Can't boot 3 1/2 year old iBook G4 - hard drive failure?

rainbow kirby · 01-09-2008 2:20pm #1

So my sister's laptop decided to start acting up last night, it's an iBook late 2004 model, 12", 1.2GHz processor with 512MB RAM, running OS X 10.4.11. Everything froze when she was opening iTunes, she rebooted and is now getting an error message saying "You need to restart your computer. Hold down the power button for several seconds or press the Restart button". Nothing at all shows up when I connect it to my Macbook Pro in target disc mode and I've reset the power management unit and PRAM.

Am I right in thinking the hard drive is ****ed?

Sad Professor · 01-09-2008 2:28pm

Kernel panic. Could be a number of things. Have you got an installation disc or OSX disc that you can boot off (by holding c on startup)? From there you can run Disk Utility and verify/repair the hdd.

So what happens when you try to start it up now? Is it totally dead? Or do you just get another kernel panic?

rainbow kirby · 01-09-2008 2:43pm

I've only got the Intel-specific OSX 10.4 discs from my MBP, but I can acquire the PPC ones. It just gives another kernel panic.

Sad Professor · 01-09-2008 2:49pm

At what point do you get the kernel panic? Does it make it to the desktop at least?

Try starting up in safe mode (see here).

rainbow kirby · 01-09-2008 3:01pm

It never makes it to the desktop, and I get the same error message when I attempt to boot it in safe mode.

Sad Professor · 01-09-2008 3:31pm

Hmmmm, since target disk mode won't work either it probably means the hard disk is f**ked alright. Especially given the age of the ibook. Any weird (i.e. dying) sounds from the hard disk? Could also be the logic board.

Where exactly in the start-up process do you get the kernel panic?

I'm not sure what else to suggest without an install disk.

Anyone else have any ideas?

rainbow kirby · 01-09-2008 3:38pm

On startup it goes chime -> grey Apple screen -> error message/kernel panic and goes no further.
Just wondering whether it's actually worthwhile getting it fixed if it is a logic board or hard drive failure, this laptop is only really used by my little sister for web browsing/MSN and iTunes so if it's in any way an expensive repair I may consider just getting an EEEPC instead.

Sad Professor · 01-09-2008 3:46pm

If it's the logic board—forget it. But if it's the hdd then it might be worth it if you could replace it yourself or know someone.

muggyog · 01-09-2008 4:25pm

What happens if you start up in Single User mode?

babypink · 01-09-2008 10:23pm

i'm repeating SP's question re sounds..... does the HD sound like it's spinning up properly? just plant your ear to it and boot.

Also - it'd be good if you can try boot into OpenFirmware mode..... hold CMD+OPT+O+F while booting. If you can get into open firmware there's a good chance the logic board is ok. Combined with what you hear from the HD it'll give a pretty good idea whats going on.

....additionally - if you manage to boot into OpenFirmware you'll be greeted by a super-sparse prompt. Issue the following 3 commands(each followed by hitting return):

reset-nvram
set-defaults
reset-all

Can't boot 3 1/2 year old iBook G4 - hard drive failure?

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