My iBook wont boot up and sits on a blue screen

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Steevo1996 Author

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My iBook wont boot up and sits on a blue screen

I recently bought an iBook G3 on eBay. It's in good condition and starts up when the button is pressed. The chime is heard and then a grey screen appears with a smiling face on a mac screen. It then has a screen showing the operating system "MAC OSX" After this however it sits on a blank blue screen and goes between the loading icon and a plain mouse icon. It seems to be loading but has been doing this for hours now. I have tried restarting the iBook several time but the same thing happens.

What is the problem and what should I do to solve it? thanks.

iBook

Posted on Apr 25, 2012 8:02 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 25, 2012 4:50 PM in response to Steevo1996

Do you know which version of the OS is installed?

Did any OS discs come with your purchase?

Are you able to start up in Safe Mode?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455?viewlocale=en_US

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Answer 2

Steevo1996 Author

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Apr 26, 2012 2:52 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

I don't know which version of the operating system is installed. Apparently it hadn't been used for a long time before I got it so I would guess an older version. There are no disks and it won't start up in safe mode.

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Answer 3

Apr 26, 2012 4:06 PM in response to Steevo1996

Which exact iBook model is it?

You can choose from this list:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ibook/index-ibook.html

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Answer 4

Steevo1996 Author

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Apr 26, 2012 4:19 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

Apple iBook G3/500 (Dual USB-tr)

I'm pretty sure that it's this one.

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Answer 5

Apr 27, 2012 2:58 AM in response to Steevo1996

Which type of optical drive does it have (if you know)?

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ibook/specs/ibook_500.html

You're going to need the OS discs that originally came with it and/or the OS disc(s) for the version of the OS which is currently installed.

Do you know how much RAM is installed?

It takes at least Mac OS X 10.2 to be able to start up in Safe Mode.

What happens if you hold down the x key during startup?

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Answer 6

Steevo1996 Author

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Apr 27, 2012 3:44 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

I don't know any of those answers. It came just as the iBook. Nothing different happenes when I hold the x key during startup.

I would have to work out which operating system it's running and buy the specific disks for it?

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Answer 7

Apr 27, 2012 3:06 PM in response to Steevo1996

If you're sure that's the exact model, you could buy the original discs that came with it (if you can find them).

This is what you're looking for:

http://www.ifixit.com/iBook-Parts/iBook-G3-12-Inch-Restore-CDs-500-600/IF150-029

But they are out of stock at iFixit.

If I were you, I'd try to get my money back and return it. Most sellers have a guarantee that a computer will start up. This one doesn't.

The iBook is 11 years old, and anything you try to do with it is not going to be very satisfactory.

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Answer 8

Steevo1996 Author

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Apr 27, 2012 4:00 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

I have properly identified the iBook by lifting the keyboard. It is the version that you linked. If I did manage to purchase the disks, how would I get the drive open to run them?

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Answer 9

Apr 27, 2012 4:44 PM in response to Steevo1996

The F12 key works as an eject key which opens the drive tray.

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