I got a gray screen after start up, only access to open firmware possible

My Powerbook G4 does not startup it takes some minutes with normal sound, but it ends in a gray screen.

I tried to boot from DVD but it doesn't work, I delete PRAM and NRAM, but it doesn't help.

I tried to start in verbose mode, safe boot mode etc. nothing help.

The only start function that works was the starting with Open Firmware entry.


What should I do?


Thanks


smilemiwa

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 2 GB

Posted on Jan 25, 2012 1:40 PM

Reply
3 replies

Feb 3, 2012 3:26 PM in response to Texas Mac Man

With reference to Tom's suggestion, you might check out this Apple KB article:


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


As you say you can get to open firmware, you should at least be getting a chime, which is a good start.


One thought is that sometimes a failed or run-down PRAM/clock backup battery could cause some mischief like this, so you might try leaving the machine on a power adapter overnight with the main battery removed to see if it can get enough charge to work properly.


Also, have you tried to get the boot manager to come up by powering while holding down the option key? Just a diagnostic point, I guess. If you have a bootable install disk in the optical drive, it should show up in the boot manager.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

I got a gray screen after start up, only access to open firmware possible

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.