PowerBook 145B Startup Trouble

Question

Level 1

8 points

PowerBook 145B Startup Trouble

So I have this PowerBook 145B. It will start up with the regular startup sound and a slight click on the speaker, and the drive stays spinning, but the screen stays blank. The pointer is on the screen and can be moved by the trackball, but nothing happens. I tried putting in the 'Disk Tools' disk to troubleshoot at startup, but the computer won't read it.

Any ideas as to what I can do?

All I really want is to get the data I need off the computer. I only know of one place that can help me do this in New York--Tekserve--and that's if the computer is working. I had a BAD experience there and don't want to go back. The computer is so old that the guys at the Mac Store couldn't help me transfer the data when I bought my new iBook.

Any advice on how to fix the startup problem, or advice on where to go for repair/help (I live in New York) would be very appreciated. Thanks a lot.

PowerBook 145B Other OS

Posted on Jul 1, 2006 9:04 PM

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Answer 1

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,235 points

Jul 1, 2006 9:34 PM in response to michaelbenji

To begin with, try to reset the Power Manager and the PRAM.

If necessary, make another attempt with the Disk Tools disk (in the floppy drive when you press the power button). Hold down the four keys Command (Apple) + Option + Shift + Delete (Backspace) during (the initial phase of) the startup sequence.

Please post back with your results. If you so wish, if/when the machine is working again, I could provide you with a couple of PowerBook-to-iBook file transfer ideas.

Jan

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Answer 2

michaelbenji Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 1, 2006 9:56 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

Jan, Thanks. So...

I did everything you suggested...on the final step, using the Disk Tools disk (which the computer read), I was given the option of restoring the computer, but then got a message saying my hard drive wasn't responding.

Starting up without the Disk Tools gets me back where I started--a blank screen.

So...I assume I am out of luck here and my computer....died? crashed? And that I need some professional help. Any other ideas, let me know. And thanks!

PowerBook 145B Other OS

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Answer 3

Denis Eddy

Level 4

3,571 points

Jul 1, 2006 10:08 PM in response to michaelbenji

michaelbenji

What other Macs do you have available? Presumably there is a destination intended for the files. Mac-to-Mac transfer methods there are a-plenty, from as non-sentient a method as Target (or SCSI) Disk Mode upwards. If target disk mode cannot interrogate your PB's hard drive—and this method does not need the PB's hard drive to 'boot' the PB at all, only that it spin up and be read—you may safely conclude that the drive is in poor, poor health, but not before.

Apple IIe; 68K: 11DT + 4PB; PPC: 5DT + 3PB; G3: 6DT System 6.0.8 to OS 10.4.x

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Answer 4

michaelbenji Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 1, 2006 10:10 PM in response to michaelbenji

Hi. Just kept trying and for no apparent reason things worked. I left the Disk Tools disk in and without me hitting command-option-shift-delete the computer read it, and now I'm back to my regular computer screen!

So, yes! Any data transfer method suggestions would be appreciated. I have an external floppy drive for my iBook, so if nothing else, I can just transfer data one disk at a time. Thanks a lot for your help!!!

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Answer 5

michaelbenji Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 1, 2006 10:13 PM in response to Denis Eddy

I think we were writing at the same time. Just wanted to be sure you read my update above.

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Answer 6

michaelbenji Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 1, 2006 10:17 PM in response to Denis Eddy

Oh, and I have an iBook G4.

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Answer 7

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,235 points

Jul 2, 2006 12:03 AM in response to michaelbenji

Very good!

At this point, if the computer will let you start from the internal hard disk (with or without holding down the Shift key), I recommend that you immediately save (copy) at least the most important files to one or more floppies.

It would not be a bad idea to verify the hard-disk structure via Disk First Aid on the Disk Tools floppy (repair if errors are reported).

It is also possible that the hard disk drive driver software needs to be updated. To do so, use the update function in Apple HD SC Setup. Do NOT initialise the hard disk.

Since you have access to an external (USB) floppy drive for the iBook, a transfer via diskettes is probably going to be the easiest way. Files larger than approx. 1.3 MB can be segmented, if necessary.

Jan

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