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User profile for user: itsmesunny
itsmesunny Author
User level: Level 1
23 points

getting messages at startup

My ibook is a early (?) 2004. I have upped the memory to the max and also the OS. I have been using for about a year.


In the last week I have gotten 3 messages or windows pop up when I start it up.


1. a folder with a 'finder' icon and a blinking question mark. I powered it down and started it up again while holding the 'control' and 'command' key - I think it was those 2 keys and it started right up.


2. your computer restarted after you quit OS X. I think that is what was written as best I can remember - I did not write it down.


3. a black window with 4 languages and the option to contact apple or something else. when I clicked report it was something about 'kernel'.

It seemed like the little wheel was spinning for a long time on the last one.



I am on another computer and when I left I had started it up and it did ok, then I had to leave so just put the lid down with it plugged in and the light was blinkingon the font as usual.


So, the question is - is my ibook dying?


When I get home I can check for replies. I hope it's not super bad news.



iBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 1.2 GHz PPC G4 and 1.25GB

Posted on Jun 7, 2013 2:33 PM

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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,741 points

Posted on Jun 7, 2013 2:41 PM

It's possible, but there are many possible causes. You have had abnormal shutdowns, kernel panics, and signs of a corrupted operating system. You could have a hardware problem or a software problem.


If you have a backup I would recommend doing an Erase and Install.


To install Leopard using an Erase and Install do the following:


  1. Insert the Leopard DVD into the optical drive and restart the computer.
  2. After the chime press and hold down the "C" key until the spinning gear appears below the dark gray Apple logo.
  3. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button.
  4. After the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
  5. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
  6. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID for an Intel Mac or APM for a PPC Mac then click on the <b>OK</b> button. Set the number of partitions from the dropdown menu to one (1). Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the volume mount on the Desktop.
  7. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
  8. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
  9. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.


Steps 7-9 are optional but should be used on a drive that has never been formatted before, if the format type is not Mac OS Extended, if the partition scheme has been changed, or if a different operating system (not OS X) has been installed on the drive.

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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,741 points

Jun 7, 2013 2:41 PM in response to itsmesunny

It's possible, but there are many possible causes. You have had abnormal shutdowns, kernel panics, and signs of a corrupted operating system. You could have a hardware problem or a software problem.


If you have a backup I would recommend doing an Erase and Install.


To install Leopard using an Erase and Install do the following:


  1. Insert the Leopard DVD into the optical drive and restart the computer.
  2. After the chime press and hold down the "C" key until the spinning gear appears below the dark gray Apple logo.
  3. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button.
  4. After the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
  5. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
  6. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID for an Intel Mac or APM for a PPC Mac then click on the <b>OK</b> button. Set the number of partitions from the dropdown menu to one (1). Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the volume mount on the Desktop.
  7. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
  8. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
  9. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.


Steps 7-9 are optional but should be used on a drive that has never been formatted before, if the format type is not Mac OS Extended, if the partition scheme has been changed, or if a different operating system (not OS X) has been installed on the drive.

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User profile for user: itsmesunny
itsmesunny Author
User level: Level 1
23 points

Jun 7, 2013 4:52 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks Kappy.


When I got home I flipped up the lid and it seemed ok then the cursor froze on the dock so I just let it be and

gradually I could move it to the menu but that was it. So after a while I shut it down. Powered back up and got the blinking question mark on the folder but no icon. I shut it down once more and started up with the control and command key.


And then came here to check for replies.


I have the Leopard OS disc and can do the erase/install.


A couple of days ago I did Onyx and did the whole thing - S.M.A.R.T. status, verified the Start Up Volume, Verified Permissions etc. and everything was OK. So that's good - right?


But I guess I should still do the erase and install by inserting Leopard - right?


(I have edited #2: 'the computer was restarted after MAC OSX quit unexpectedly.' And that comes up after I start up with control and command keys.)


So, I will wait to hear from you.


Thanks!

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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,741 points

Jun 7, 2013 4:58 PM in response to itsmesunny

Do the Erase and Install. At least this way you will know if the problems are software (OS X) or possibly hardware, i.e., defective RAM or other hardware issue.


In my opinion the proper tool for repairing the hard drive and/or permissions is Disk Utility. Since Onyx merely runs Disk Utility for these, there is no need to use Onyx. Disk Utility will also report the drive's SMART status - Verified or Failing.

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User profile for user: itsmesunny
itsmesunny Author
User level: Level 1
23 points

Jun 10, 2013 7:02 AM in response to Kappy

Kappy,


I don't know what's going on but since I did the hardware test this little iBook is running like a champ. It's faster and and nothing appears to be going wrong.


The other day I removed "Ad Blocker" when I found out that it was really slowing it down and the spinning rainbow would not go away sometimes. That made it go faster too.


But since I did the test a few times ( extended and quick ) it's running amazing well - much faster, no spinning rainbow - you have any idea what is going on?


🙂

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getting messages at startup

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