PowerBook G4 borked hard disk?

charlie_says · #1 February 11th, 2009, 09:10 AM

So this is what we are working here with:

PowerBook G4.
Original install was Panther which no longer boots (get the flashing ? icon).
Permission to wipe HDD granted, so we decided to put Tiger on as the fella who owns the laptop wants to use some Tiger/Lepoard only software.
New OSX install CD of Tiger.

Steps I have tried:

1. Force OSX with the x button: failed.
2. Boot from Tiger CD using the c button, this works.
3. Disk Utilites on HDD (from the Tiger CD) - nothing appears execpt for the CD drive.

My question is, this HDD has it gone bye bye? I am considering taking the lid off and reseating it as I have seen this happen before in other PC laptops when the drive just doesn't show up at all.

Any suggestions?

Thank you in advance :-)

ora · #2 February 11th, 2009, 09:23 AM

Taking the lid off on those machines is a reasonable amount of hassle i think, it does sound like a borked HD to me though.

One thing to try to try and get to the HD is to start it up in firewire disk mode. Connect the mac to another mac that is already turned on with a firewire lead. Start up the Powerbook with the T key held down, it should load the powerbook as an external firewire drive attached to the other mac. That said if DU won't see the HDD then this may not work either, but is another option.

charlie_says · #3 February 11th, 2009, 09:26 AM

OK thanks I will see if I can find another mac to use, as I am an evil PC person! Arrrgh!
:-)

Yeah I'm thinking it is gone too tbh.

Sure I can find out a guide for popping the hood, just get a 50 quid hard disk and we are away.

ora · #4 February 11th, 2009, 09:44 AM

Evil PC people are welcome here, we even manage to deal with those devilish linux types too!

If you can pin down what model the powerbook is then the instructions on how to change the HDD, assuming that is what is needed, should be here

Doctor X · #5 February 11th, 2009, 09:45 AM

Try the "Ifixit" site.

--J.D.

P.S. Curses! Beat by ora . . . who is correct, PC people are tolerated, they just have to use the servants entrance and speak only when directly questioned.

ora · #6 February 11th, 2009, 09:47 AM

Yep, that is what the everymac page i linked turns out to link through to. It shoudl be on this page at iFixit

charlie_says · #7 February 11th, 2009, 11:02 AM

It's cool I replaced the hard disk, the old one was borked, and am installing OSX Tiger now.

Found some decent videos here by this user powerbook medic on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/user/PowerbookMedic

Thanks for your help nonetheless.