Hi, I have the following problem: I can't boot my powerbook g4, when attempting to reinstall the system the HD doesn't show as a target for the installation. I can boot the PB from an external drive when the internal one is disconnected. AND I can boot a different mac from my PBs drive via target disc mode- thus it is not a faulty drive. I figure it must be some sort of firmware issue or something on the logic board. Does anyone have any ideas?? Thanks
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Powerbook G4 Hard drive
- Thread starter SCIENTIST29
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Reset pram
Reset pram, then restart from cd and use disk utility and repair, and repair permissions then try again.
Reset pram, then restart from cd and use disk utility and repair, and repair permissions then try again.
The problem is that when I try disc utility from the cd, the whole thing crashes and I can't do anything...I can do this via target disc mode, however but it doesn't change anything...any other ideas??
Just to be clear: You boot from the installation DVD, you open Disk Utility and the computer crashes?
If so: Ouch! That would either point to (at minimum) a broken HDD or a bad cable. Worst case: the (PATA controller on the ) logic board is toast.
I'd say there's no way to remedy it without opening up the machine. If you have an external enclosure for a 2,5" PATA drive, take out the HDD, plug it into another computer and see if the HDD works. If the drive works, it's either the cable or logic board, if it does not, suspicions fall on the drive.
EDIT: Did you say target disk mode works? That would mean the drive controller can't be to blame...
If you've never opened a PB, look for step-by-step guides on ifixit.com (they also sell parts, such as cables etc.)
Keep us posted...
RGDS,
Target disc mode does work fine..Does that really guarrantee that the logicboard is ok? I tried a HDD from a functional pb including the cable, but also nothing...
Well, the logic board may not be ok, but at least it cannot be totally toast.
RGDS,
If it was the HDD controller, could a HDD connected to the CD ROM bus via a caddie be an option or would that also not work??
I must admit, I'm skating on thin ice here - Have never used target disk mode and have no insights as to how it *really* works, but, logically:
Normal HDD use
HDD->cable->connector->IDE controller->???->CPU
Target disk mode:
HDD->cable->connector->IDE controller->???->FW-port
As you can see (given that one works, while the other does not), the problem has to be in the ??? -section, but whether using the optical bay would circumvent the problem is anyone's guess.
You do not happen to have a FW IDE- enclosure lying around (or a FireWire disk for that matter?
RGDS,
Unfortunately not...I think however the more important thing is what is going on when the pb is booted from another computer via TD mode.
HDD->cable->connector->IDE controller->???->FW-port-> ??? ->cpu
HDD
HDD->cable->connector->IDE controller->???->FW-port-> ??? ->cpu
HDD
It's the saddest thing when you see a perfectly working laptop, sound, screen, processor and ONE single component isn't working.
It's like a curse.It's the saddest thing when you see a perfectly working laptop, sound, screen, processor and ONE single component isn't working.
Don't get me started, I was frustrated for several weeks! I got myself the 2008 macbook Pro, which is almost identical and I am 100% satisfied, the speed compared to the PB is enormous...