, then select First Aid from the right pane.

5. From First Aid select to run "Repair Disk", if Repair Disk returns with errors, run it again until it returns "No Errors Found". Then run "Repair Permissions".

While you are in DU First Aid look at the bottom at note the drives S.M.A.R.T. status it should read "Verified".

If this does not help then post back!

Sorry to hear that it did not work...

Here are my thoughts on your problem!

It Sounds to me that when you went on your deleting safari you may have deleted some core files by mistake. This is not easy thing to do but it's very possible. In the future I recommend using the applications such as Safari, Firefox to clean up your Internet cache. And for other cache files you can use apps like AppleJack or Onyx to safely clean your Mac of other cache files that need to be routinely cleared out.

Now back to the issue at hand...

If you've tried to reinstall the OSX but don't have the #2 disk... Well that does appose a slight problem and you need to track one down.

In the mean time try this...

Boot the Mac again by the install DVD and go through the install. During the install you'll come to a screen (unfortunately I cannot remember the exact one but can find out later this evening if you need me to, it may be the drive selection screen ) that will have an options button (i believe it's options) when you select this it gives you an the ability to deselect items you do not wish to install, such as print drivers, xcode, etc. I'd deselect everything that I could and then proceed with the install. Hopefully this will keep the install from requesting the #2 disk.

Now keep in mind this is strictly so that you can get the Mac up and running in to OSX so that you can verify that the Mac still functions ok, troubleshooting! Once you get it up and running on the OS and it's ok, then you'll most likely want to find the #2 disk and perform a full install.

Hi cazerra and iyacyas hope you don't mind me jumping in here,

restarted it did the same no entry sign.

Here's an Apple Doc about this problem:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1892?viewlocale=en_US

The only thing I can think of that i've done to it recently was clear 7g of internet caches that seemed to have stored themselves in my files. I didn't think they were needed so I trashed them all.

From that doc:
"Certain Mac OS X system items or folders are invisible when started up from Mac OS X, such as "mach_kernel". But they're visible when started up from Mac OS 9 or when using software that can view or delete invisible files. Do not delete, move, or rename visible or invisible Mac OS X system files or folders. Doing so may prevent Mac OS X from starting up or working properly."
I do remember when starting up OS 9 all the inits and prefs files would march across the bottom of the screen and if it hit one that had a problem an X would be on it so you'd know that that one was the problem.
So that bit about the "invisible files" I think is the key. You can toss those and not even know you did that.

I now can't get the install cd out of the cd drive.

This is from:
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20031210193237190
"Hold Control-Command-Option-Eject Button; this will shut down your computer. Turn the power on with the power button and hold Command-Option-O-F -- this will boot you into open firmware. Now type eject cd and wait until the CD pops out. Type mac-boot and you are ready to rock! "
Works well.

Was this an original 4 disk set?
From iyacyas:

.....you an the ability to deselect items you do not wish to install, such as print drivers, xcode, etc.

Yes that's the second screen that comes up. The first is "options" that allows you to archive or erase. The second one is "customize" and allows you to opt out of the language translations, 1.2?GB of print drivers, X11 et all.
I often opt out of all that but I think it will still ask for disk 2.
You might just try doing an archive and install using only disk 1 and crash it when it asks for disk 2 and trying to reboot it from there.
You should still be able to retrieve data using Target mode:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
Richard

Message was edited by: spudnuty