Powerbook G4 Factory Reset

Hi, I have a Powerbook G4 667mHz that I have owned since new. I have basically used is as a DJ machine & a few years ago the screen started going wonky (bottom 2/3 of the screen is flickery and unuseable). I then just went to the S-video out to a cheap old extenal monitor and everything has been fine.

I've decided its now time to sell or give it away. My problem is that i can get it to boot from the OS Install CD, but because of the broken screen, it doesn't boot to the external monitor with the boot options screen. Is there any way to force it to boot onto the external monitor? Or possibly a terminal command to get to the proper screen?

I have also forgotten my password. I have it set to just bypass a password, but if I try resterting from the install disk, it asks for one.

Thanks for any insight.

PowerBook

Posted on Apr 11, 2021 12:01 PM

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Top-ranking reply

K Shaffer

Level 8

35,548 points

Posted on Apr 12, 2021 1:01 AM

Depending on the history of this PowerBook G4 early model, maybe firmware password.

If so, even removal of the hard drive ~ would not be able to turn off the locking effect.

With an external enclosure, or start in FireWire Target Disk, you could erase the hard

disk drive and resolve one issue; prior to disposal ~ gift it to a hobbyist as parts, etc.

From what I can find by looking to MacTracker database app your PowerBook G4 is

PowerBook3,3 -or- PowerBook3,4 as both these show an 667MHz CPU PPC G4 unit.

Use a 'Key Combo' to start old PowerBook in FWTDM & see its HDD as external unit.

Disk utility in host mac can later erase the PBG4 HDD; or if possible, copy + use files.

A FireWire 400 cable or 400/800 cable, (or vintage adapter) could be helpful; plus a

second Mac with FW ports; to copy data off; erase or replace w/ PATA HDD in PB64.

Start the damaged PowerBook and hold T key, a display is helpful to see if large FW

icon moves on its screen; indicate sstartup in FW mode. And connection then made.

• Apple Macintosh Boot Key Combos | jacsoft.co.nz/Tech

www.jacsoft.co.nz/Tech_Notes/Mac_Keys.shtml

• 3 Ways to Boot a Mac from Firewire - wikiHow

https://www.wikihow.com/Boot-a-Mac-from-Firewire

"To use Mac computers as FireWire disks themselves, hold down the "T" key

during system start up. This forces the system into FireWire " target" mode, at

which then can be connected to another Macintosh computer via a FireWire

cable and used as a remote (target) drive disk." ~ wikihow (or)...

• How to Boot a Mac in Target Disk Mode - OS X Daily

Anyway, near midnight here, & my offline projects need attention. (ZZzz!)

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