My G4 Apple PowerBook will not boot further than pale blue/grey screen displaying "flashing file symbol / flashing ?"

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Level 1

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My G4 Apple PowerBook will not boot further than pale blue/grey screen displaying "flashing file symbol / flashing ?"

Last previous action: Used Firewire cable and "Target Mode" to copy files from G4 eMac to the PowerBook.

I worked from the eMac to the PowerBook, making the PowerBook the "Target". Files seemed to transfer OK. Won't boot from InstallDisc. Holding down T on startup results in Target mode screen. I have a G4 iMac and a G4 eMac. Can I use either of these with Firewire cable to boot-up my PowerBook ?

I'm new to using this Communities & Forums Help. Can someone please help me to get going again ! ! Thanks for your time. Graflood

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11), With Classic Mode

Posted on Sep 13, 2012 8:35 AM

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Answer 1

dalstott

Level 4

2,639 points

Sep 13, 2012 10:46 AM in response to Graflood

Try these reset procedures.

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

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

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Answer 2

Sep 13, 2012 2:59 PM in response to Graflood

Hello,

It sounds to me like the PowerBook is stuck in target disk mode.

It's expecting the iMac/eMac to be there when booting. Seeming it's not attached, it will show a flashing folder.

If your PowerBook internal drive is bootable, then simply hold down the option key when booting and select it's internal hard drive. That should boot your PowerBook into Mac OS X.

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