Wipe memory in Startup

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Level 1

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Wipe memory in Startup

My iBook G4 freezes on startup every time. I have tried some key combinations suggested on other threads but this has not worked.
How can I wipe the operating system off my computer and reload it on during startup? I was on panther but upgraded it to tiger about 6 months ago.

(The info in green below is for my new computer not the iBook)

MacBook (2GHz), Mac OS X (10.4.9), 1GB Ram, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 80GB Hard drive

Posted on Jun 10, 2007 8:47 AM

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Answer 1

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Jun 10, 2007 9:14 AM in response to natamac

natamac:

Welcome to Apple Discussiions.

It will be helpful to have information on the computer which is under discussion. I suggest you add the computer model, RAM, HDD size etc.

Before you wipe the disk and re-install there are some procedures that you should try to correct them. I sugguest that you begin with:
Repair Disk
Insert Installer disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu (Panther and earlier) or Utilities menu (Tiger) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
(Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel, and report if it says anything but Verified)
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
If DU reports errors it cannot repair you will need to use a utility like Tech Tool Pro or Disk Warrior

Please post back with with update, further questions or comments.

Good luck.

cornelius

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Answer 2

natamac Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 10, 2007 9:38 AM in response to cornelius

Hi,

Thanks for your help.
I could not find S.M.A.R.T. in disk utility by I ran the verify disk and it came up with:
Reserved fields in the catalog record have incorrect data.
Invalid key length
Volume check failed

The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972)

these were all in red type.
I then tried repair disk but it said that it could not be repaired.

Should I now re-install OS X?

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Answer 3

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Jun 10, 2007 10:37 AM in response to natamac

natamac:

Thanks for posting back with an update.

You have serious directory issues. Error Code -9972 is pretty radical as you can see in this article and in this one.
1. Be sure you have an up-to-date reliable backup. The best backup would be to clone the entire HDD to an external Firewire HDD using SuperDuper. If you need more help with backup, please ask.
2. Follow directions in the articles. I recommend using Disk Warrior or Tech Tool Pro, although, depending on the severity of the issue, there is no guarantee of their success.
3. You may need to do a reformat, zero all data, re-install and restore. Post back for directions for those procedures.
4. Sometimes all of the above procedures are not able to remedy the situation and the only resolution is to instatall a new HDD. However, we are not there yet.

Please let me know how it goes, and any other questions you have.

Good luck.

cornelius

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