Software Restart

stilbite

Registered
I have a G4 iBook. 1,07ghz 60GB HD.
It has a unique problem I have been totally unable to resolve.
It brings up a flashing Q mark whenever I try a software restart.
his is a restart from anywhere on the iBook except the on/off button.
Aoole menu ..RESTART.
Software update ..RESTART...
Disk Utility ....RESTART
System Preferences.. Start up Disk... RESTART
ONYX.. Automation.. RESTART

All the time it give a Q mark.. if I press the power button and shut down.. then power up all is ok.

I have tried two different HD's another 60Gb and a 150GB.. SAME.
I have loaded Leopard as it had Tiger on one drive SAME!

I have done all the keys.. Open Firmware.. PRAM reset.. etc..
AND ALL THE pERMISSIONS DOZENS OF TIMES..!

Totally lost now.
 
Can you take a screen shot of the Q?

Do not know if this will help the "Gurus" but are you able to post the logs? They may be able to tell what is happening.

--J.D.
 
I have a G4 iBook. 1,07ghz 60GB HD.
It has a unique problem I have been totally unable to resolve.
It brings up a flashing Q mark whenever I try a software restart.
his is a restart from anywhere on the iBook except the on/off button.
Aoole menu ..RESTART.
Software update ..RESTART...
Disk Utility ....RESTART
System Preferences.. Start up Disk... RESTART
ONYX.. Automation.. RESTART

All the time it give a Q mark.. if I press the power button and shut down.. then power up all is ok.

I have tried two different HD's another 60Gb and a 150GB.. SAME.
I have loaded Leopard as it had Tiger on one drive SAME!

I have done all the keys.. Open Firmware.. PRAM reset.. etc..
AND ALL THE pERMISSIONS DOZENS OF TIMES..!

Totally lost now.

Hello stilbite,

This could be the warning signs of a failing hard drive.

If I were you, I would back up all my important data/files post haste!
 
stillbite - looks like you already tried replacing your hard drive.
I have tried two different HD's another 60Gb and a 150GB.. SAME.
I have loaded Leopard as it had Tiger on one drive SAME!
You should try a different IDE ribbon cable.
If that doesn't help, then continued slow response for your hard drive likely means a bad ATA drive controller chip (and means replacing the logic board...)
 
Thanks for all your tips guys...

Eldiabloconcaca.. this was one last tip I received from a Techie.. and funny enough it asks to RESTART.. no Joy.

DeltaMac.. that may be a good idea as I always get a "flash" on the screen as if it cannot link to the HD.

Doctor X .. the Gurus posted it here after five days of no help.

ALL.. I don't have any valuable data on it.. seeing as I have tried THREE different HD's.

Gonna Try the IDE cable.. as I have a spare. Will get back with a result..

Thanks !

Jimbo
 
Doctor X.. sorry should have been more specific ie "Q".. it's the classic Flashing question mark at start up.
 
OH! Well definitely check to see if your Startup Disk is ACTUALLY chosen in System Preferences--I had that problem for a bit!

--J.D.
 
DeltaMac..

GO TO THE TOP OF THE CLASS!!!

Replaced the IDE cable attaching the HD and Motherboard and it has started Three times from different SOFTWARE RESTARTS without a hitch.. TOP MARKS!

I could not really see any thing wrong with the cable but if I was to be picky.. I could say the black block that takes the tiny spokes from the hard drives was slightly (only slightly) apart from the cable showing o few of the little connectors..maybe that's all it takes... It was firmly fixed to the MB.

RESULT!

Many thanks for you efforts peeps!
 
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