Powerbook G4 - dead?

[Darren S]

If a Powerbook that's been sat on a shelf for months, decides to simply display an Apple logo in the middle of the screen - does that mean its funcked?

It does the start-up 'DONG' noise and then a few seconds later, just puts up the Apple logo. No spinning progress icon or anything. Are there any key combo I can press to find out a bit more info?

Cheers,
D.

 

[Tom]

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303124

Should still work

If the computer won’t turn on or start up​

Make sure the power adapter is plugged in to the computer and in to a functioning​

power outlet. Make sure to use the power adapter that came with your computer. If

the power adapter stops charging and you don’t see a light when you plug in the​

power cord, try unplugging and replugging it to reset it.​

Check if your battery needs to be recharged. Press the small button on the battery.
You should see one to four lights indicating the battery’s level of charge. If only one

battery level indicator light is flashing, allow the power adapter to charge the battery

until at least one indicator light is glowing continuously.​

If the first two suggestions do not solve the problem, return the computer to its
factory settings by disconnecting the power adapter, removing the battery, and

holding down the power button (®) for at least 5 seconds.​

If you recently installed additional memory, make sure that it is correctly installed
and that it is compatible with your computer. See whether removing it allows the

computer to start up (see “Installing Additional Memory” on page 58).​

If you are still unable to start up your computer, see the service and support


​

information that came with your PowerBook for information about contacting Apple
for service.

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/PowerBookG4_15in_DblLayerSuperDrive.pdf

 

[sn00p]

If a Powerbook that's been sat on a shelf for months, decides to simply display an Apple logo in the middle of the screen - does that mean its funcked?

It does the start-up 'DONG' noise and then a few seconds later, just puts up the Apple logo. No spinning progress icon or anything. Are there any key combo I can press to find out a bit more info?

Cheers,
D.

Apple logo means that it's booting. Probably dead hard drive or something like that. Try booting from an OS X cd/dvd (and hold down 'C' when turing on) and then use disk utility to check the drive.

 

[Darren S]

Not having much luck here, fellas. I'm suspecting that sn00p's suggestion of the hard drive being shot is the main culprit. Are they standard items on the Powerbooks or Mac specific?

I could really do with finding the original CDs too. Its not our laptop, so I'll have to chase the owner for them. Would it allow booting from another OSX CD or is their license issues to consider?

Thanks again,

D.

 

[sn00p]

Not having much luck here, fellas. I'm suspecting that sn00p's suggestion of the hard drive being shot is the main culprit. Are they standard items on the Powerbooks or Mac specific?

I could really do with finding the original CDs too. Its not our laptop, so I'll have to chase the owner for them. Would it allow booting from another OSX CD or is their license issues to consider?

Thanks again,

D.

Any retail OS X disc will do.

Copies of OS X that come bundled with the machines are specific to that model, so you'd need a disc from that model if you haven't got access to a retail disc.