Software issues?

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Level 1

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Software issues?

I switched on my iBook generation 3 a few days ago: the startup noise came on as usual then unexpectedly a small folder on a purple background came onto the screen. The folder has a question mark switching to the apple iBook search face every second this is repeating constantly.

There is no control panel or any other image on the screen and the mouse does not appear when the touch pad is tapped.

I tried to download some old apple software onto it the day before the incident so I am guessing that this has something to do with the problem

Please help a student who needs his laptop to work!!

Thanks

iBook, Mac OS X (10.1.x), Downloaded Mac OS X 9.6 (cause)

Posted on Jul 23, 2013 4:37 AM

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Answer 1

J4NDY Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 23, 2013 4:50 AM in response to J4NDY

I tried a friends advice and have held down the "T" key when I started up and it no longer has the small folder instead it has an unusual symbol

The symbol consists of:

A circle in the centre of the Symbol

Coming out of the circle are 3 sections

1 coming out upper left

1coming out upper right

1 coming out at the at the bottom

The bottom and upper left exits consist of two parallel lines about a centimetre long that looks like this:

=

The upper right exit is just one block covering the same area as the two lines do inn the other exits

This symbol is jumping around the screen at one jump a second

What does it mean?

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Answer 2

dalstott

Level 4

2,639 points

Jul 23, 2013 9:18 AM in response to J4NDY

You can try safe mode by holding shift during startup. If it will start this way a file check will be done automatically. Otherwise you need to try to start from an installation cd or dvd and run Disk Utility - verify /repair disk.

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Answer 3

J4NDY Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 23, 2013 12:45 PM in response to dalstott

Thank you for your help but I'm afraid it didn't work this time.

Unfortunately when I purchased the laptop it had no installation cd or any more of the above you mentioned

Do you know anywhere to purchase such items?

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Answer 4

Jul 24, 2013 6:00 AM in response to J4NDY

Hello,

Has there been any Operating System running on this iBook?

Was the iBook like this when you got it?

To would need a copy of the restore disk not only to upload the OS, but to diagnose an fault you may have with the Hard Disk.

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Answer 5

dalstott

Level 4

2,639 points

Jul 24, 2013 8:10 AM in response to J4NDY

You should consider upgrading your software from 10.1 to either 10.3 or 10.4 depending on which iBook you have. Buy a retail disk not one that came with a MAC unless it is identical to yours.

The original clamshell can be upgraded to 10.3.9 maximum while the Firewire clamshell and later G3 iBooks can go to 10.4.11. You do not have a G4 iBook as it needs Mac OS X 10.3.x minimum.

http://www.buycheapr.com/us/result.jsp?q=tiger+10.4+os+x&qs=ti&ts=go

http://www.buycheapr.com/us/result.jsp?q=panther+10.3+os+x&qs=ti&ts=go

http://www.welovemacs.com/apsyso.html

http://oldermac.hardsdisk.net/oldmac.html#hard

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Answer 6

J4NDY Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 24, 2013 2:50 PM in response to Knucklesmac

The only operating system on the iBook was the one it came with and the iBook worked perfectly fine when I purchased it 6/7 months ago

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Answer 7

dalstott

Level 4

2,639 points

Jul 24, 2013 5:01 PM in response to J4NDY

Your info states: Downloaded Mac OS X 9.6 (cause). Did you try to install Mac OS 9.x and then started having trouble. Please elaborate.

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Answer 8

J4NDY Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 25, 2013 2:37 AM in response to dalstott

I had Mac OS 10.1 x on my iBook to start off with but iTunes wouldn't work on it so I phoned up the apple helpline and they said that if I downloaded the older software then updated it iTunes would update with it and my laptop would be fine.

So I attempted to download the older software Mac OS 9.x/6 and this worked fine I logged on and my laptop was a bit simple but it still worked.

As I went to download Mac OS 10.1 x again my computer switched off and left me with the two symbols I described earlier on my screen at different points.

I had not tried to download any other software or information.

I hope this is sufficient information If not i will collect more for you

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Answer 9

dalstott

Level 4

2,639 points

Jul 25, 2013 9:51 AM in response to J4NDY

You need to get a Mac OS X installation disk in order to reinstall a working system so as to have any chance of reliably running currently available media programs. The latest that will work will be a 10.3 or 10.4 version which are upgradeable to 10.3.9 and 10.4.11 depending on which iBook you have. Here are some links to reasonable deals on some Mac OS X 10.3 and 10.4 offers. The retail disks are Black with a large X and the model specific are gray which you do not want.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0000E6NK9/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condit ion=used

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0002G71T0/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condit ion=used

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2043520.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.XMac+os+x+10 .3+panther&_nkw=Mac+os+x+10.3+panther&_sacat=58058&_from=R40

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2053587.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.Xmac+os+x+10 .4+tiger&_nkw=mac+os+x+10.4+tiger&_sacat=0&_from=R40

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Answer 10

J4NDY Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 25, 2013 10:23 AM in response to dalstott

Thank you very much dalstott for your last message it solved my question but unfortunately I tapped the wrong one and it says that one of your previous posts solved my question

Thank you very much again

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