iBook g3 800mhz gray screen on boot. what do i do?

Do you know how to boot into Single User Mode and run fsck?

Reboot, and hold down the command (apple) and 's' key until you see a black screen with text. When the scrolling stops, at the prompt, type

fsck -f [including the space, then return]

after the disk check, and repair if necessary, type

reboot [return]

The Mac should boot. If fsck isn't able to repair the disk, you will be notified. You can try again -- sometimes this works. If not, either the disk is bad or you could try a commercial disk repair utility such as Disk Warrior.

Might just throw this out there.. if this issue persists after following IJ Reilly's advice, you might check under your keyboard to see if your serial number falls within the UV117XXXXXX to UV342XXXXXX range. If so your computer may qualify for the iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program based on the issues you describe. You'd have to call apple about it though, or go in to a repair shop.

Switching back!!! Lack of support

Johnny Rico said:

Might just throw this out there.. if this issue persists after following IJ Reilly's advice, you might check under your keyboard to see if your serial number falls within the UV117XXXXXX to UV342XXXXXX range. If so your computer may qualify for the iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program based on the issues you describe. You'd have to call apple about it though, or go in to a repair shop.

Click to expand...

Johnny,
Sorry to see that you are banned, your information is the only link that offered any kind of clarity. As a recent switcher, I have to admit, that I had high expectations with macs. I too purchased a used ibook hoping that it would meet all my needs without the 'fluff' of windows. My ibook worked great for about 2 months. I have since had all the problems listed above, and and none of the press and hold key strokes would get me a screen that was anything other than grey. Once I contacted apple regarding this, they told me that the program expired a couple months ago. So if I am going to keep going with apple, I am going to purchase a new logic board. Sorry, I am NOT going to throw any more money at this. I can't justify $380.00 to limp this machine along. That is almost enough money to purchase a new Windows based PC from any of the big companies. It takes pride to admit your product has faults, it takes dignity to make it right. Shoey