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ibook G4 OS 10.4.11 wont boot up.

I was deleting a second user account and whilst it was copying that user's files before deleting the power was switched off. Starting now gives the flashing question mark icon after the start up chime. It wont boot up from the instal disc either (holding c while powering up). I also tried command-option-p-r at power up with no effect, and option key with the install disc to use the hardware test. This last gave me an arrow cursor but nothing else. The user guide suggests that the only option is to reinstall the operating system but to do this it needs to read the install disc which it can't. Help.

iBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Nov 24, 2011 10:31 AM

Best reply

Ronda Wilson

Level 8

42,656 points

Posted on Nov 24, 2011 5:16 PM

Hi, and welcome to Apple Support Communities.

Is the Mac OS X 10.4 disc the install disc that originally came with the computer?

If not, is it a Mac OS X full retail install disc?

If it won't read the disc, it could be a problem with either the software disc or the optical drive.

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23 replies

Dec 22, 2011 4:06 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

The only numbers on the box are WD1600BUCT. I can take it out and read numbers off the drive itself if that helps. It is a Wewstern Digital 160GB SATA drive - looks exactly like the Seagate one I have taken out.

Adam

Dec 22, 2011 7:44 AM in response to adamfromdorset

Well, that model seems to be a specialized drive for AV applications (such as a digital video recorder or security camera setup). I can't find anything that specifically says that it won't work with a MacBook, but I can't find anything that says it will work with a MacBook, either.

Compare it to another Western Digital Drive (the Scorpio) which I'm sure will work.

The one you have:

http://www.span.com/product_info.php?products_id=34366

The one that works for sure:

http://www.span.com/product_info.php?cPath=23_512_627&products_id=32410

I've been scouring Google for over an hour for information, and this is the best I could do.

I've also asked wiser heads than mine to check out this discussion to see if maybe they can see something I may have overlooked.

etresoft

Level 8

46,530 points

Dec 22, 2011 11:19 AM in response to adamfromdorset

You haven't provided many details about the new drive. You will need to boot from the install DVD, and choose "Tools" (I think) from the installer menu. Run Disk Utility to partition the drive. Click the options button to make sure it is GUID. Then create a single HFS+ Journaled partition. After that, the installer should recognize it.

Dec 22, 2011 3:37 PM in response to etresoft

Thanks to Rhonda and etresoft for responding here.

When I boot up from the install disc the new hard drive doesn't show up in the list in Disc Utility, so I can't select it in order to partition it.

I have also run the Apple Hardware test from the install disc and it showed "no problems".

Message was edited by: adamfromdorset

etresoft

Level 8

46,530 points

Dec 22, 2011 4:39 PM in response to adamfromdorset

It may be a dead drive. Take it back to where you bought it.

Jan 1, 2012 1:06 AM in response to etresoft

***** Happy New Year to all. *****

I have now a simple external case to run hard drives on a USB 2 connection. I also have now a SATA Western Digital Scorpio Blue hard drive - WD3200BEVT as recommended above as being properly compatible. (Larger at 320GB only because it happened to be easily available - is size of drive an issue?)

Results, using disc utility, of various combinations as follows:

The original hard drive is not recognised in the external caddy.

The Western Digital WD1600BUVT is not recognised as an internal drive but is recognised in the external caddy. I was thus able to partition it as GUID as recommended but this still did not enable it to be recognised when installed internally.

The new Western Digital Scorpio Blue hard drive - WD3200BEVT was not recognised when connected either internally or externally so I could not try anything with it.

However, here's a puzzle: using a borrowed slightly newer intel macbook (macbook 5.2 serial no.149260224R1 running on OSX 10.5.6) I have partitioned this disk using the USB external caddy, although this has still not enabled my computer to recognise it.

(The borrowed computer also does not recognise my original hard drive in the external caddy)

I am still able to use my computer, apparently normally, without an internal hard drive and running from an old IDE drive (40GB Toshiba MK4025GAS) in an external USB 2 caddy with OSX 10.4.11 installed on it.

So it looks as though I have two problems - the original hard drive is damaged; and the ability of the inbuilt hardware and/or software to recognise anything in the internal drive slot is damaged.

Where to now?

Jan 1, 2012 1:10 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

***** Happy New Year to all. *****

Results, using disc utility, of various combinations as follows:

The original hard drive is not recognised in the external caddy.

The new Western Digital Scorpio Blue hard drive - WD3200BEVT was not recognised when connected either internally or externally so I could not try anything with it.

(The borrowed computer also does not recognise my original hard drive in the external caddy)

So it looks as though I have two problems - the original hard drive is damaged; and the ability of the inbuilt hardware and/or software to recognise anything in the internal drive slot is damaged.

Where to now?

A point of advice on the forum etiquette please: since I began this thread with an erroneous title is it acceptable to repost as a reference to this discussion with a sensible title to attract the attention of appropriate experts or is that inappropriate or unnecessary any way?

Jan 1, 2012 1:35 PM in response to adamfromdorset

The size of the drive is not an issue.

I would recommend reposting in the MacBook Discussions area:

https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook?categoryID=218

ibook G4 OS 10.4.11 wont boot up.