PowerBook will not boot

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PowerBook will not boot

Hi all, I have a serious problem with my powerbook:

The last day or two the whole system has frozen (no cursor movement/no force quit) so I had to do a couple of hard resets (pressing the power button)

This morning a lot of white writing on black backing came up when the system froze and after shutting down using the power button when I try and boot it makes that noise (not the MacOS chime) but nothing displays on the screen.

Obviously this seems to be a serious problem, I am within my one year Apple warranty, is my only problem to take it back? If so what will they do to it?

Any help is much appreciated, Thanks,
Frankie

PowerBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Apr 12, 2006 3:43 AM

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Answer 1

MacMat

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125 points

Apr 12, 2006 3:51 AM in response to Frank_D

Hi!

OK first I would try to boot from the install DVD. Insert it and press C on startup and make a check of your harddisk.

If this turns out to be OK, then I would start Apple Hardware Test.

Do you have additional RAM installed? Because If I remember right, additional RAM can cause such sort of problems, esp. if your lower memory slot failed.

Greets
MacMat

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Answer 2

Frank_D Author

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Apr 12, 2006 5:41 AM in response to MacMat

Hi, thanks for the quick reply.

After leaving the PowerBook alone for an hour it started up properly and is now working fine. However, as I said before, the whole system has frozen a couple of times the last few days and i'm pretty sure it will happen again. I have verified that the hard disk is fine in disk utility, so could it be a software problem (ie reinstall the OS)?

Thanks,
Frankie

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Answer 3

Apr 12, 2006 6:33 AM in response to Frank_D

It could be also a motherboard failure. Run Apple Hardware tests. To do this boot from the MacOSX DVD while pressing ALT key

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Answer 4

Frank_D Author

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Apr 12, 2006 7:50 AM in response to Phil Vander

Ok i have done the extended hardware test and it passed all the components including memory. However it also says "Apple hardware test has detected an error at startup." The error code given is:

post/0/2048 SODIMM0/J25LOWER.

I assume this relates to memory however it was passed on the extended test.

Any answers to what the error code is? Thanks,
Frankie

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Answer 5

Frank_D Author

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Apr 12, 2006 8:16 AM in response to Phil Vander

I found this thread:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1850947&#1850947

Which explains that it could be the slot as the lower slot has the RAM that is already provided by Apple and not the extra 1GB that I have added. I will swap them over to check that it is the slot and not the RAM. If it is the slot I think the logic board will need changing.

Does this new info sound right to everyone?

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Answer 6

Tuttle

Level 7

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Apr 12, 2006 8:28 AM in response to Frank_D

Yes, your diagnosis appears to be correct, and the lower RAM slot has failed. This will entail replacing the logic board. If you are lucky and your s.n. falls within a certain series, even if you are out of the limited warranty period, Apple will do this work for you at no charge. See this Kbase article for more:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303173

Good luck!

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Answer 7

Frank_D Author

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Apr 12, 2006 9:37 AM in response to Tuttle

Well i switched the two RAM modules around and now they both work so one may have been loose. I'll keep an eye out if the problem reoccurs as it seems strange that the Apple installed RAM would be loose.

Thanks,
Frankie

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Answer 8

Tuttle

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29,541 points

Apr 12, 2006 9:40 AM in response to Frank_D

Better a loose module than a broken solder.

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Answer 9

MacMat

Level 1

125 points

Apr 12, 2006 10:07 AM in response to Frank_D

Hi!

I do not want to depress you, but as far as I know it is common, that after switiching the memory modules both slots will be working for a while.

I hope for you, that you have no broken lower slot, but as soon as the system freezes return be prepaired to check the system profiler. It shows the memory slots and there you can deduce if the lower slot is probably broken (if is missing again).

Greets and best wishes

MacMat

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Answer 10

Frank_D Author

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Apr 12, 2006 11:44 AM in response to MacMat

It's a difficult situation as i return to Uni in 2 weeks where there are no nearby Applestores, whereas at home now I am relatively close to the Regent Sreet store in London which could repair it. Would they be willing to repair it while it is in its currently working state with only my word about the problem?

Thanks,
Frankie

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Answer 11

Apr 12, 2006 11:51 AM in response to Frank_D

Let me tell you that my son's wouldn't boot and we returned to Apple, there was no damage when we took it to the store and when it was sent to Apple it now has water damage and they will not repair it and want $1000 to do so. I would be VERY leary of sending it to Apple.

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Answer 12

Frank_D Author

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Apr 12, 2006 12:39 PM in response to ccenfetelli

If not sending it to Apple what are my options?

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Answer 13

Red Dwarf

Level 6

14,920 points

Apr 12, 2006 12:53 PM in response to Frank_D

Hi Frank,

The Apple Store in Regent Street is not your only option albeit a good one. There are a few Apple Authorised Service Providers (AASP) quite nearby who are more than capable of carrying out any repairs under warranty. You have many options.

With regards to the earlier comment about not trusting Apple let me assure you that this is not the case. As a user, on the whole I have had excellent service both from the Apple Store in Regent Street and from Apple UK.

I personally prefer to mostly deal with AASPs but that's just me.

RD

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Answer 14

Frank_D Author

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Apr 12, 2006 1:11 PM in response to Red Dwarf

Thanks for the quick reply, since my last post the problem has reoccured. Are there any specific reasons why you prefer an AASP, and is there a website which shows the nearest ones?

Frankie

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Answer 15

Red Dwarf

Level 6

14,920 points

Apr 12, 2006 1:25 PM in response to Frank_D

Hi again Frank,

The only reason I deal with AASPs is the personal touch. I deal with 2 AASPs that are close to me. I know everyone within both companies, get them Christmas cards every year, birthday cards where appropriate and have even been out with a few - golf, night out in town, etc etc. In return whenever I have an issue that requires their assistance I know I will be taken care off.

You can find out who your nearest AASPs are from Appe UK's website:

http://www.apple.com/uk/buy/locator/

Simply select what you want from the drop down menus, enter a location and... et voila... TaDaaaaa 😉

RD

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