How can I erase my hard drive if the Installer can't find it?

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How can I erase my hard drive if the Installer can't find it?

Our iBook, 10.3.9, was pretty reliable for 5 years, but it started to work slower the past days (maybe thru too little free space or too many programs open at the same time), so we restarted a lot.. until it didn't restart but came up with the question mark; then with a black screen/white letters asking for a login. But what is my login? I only know my admin password.

I ran DiskUtility and repaired the permissions and wanted to repair the disk as well, but it said (in red letters): unable, could not unmount disk.

I tried Archive and Install, but it stopped halfway and said there was an error, try again later. I didn't try again, but managed to save most of my documents to another iBook (10.4.3) thru FireWire Target mode.

Then I was ready for Erase & Install.
When I first got this iBook, I had a big accident and had to erase and install, at which time an Apple tech person advised me to first install 10.1 and then 10.2 ('cause this iBook was first made with 10.1, it had 10.2 when I bought it). So this morning I put my 10.1 install CD in and selected Disk Utility to Erase the hard drive. This was recommended in another thread to erase all faulty blocks on a computer. I must say the hard drive itself (below the '27 GB OSX' thing with the triangle in front of it) was already greyed out, but I selected this triangle thing and said erase.

Then I went back into the Installer but... it can't find any hard drive to install OSX on. It shows just one blank space...

The strangest thing is that one time this morning when I opened the iBook, it started up just like normal! But it worked too slow, it wasn't fine, so I restarted and then the problems came back just the same. Now I'm back atthe black screen with white letters. It makes me think though that not all is lost with this computer, which my family hopes with me.

What can I do???

ibook Mac OS X (10.3.7)

ibook, Mac OS X (10.3.7)

Posted on Apr 21, 2007 6:55 AM

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Answer 1

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Apr 21, 2007 7:58 AM in response to Mora miko

Mora:

Your description of your situation is a bit unclear to me, so I hope you don't mind a few questions:
Your profile lists OS X 10.3.7. Do you have a Full Retail Version of Panther available for re-install?
What OS version(s) do you have a full retail version for?
Do you have an OS currently installed on your computer?

You said at one point:
I must say the hard drive itself (below the '27 GB OSX' thing with the triangle in front of it) was already greyed out, but I selected this triangle thing and said erase.
Then I went back into the Installer but... it can't find any hard drive to install OSX on. It shows just one blank space...

Yet you said afterwards,
The strangest thing is that one time this morning when I opened the iBook, it started up just like normal!

If you can clarify the above, and state exactly what your current situation is, I might be able to give some directions on how to proceed.

Good luck.

cornelius

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Answer 2

Mora miko Author

Level 1

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Apr 21, 2007 9:21 AM in response to cornelius

Cornelius,
ask as many questions as necessary! I know it is a confusing situation.

Your profile lists OS X 10.3.7.

I believe I upgraded last year to 10.3.9.

Do you have a Full Retail Version of Panther available for re-install?

Yes.

What OS version(s) do you have a full retail version for?

For 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3.2.

Do you have an OS currently installed on your computer?

I don't know...

This morning I had set my mind to do the Erase & Install. I inserted the 10.1 disk, opened DUtility and selected "Erase" from the tablist. At that point the hard drive under the top-triangle was already grey I believe. I selected the top line, or the grey line, am not sure which was last. The computer started to spin. I can't tell if it erased anything at that point. But I know that once the computer stopped spinning its operationwheel, I quit DU and went on trying to install, but then there was no installation disc available. There was just a blanc field.

There was nothing else to do but restart, and at that point the computer opened up with a desktop like normal. I know it sounds crazy.
But it didn't work well. I could open a jpg-file in "Preview", but went in "Mail" and it took forever to open a message, at which point I restarted.

And since then, the normal desktop hasn't shown up anymore.
Whenever I restart, I keep getting stuck at 1. a flashing icon with the picture of a globe, which changes into
2. the question-mark, then
3. the window "Mac OS" with the blue stripe, filling up almost all the way and then
3. a black screen with white letters. If I type something and press return, it asks for password. If I type anything and press return, it says 'login incorrect', and then I see a new screen with "Darwin/BSD (X-3.local) (console)..... next line: "login: "

I don't know what my login could be.

I have since started up from the 10.3 CD, but also only saw a blank field where there should be an icon of my hard drive. (at 'select destination').

Since my post, I used my Apple Hardware Test-CD, and that gave a pass. It said "No device found" for AirPort and Mass Storage. "Device found" for Modem and "Passed" for Logic Board, Memory and VideoRAM.

In any case, what I want to do is still to Erase & Install, because something seems to be very wrong and my stuff is safely backed up.

