G4 Hardware test error Mass Storage -9972
My Powerbook G4 15" aluminum 1.67Ghz 10.3.9 Panther won't start up.
(I did a backup on an external drive not long before it failed)
have gotten lost in my research on apple forums and knowledge base.
From the original install discs:
The Hardware test gives the error.
"2STF/8/3 ATA-100 ata-6-Master (-9972)"
The Disc utility does see my harddrive but fails to repair with the messge:
1 volume cannot be repaired,
'Invalid node Structure'
Disk 'no valid packets (-9997)'
I do have a useless partition from TechTool 4 and had successfully run the programs just before Powerbook failed.
aid everything was ok, with no warnings.
found somewhere a link to a hardware test code list, that said 9972 could be the cable (ribbon?) to the drive needed to be reset, replaced, or the harddrive replaced.
our local New Orleans 'official' Apple Tech guy calimed it was the harddrive and not worth replacing. he whined that it would take hours, tho the guys on ifixit claimed only half an hour.
i have since got a refurb MacBook (even older it turns out) with Tiger, but I miss my 15 incher Powerbook. (on very tight budget)
the battery got zapped by lightning last year and have struggled with it ever since. it won't fully recharge.
Right now have got it on the AC without the battery to try to charge the backup battery.
I have managed to restore it several times after crashing, inspite of my tech guy claiming otherwise. but have never really opened it up besides just looking at the memory slots. just one filled with 512 card.
so any advice, or suggestions.