PowerBook G4 (12") acting up? Help?

[WinkWink726]

So, my powerbook G4 has been a champ since '05.

I give the thing to my fiance and all of the sudden its acting up! gah!

Here's whats going on:

He took over the computer about 2 weeks ago or so.
Changed his settings; made it "his" (with regards to desktop/screensaver stuff);
Bought a Mighty Mouse;
imported a ton of music to iTunes and really that's been it.

Last night he woke the computer up and his settings had all changed!
The desktop
The dock size
the icons in the dock
the mouse/trackpad cursor speed
everything!

Then he went to plug in his iPod and it said that it wasn't recognized and he went into iTunes and it was like he was going in there for the first time. He had to set up his iTunes and all of his music was gone!

What would cause something to reset like that???

Any ideas???

I'm at a loss and probably going to take the thing to the genius bar.
He's kinda freaked about someone somehow hacking into his computer possibly with Bluetooth.

Is that possible???
Should you turn bluetooth off before you close down?

 

[seb-opp]

You can only connect with another bluetooth device without a message coming up on the computer if they have previously been paired up and an account for the device made on the laptop.

The problem might have been caused if your fiance changed the name of his home folder. Im assuming he did not create a new account on the computer for himself, but used yours and changed its name. I stupidly did this once and had similar symptoms.

If that is the cause, I think there would be a new folder in the Users folder called Previous users. I solved the problem by renaming and moving files back to their original location, But this was ages ago and I cant remember the exact steps.

 

[WinkWink726]

That helps, he may have done this.

I actually just scheduled an appointment with the Genius Bar for tomorrow AM for him.

We'll see
(and thanks for the info regarding the Bluetooth stuff)

If anyone has any other ideas/theories, please let me know.

Is there any reason that a computer would just reset itself back to factory settings?

 

[maccam]

Nope, seb-opp is right.

Have your boy reinstall the system, and everything will be fine.

 

[WinkWink726]

Nope, seb-opp is right.

Have your boy reinstall the system, and everything will be fine.

Okay, here's a noob related question (I've proven myself good at those!) LOL

Are we basically talking about formatting the hard drive or what?

I have been using the Microsoft Office Suite that I got for free from the University of Pittsburgh when i was a student there.

I've bluetoothed the entire suite from that computer onto this one when i made the switch from one the G4 to the MacBook.
does anyone know if I'll still be able to use that same software CD on the new computer?
Like, how many times can i use that software?
I dont want him to be up a creek and not have a software suite!! Eesh!

 

[maccam]

Okay, here's a noob related question (I've proven myself good at those!) LOL

Are we basically talking about formatting the hard drive or what?

I have been using the Microsoft Office Suite that I got for free from the University of Pittsburgh when i was a student there.

I've bluetoothed the entire suite from that computer onto this one when i made the switch from one the G4 to the MacBook.
does anyone know if I'll still be able to use that same software CD on the new computer?
Like, how many times can i use that software?
I dont want him to be up a creek and not have a software suite!! Eesh!

Yeah, you can install Microsoft Office as many times as you need.

To reinstall the system: (you need your PowerBook disc) plug in the disc, restart the computer holding C down. Just follow the instructions (it's not hard) there's a spot somewhere to select "Erase and Install" select that and you'll be good!

 

[WinkWink726]

Yeah, you can install Microsoft Office as many times as you need.

To reinstall the system: (you need your PowerBook disc) plug in the disc, restart the computer holding C down. Just follow the instructions (it's not hard) there's a spot somewhere to select "Erase and Install" select that and you'll be good!

You are a God Send!!!

(Fair Warning: there's a good chance that I might be back!!! LOL)
But seriously, thanks a million!
I'm going to give it a try and we'll just have to wait and see!

But seriously, Thanks again!!

 

[WinkWink726]

Update

So, i took the G4 to the Apple Genius Bar and they ran the diagnostic test twice and everything passed perfectly both times.

Musta been a freak glitch?
I dunno.

So all is well in G4 land and Brian has a computer again!