G4 PowerBook 15" 1ghz won't start

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G4 PowerBook 15" 1ghz won't start

Long time Mac user, but new to OSX. I recently bought a used G4 PowerBook 15" 1ghz that didn't come with the original disks and worked fine in OSX. It was supposed to be a clean install but wasn't. When I followed instructions to bless the OS 9 system to start in classic and tried to restart I get the ? and OS9 face alternating and that's it. I have tried start using the option, cmndX, zapped the pram and various other things to get my Mac to start. Help! It seems as though it's trying to start in OS 9 but just hangs and and won't start in OS X. Again I don't have a bootable disk to start from. What should I do? Thanks in advance for any help.

PowerBook G4 15" 1ghz, Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Posted on Jul 27, 2006 1:06 PM

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Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Jul 27, 2006 1:08 PM in response to cytafex

Try restarting and holding down the "x" key (with no other keys). If memory serves, that should force the system to start in Mac OS X, presuming that the installation of Mac OS X is still in good shape.

You're going to want to get a set of disks ASAP. You're certainly need a copy of Mac OS X, and having the original set of install disks which had the installer for Mac OS 9 will undoubtedly be worth having. If you call Apple tech support, you can probably order a set of the original disks for a reasonable charge. You'll probably also need a retail copy of Mac OS X 10.4 if you don't have one already.

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Answer 2

cytafex Author

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Jul 27, 2006 1:17 PM in response to varjak paw

Thanks for the info. I did try starting with the x key to no avail, and I'll try getting the original diks through Apple...I didn't think of that, just buying retail disks...thanks again

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Answer 3

cytafex Author

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Jul 28, 2006 5:11 AM in response to cytafex

Dave, Thanks again for your suggestions. I have OSX 10.4 on the way and going to contact Apple today about aquiring a copy of the orginal disks for my computer. Now is there a way in the mean time to try and get my computer to work w/o the disks? I believe my trouble is from trying to start up from OS 9.1 and it is not able to. As I need my computer for my work getting going sooner than later would be a good thing. Thanks again for any imput.

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Answer 4

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Jul 28, 2006 7:37 AM in response to cytafex

At this point, since it won't boot from either Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X, unless you have an external Firewire hard drive with the appropriate OS installed, I see no way to get your PB working without having an installation disk for either 9 or X. Sorry, but unless someone else can think of a trick I'm not coming up with, you're probably stuck until you can get your hands on a set of install disks, either for Mac OS X or the original system CDs.

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Answer 5

cytafex Author

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Jul 28, 2006 2:15 PM in response to varjak paw

Hey Dave,
Thanks for helping me out. I appreciate your effort. If your interested go to www.cytafex.com and if you see somethere you like, let me know and I'll send you a print.
Best wishes Larry

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Answer 6

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Jul 28, 2006 2:28 PM in response to cytafex

Thanks, Larry, that's very kind of you. But I'm happy to just help out, though I'm don't think it was able to help all that much.

Very nice photo work, though. I'm doubly happy to try and help a fellow nature photographer, though I'm by no means in your class.

Cheers.

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Answer 7

cytafex Author

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Jul 28, 2006 8:17 PM in response to varjak paw

Hey Dave,
Actually you were very helpful, as you brought up things I should have done like copying the PowerBook system to another drive and backing it up, and that I need disks for it to. I guess I tried to be a little too cheap and it cost me. Education isn't cheap and sometimes it can become more expensive than it needs to be! Thanks for your kind words. Hopefully I have OS disks soon and be back in the saddle again!
Take care Larry

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