I am trying to resurrect my wife's old PowerBook G4 (aluminum). The hard drive crashed and I replaced it with a new one (following some very good instructions on youtube). The machine now goes to a grey screen with a "?" and the mac face logo alternating on a folder icon. I believe this means it does not have an operating system. I tried to boot from the OS X (ver 10.1), OS9 and the PowerBook G4 software install disks she gave me and I end up in the same place: flashing ? and mac smile logo. The machine does not want to boot from the disks. What do i do next?
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trouble installing OS X on new hard drive
- Thread starter ToncrFibal
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Try starting the powerbook while holding down the "T" key, if this works and it starts up in target disk mode, (with a large Firewire icon on the screen) then there is some hope. If you have access to another Mac computer you can connect via a firewire cable and use Disk utility on the second mac to partition, format and hopefully get your system installed.
thanks
Thanks. Turning on with the T held did exactly what you hoped. Now to find a firewire cable.
Thanks. Turning on with the T held did exactly what you hoped. Now to find a firewire cable.
Wirelessly posted
Be careful. The oldest OS an AlBook can run would be OSX 10.2.3 (depending on model). AlBooks cannot boot into OS9 as well
You might want to look at the Mactracker app to see what the earliest OS you can run is
Install an earlier OS at your peril.
Be careful. The oldest OS an AlBook can run would be OSX 10.2.3 (depending on model). AlBooks cannot boot into OS9 as well
You might want to look at the Mactracker app to see what the earliest OS you can run is
Install an earlier OS at your peril.
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Use the install discs that came with the PowerBook.
Put it in the Mac.
Reboot.
Hold the option key.
That will give you a list of bootable drives. The only choice you should have is the install disc.
Pick that.
Use disk utility to format the hard drive and create a partition.
Install OS X onto that partition.
Good luck!!!
Put it in the Mac.
Reboot.
Hold the option key.
That will give you a list of bootable drives. The only choice you should have is the install disc.
Pick that.
Use disk utility to format the hard drive and create a partition.
Install OS X onto that partition.
Good luck!!!
One of the posters rightly said that it sounds like you don't have the correct Powerbook discs. As a matter of fact, he's right -- you have the original powerbook discs from the Titanium series that came out in 2001, 10.1 and OS9 version. (I know because I had that model and those discs.)
You need to research the model you have and go from there to restore the hard drive. You will not be able to start up the machine from an OS that is older than what the machine came with.
Thanks - When I boot while holding the option key I get a screen with two icons: a circular arrow and a right arrow. Very hopeful here. Selecting either does not progress past the original screen. Not so hopeful. On to the other suggestions.
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It appears I need to find a firewire cable with two different connectors. My first cable fits the G4, but not the MacBook Pro. The quest continues.
If you're in the U.S. and can't find one locally, Monoprice always has inexpensive, high quality cables and adapters. I do not see a firewire 800 to 400 adapter right now, but you can get a cable with the correct ends for under $5.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10301&cs_id=1030105&p_id=3542&seq=1&format=2
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10301&cs_id=1030105&p_id=3542&seq=1&format=2