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General discussion

iBook won't boot - do I need to replace the HD?

Oct 8, 2006 5:53AM PDT

I'v got a 600MHx 12" iBook G3 that won't boot anymore. If I try to boot up like normal, it stops at the spinning wheel. If I try to get it to boot into terminal mode, it stops after about 4 lines of the boot process.

I've tried repairing the disk with the original 10.3 disk that I have, but no go either.

Is the HD just dead now, with no way to resurrect it? I really hope not.

Do I need to replace the HD in order to get my iBook to boot again? I have read the steps for replacing an HD in a 12" iBook and they aren't very inviting. I know that I could do it, but I really don't want to have to go through what seems to be a rather large ordeal.

I sure hope that there is a way to get my original HD to boot - at least long enough so that I can get all of the data off of it.

What should I do (besides take it to a repair shop and have them deal with it).?

Discussion is locked

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Reinstall the OS using
Oct 8, 2006 6:09AM PDT

the original 10.3 disks. Boot from the CD/DVD

You can do an Archive and Install and retain your data. A & A is in the first option after the installer launches.

It is most likely, but not certain, that the only thing wrong is a corrupt OS

Go for it


P

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Just re-install the OS?
Oct 9, 2006 1:37AM PDT

I never chose to do a reinstall, because I just assumed that it was going to wipe out the whole disk. Stupid me, huh?

So if I just choose the installed from the CD, the first thing I can choose before re-installing is to archive the data? If what you propose is actually the problem (just a corrupt OS), 2 questions. First, will all of my system settings and personal tweaks be gone if I do get a successful install? Second, how do I unpack the archived data? (Sorry, but I don't use my Mac that much.)

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Archive and Install
Oct 9, 2006 6:05AM PDT

Not a problem.

There are basically two types of install that you can do on your machine.
1. Format and Install. This will format the HD and totally destroy ALL the data that is on there. It will then load a new copy of the OS and whatever applications came with it.
OR
2. Archive and Install. This option will gather up your account, the one with the little house on it, and store it safely. It will then install a new copy of the OS, and whatever applications that came with it. On completion of the install, it will put your account back where it got it from and reset all your network settings and other preferences back they way they were.
The only thing to remember with this option is that any Software updates you have done, will need to be done again. You would do that as soon as you logged back on after the install.

Once everything is completed, you just fire up the machine and continue working as normal.(Not forgetting the Software Updates)

Now, if it will not install, the HD may actually be faulty. If that is the case, the only recourse is to replace it.

Think positive, do the Archive and Install first.

Good Luck

P