Looking forward to your answer. Thanks a lot.

ibook Mac OS X (10.3.7)

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Answer 3

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Apr 21, 2007 10:42 PM in response to Mora miko

Mora:

Thanks for updating me on your situation. I think I have a bit clearer picture.

If you want to have OS X 10.3x installed on your computer, and you have a Full Retail Version, you don't need to install 10.1 and 10.2. You can go directly to Panther.

Try this procedure:
Boot from the Panther install CD holding down the "C" key.
Go to the Installer menu and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select Partition tab in main panel. (You are about to create a single partition volume.)
Select number of partition in pulldown menu above Volume diagram.
(Note: 1 partition is normally better for an internal HDD. External HDDs usually have more than one)
Type in name in Name field (usually Macintosh HD)
Select Volume Format as Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Click Partition button at bottom of panel.
Select Erase tab
Select the a volume under Manufacturer ID (usually Macintosh HD).
Check to be sure your Volume Name and Volume Format are correct.
Select Security Options button.
Select Zero all data. (This process will map out bad blocks on your HDD. However, it could take several hours. If you want a quicker method, don't go to Security Options and just click the Erase button, although I recommend the zero all data option.)
Click OK.
Click Erase button
Quit Disk Utility.
Open installer and begin installation process.
Choose to Customize and deselect Foreign Language Translations and Additional Printer drivers.
Check box to install X11.
Proceed with installation.
After installation computer will restart for setup.
After setup, reboot computer.
Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select First Aid in main panel.
Click Repair Disk Permissions.
Connect to Internet.
Download and install 10.3.9 Combo Update
Restart after updates.
Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select First Aid in main panel.
Click Repair Disk Permissions.
Go to Apple Menu > Software Update.
Install all updates.
Repair Disk Permissions as before.

Please do post back if you run into difficulties, or to give an update.

Good luck.

cornelius

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Answer 4

Mora miko Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 22, 2007 3:10 AM in response to Mora miko

Hi Cornelius,
thanks so much for your help!

I followed your steps until

Click Partition button at bottom of panel.

but got stuck there: DU says "Partition failed with the error: Unknown error: -20.
After that it switches back to 'current scheme', 1 grey block with an opened lock. Also, the icon for my hard drive (on the left, below 27.9 GB IBM-etc.) is still grey. The top line is black.

You also wrote:

Check to be sure your Volume Name and Volume Format are correct.

Do you mean the '8 way random write format'-option below 'zero all data'? Should I select that as well, if I could?

I tried the 'First Aid'-tab again, and clicked on 'verify disk' and for the first time, it reacted. It said minor repairs were needed, so I also clicked on 'repair disk'.
It checked what I suppose are the usual things, but it also said
"orphaned indirect node temp2331612;
(in red:) Volume bit Map needs minor repair
Volume Header needs minor repair
(in black:)Repairing volume.

The volume was repaired successfully.

(in green:) 1 HFS volume repaired
(in red:) 1 volume could not be repaired."

Could this have something to do with the fact that we still have OS9 on it? We seldom use that, so I'm willing to do away with it if it would solve the problem.
At the Partition step, I had the 'install Mac OS 9 drivers'-box checked.

Do you know how I could get any further?

Thanks again for your help and for typing those instructions which I hope to be able to follow soon.

ibook Mac OS X (10.3.7)

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Answer 5

Mora miko Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 22, 2007 3:30 AM in response to cornelius

I should add that after "Repair Disk", I tried the Partition-thing again, but again it didn't work with error -20.

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Answer 6

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Apr 22, 2007 10:28 AM in response to Mora miko

Mora:

One more question: You have not identified your ibook, but your reference to five years leads me to think it is a 600 or 700 released in 2002. Can you identify your iBook more closely than that, please?

Here is what I found for Error Code -20:
-20 writErr Driver can't respond to Write call

I think what you have here is a HDD problem. That is what prevents the partitioning and/or erasing.

Here are the options that suggest themselves to me:
1. Run Apple Hardware Test disk that came with your computer.
2. Run Disk Warrior or Tech Tool Pro.
This would be by way of double-checking the health of your internal HDD. My suspicion is that it needs to be replaced.

With that in mind, and without being able to identify your computer exactly, here is a list of available HDDs from OWC. I don't know where you shop for hardware where you are, but this will give you an idea of what you need.

Until the HDD issue is resolved, there is not much point in going any further.

Good luck.

cornelius

Message was edited by: cornelius

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Answer 7

Mora miko Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 22, 2007 11:20 AM in response to cornelius

Hi Cornelius,

The iBook is a G3, 256 ram , 700 Mhz, or the other way around, a 14".

Instead of replacing the HDD, could it be helpful to connect to
- an external hard drive we have?
- or another iBook but G4, 10.4?

