Replacing the HD

G

Graeth

Registered
I have a locked up hard drive on my G4 ibook. Is it possible just to replace the HD and install tiger onto it from scratch? Was looking on ebay, saw some pretty cheap drives.
 
What do you mean by "locked up"?. Unless the drive is physically damaged, you can still install a new system, even if the current one has a password.

If you need a replacement drive, you'll need a 2.5" notebook-size IDE drive - NOT SATA. OWC has a good reputations for selling Mac parts, eBay can be iffy sometimes (but cheaper).
 
It is passworded and the 'setup drive' function has been disabled. And are you sure I need an IDE drive? the computer itself says it has an SATA.
 
Are you booting from the OS X install CD? You will be unable to format the disk if you're running from the system. I'm pretty sure that the iBooks do not support SATA - the MacBooks do, but I think iBooks are ATA only. What is the model of the iBook?
 
Model is A1133.

I can't boot from the CD because the option has been disabled and is passworded.

And how would I get to the HD? On my previous laptop, the HD can be accessed by popping up the keyboard. On the ibook, the keyboard only guards the ram slot.
 
It does not matter if the OS will not let you boot from CD - you can do it manually on bootup if you have the install CD in and hold down the C key (Or option key to show all bootup options).
Here's some good hard-drive replacement instructions:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/
 
Are you saying that someone has put an open-firmware password on the iBook (blue-ish screen with a password field and a picture of a padlock)? If so, you can get around that by adding or removing a significant amount of RAM, then when you boot for the first time after doing this, zap the PRAM three times (hold Command-Option-P-R while it boots, keep them held down until the machine reboots 3 times). That should get you around the firmware password, if indeed that's what you're referring to.
 
I'm guessing that you just bought this iBook?
You said this iBook is yours, yet you also say that the firmware password is enabled, and apparently you don't know what that is.

Even if you replace the hard drive, your computer will still be unable to boot. That firmware password is not on the hard drive.

If you forgot the firmware password, then you have to reset your iBook firmware. There is a way to do that, and maybe someone else who knows will help you. Apple will help you, but you have to prove that the iBook belongs to you.
 
Eric: When I hold down the C button, nothing happens. When I hold down the option button, The only option that shows up is labled Macintosh HD.

ElDiablo: Have never seen that screen, so I don't think that's it. When I open up the ram panel under the keyboard, its empty. So I'm guessing the ram is deeper somewhere where I can't get to it with out seriously taking a screwdriver to it or it's built in.

DeltaMac: Its a couple months old. My roomate left on bad terms and locked it up before he left. I can't change anything because I need admin rights. And I can't really prove that it's mine, seeing as the only items I brought with me are the computer itself and the power supply.
 
Graeth said:
ElDiablo: Have never seen that screen, so I don't think that's it. When I open up the ram panel under the keyboard, its empty. So I'm guessing the ram is deeper somewhere where I can't get to it with out seriously taking a screwdriver to it or it's built in.
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ElDiabloConCaca said:
If so, you can get around that by adding or removing a significant amount of RAM, then when you boot for the first time after doing this, zap the PRAM three times.
Click to expand...
 
I don't think you have a firmware password at all, if you haven't seen the blue screen with a padlock.
Does your iBook actually boot so you can use it, or just get the login screen (and you don't know the password)?

I think you do need an OS X installer CD/DVD - and not one that is labeled Updater.
 
Are you sure the CD drive works? Are you using the right CDs? You need either the retail version, which will have a big "X" decorating it, or the system-specific grey version labeled "Mac OS X Install Disk 1" or "Software install".
 
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