Flashing Question Mark and cannot boot from OSX install disc

Nope, if you can't boot to the optical drive, the problem isn't with the hard drive. My guess would be that it's a logic board issue.

 

correct. you could also try holding option key on startup to see if the install disc shows up there as a bootable volume

 

If you have been having problems, and the drive gets fragged ... you will not be able to boot from the DVD.

If the HD is the active startup disk, it will try to load a file from the drive BEFORE it checks the key to boot from the DVD. If it gets corrupted info from the HD or has problems, it won't go any further.

Only way around this is to remove the bad HD, put it in a case for repair. And with a laptop or iMac you might as well put in a new HD while you are there.

With a tower, you remove the bad HD, restart the machine and select another drive to boot from and reinstall the bad HD.

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Note: don't pay someone to replace the drive for you, spend $50-75 and buy one and use the iFixit.com directions to replace it on your own. Plus you'll get a bigger drive than an Apple parts replacement, and no labor charges.

 

Personally, I'd replace the HD myself ... even if it isn't the HD you can probably use the larger drive, or put it in a case for use later.

$50 for a new HD versus $350 for a do it yourself logic board.

Hmmm. I'd likely skip replacing the part and look for the cheapest diagnostic solution... aka, put the internal drive in a case and take it to another Mac.

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Plus, the question mark, and the option restart is working ... if the machine also makes the sound while booting. It sounds like the logic board is working, and the HD isn't -- since the HD doesn't appear anywhere as a bootable volume.

Spending $5-15 on an external IDE notebook USB case for the current drive, and taking it over to another Mac to see if it works is likely the cheapest solution to see what is wrong.

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Remember, a dead HD might work once in 15-20 restart attempts, and either begin booting and succeed or freeze and crash the machine.

Note:

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Device/iBook_G4_12"_800_MHz-1.2_GHz

See the iBook G4 12" Troubleshooting Guide .... it mentioning bad HD.

Installing iBook G4 12" 800 MHz-1.2 GHz Hard Drive Replacement

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Besides simple tools and the possible need for a small torx set, all you will need is a plastic spudger tool (the little plastic tool some people may use to scrape off thermal paste) you should be able to pick up at Radio Shack for a couple few bucks.