If not I'll look into possibilities for replacing the HDD. Probably online, I'm in the countryside in a country with few Macs.

thanks so far.

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Answer 8

Mora miko Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 22, 2007 2:39 PM in response to Mora miko

Also, Cornelius,
do you know if it's possible to replace the harddrive yourself? I mean, myself.

and would I be able to buy a bigger harddrive, like 60 Gb for this G3 ibook instead of 30 GB we have now; like one listed on the site you linked to. are all the ones on that list suitable for my 256, 700?
The iBook won't tell me anymore what kind of computer it is, but I remember it was the biggest one available at that time. 700 sounds more familiar than 600.

thanks for your help,

Mora

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Answer 9

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Apr 22, 2007 3:48 PM in response to Mora miko

Mora:

do you know if it's possible to replace the harddrive yourself? I mean, myself.

Yes. If you are at least a little mechanically inclined, with normal manual dexterity, you can. You will find directions at ifixit. Hopefully I have selected the right iBook.

and would I be able to buy a bigger harddrive, like 60 Gb for this G3 ibook instead of 30 GB we have now;

You need an ATA/IDE drive. Your iBook will support a drive up to 120 GB. Any of the drives in the list I linked will work on your computer. They come in two speeds, 5400 rpms and 7200 rpms. Both will be noticeably faster than your old 4200 rpms drive.

The iBook won't tell me anymore what kind of computer it is,

If you can boot into OS X, go to Apple Menu > About this Mac > More Info > Hardware > Hardware Overview. Copy and paste the top of the main section: Hardware Overview. Mine looks like this:

Hardware Overview:

Machine Name: PowerBook
Machine Model: PowerBook3,1
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (11.4)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 550 MHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 100 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.1.8f5
Serial Number: QT04501KJYY
Sales Order Number: Z02R00L6Z

Let me know if there is anything else you need to know.

Good luck.

cornelius

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Answer 10

Mora miko Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 23, 2007 12:27 PM in response to cornelius

Cornelius,

thanks for the referral to the ifixit-site.
hey, I just called the APple-store to find out what kind of computer I have, and they had it still on file: they knew what ibook I bought 5 years ago.
The harddrive is 30 GB, Ultra ATA/66, 4200 rpm.

Any of the drives in the list I
linked will work on your computer. They come in two
speeds, 5400 rpms and 7200 rpms. Both will be
noticeably faster than your old 4200 rpms drive.

The apple-guy recommended me to not go above 4200 rpm, because this model wasn't tested with rpm's higher than that; what do you think? Of course I'd like to have faster if faster is a Responsible thing to do..

On your list I don't even see HD's with 4200 rpm, maybe they aren't sold anymore.

thanks for your help.

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Answer 11

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Apr 23, 2007 12:51 PM in response to Mora miko

Mora:

I am glad you were able to get the information on your iBook. Can you identify the model for me a bit more exactly, please?

The apple-guy recommended me to not go above 4200 rpm, because this model wasn't tested with rpm's higher than that; what do you think?

I don't even know if they make 4200 rpm HDDs any more. Most earlier computers that came with 4200 rpm HDDs were not tested for it. My Pismo was released in 2000 and I am running a 5400 rpm HDD on it. Many users have installed 7200 HDD with no problems. Your computer will not recognize any HDD larger than 128 GB due to limitations of the bus.

Again, any of the HDDs on the list will work perfectly fine on your iBook.

Good luck.

cornelius

PS: Sounds like you had a very exciting national elections over there.

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Answer 12

Mora miko Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 25, 2007 7:02 AM in response to cornelius

hi Cornelius,

yes the elections were exciting and they're not over yet, though it doesn't look very good.

the question is if my iBook G3, 256 RAM, 700 something, is going to look very good: I just talked with a person of an Apple repair store who said my problem might not have to do with a harddrive but could also be due to a motherboard-problem, as they call the engine here. that would be a lot more expensive to replace than a harddrive.
what do you think?

greetings,
Mora

ibook Mac OS X (10.3.7)

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Answer 13

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Apr 25, 2007 9:04 AM in response to Mora miko

Mora:

It is possible that the motherboard/logic board/engine has a problem. However, that is usually shows itself as a black screen. Sometimes the computer continues to work normally and you can access the HDD to backup data via Firewire Target Disk Mode. If you have your Apple Hardware Test disk, and you can boot from it, you can run the test. Sometimes you need to run it several times or in a loop. That would detect a logic board problem. You can also run Disk Warrior and see what it says.

If, indeed, you have a logic board problem, and you have to pay someone to fix it, it could be quite costly, as it involves taking everything apart to get to the logic board. Since yours is not the newest line of iBooks, it will then be a question of whether it is worth it.

I suspected the HDD because it was not responding to write commands.

Good luck.

cornelius

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