[Rhisiart]

My four year old iBook G4 14" starts up with the reassuring chime but doesn't get past the initial blue screen.

If I attempt to use DiskWarrior or Techtool Pro (using an external drive as the iBook's drive slot has been jammed for a some time), the computer starts up without the chime and a horrible depixelated blackish screen appears.

There has been a Leopard install disc stuck in the CD/DVD drive since last December. However, the current problem only started a few weeks ago.

I don't know whether to trash the iBook or take it to an Apple Repair shop. The warranty ran out two years ago and I will be expected to pay £60/$100 just to have it looked at, never mind having it repaired.

Can anyone shed any light on what may be wrong?