[X-Newbies] ibook won't start

[Scott]

On Mar 20, 2006, at 1:45 PM, John Park wrote:

> Hi,
> I have a g4 powerbook that won't start.
>
> I've used disk utility to repair the disk and repair permissions.
>
> When I turn on the machine, the spinning bar circle spins around  
> and around but nothing happens.
>
> I thought I could start the machine from the install disk by  
> pressing C at start up but the prompts I receive make me think that  
> I'll end up re-installing software on my computer as opposed to  
> starting from a system on the CD.
>
> The machine will start from the install disc when I press C, but  
> I've only been able to get it as far as disk utility, other than  
> that,and like I said above it looks like the disc wants to install  
> software on the machine.
>
> Any thoughts?  I don't own disk warrior, but I'm willing to buy  
> it.  But Disk Utility says that everything has been repaired.
>

Usually when it's doing the 'spinning bar' thing, it's checking the  
disk, as happens when you run disk utility. When you did run DU, did  
it find any errors? If so, even if it did claim to fix them, what  
happens when you run it again? If there are errors that it cannot  
fix, given repeated attempts, you can either try DiskWarrior  
(Alsoft), or erase the drive and start over.

If there are no disk errors, you have an issue w/ the system  
software. Reinstall OS X. Choose the "Archive and Install / preserver  
users and network settings" options. The options button will appear  
as soon as you select what HD to install to.

-- 
Scott Buntin