Of the iBook G3/ G4 models, the G3 could be a source of minor confusion due
to the change from colors model to white G3 model in May 2001. This first white
model has dual USB ports and other improvements over the older early G3...
Early colors aka 'clamshell' iBook G3 appeared in 1999; first ran MacOS8.6.
First 'snow' dual USB white G3 iBook 12-inch/14-inch appeared in May 2001,
it shipped with either (just) MacOS9.1, or later included OS X 10.0.3 (4P13.)
'iBook G4' arrived by Oct 2003 & was replaced by newer model by April 2004.
• If you have an iBook G3 dual USB (white) the guide to replace a hard disk drive:
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iBook+G3+12-Inch+Hard+Drive+Replacement/131
I've owned the First white iBook 12-inch 500MHz G3, 64MB RAM/10GB HD (05/01)
& still have my Last white iBook 12-inch 1.33GHz G4 1.5GB RAM/40GB HD (05/05)
If you can find the product serial number, use of a 'Serial Number Lookup' site
to determine a better determination of the exact build year series, is advised.
The serial number may be under keyboard or in battery compartment.
https://www.powerbookmedic.com/identify-mac-serial.php
You may find the model in the everymac.com 'all ibook specification' database:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ibook/index-ibook.html
If you could find the media software disc he used to attempt an upgrade in the
old iBook (G3?) that may be helpful for reference; if the disc was from a different
model build series Mac computer, or from a newer Intel-based Mac, it won't work.
And with these older portable computers, their rotational hard drives are long past
their prime. To locate a replacement and know how to swap them without damage
to other components, wires, and follow the process correctly, it a difficult chore.
Maybe online guides can help with DIY repair https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iBook
Three guides for G3 iBook: https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iBook_G3
Four guides for G4 iBook: https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iBook_G4
The hard drive would be a candidate for replacement. If you are set up to diagnose
troubleshoot and repair these older powerPC G3/G4 portables, it's not impossible.
Locating replacement parts, such as the ATA/IDE hard drive, may be harder now.
Also, cables may need replacement after attempting to open the computer.
{Models that could run Leopard 10.5(.8) would need to have a PPC cpu of more than
867MHz. Even so, the last G3 iBook with 900MHz may not run it. My 12-in iBook G4
with 1.33GHz CPU and 1.5GB RAM doesn't like Leopard 10.5.8. Tiger is best, there.}
https://www.apple.com/usergroups/
There may be an Apple User Group in your vicinity with some vintage product users
who may have ideas. Most 'apple authorized service providers' may balk if asked...
Also, the logic board may have a failed component. Try the HDD first, because the
in-out ATA controller device that appears to have failed may just be in the HDD.
But it may also be a shared component that allows optical drive to work, or not.
In any event...
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