iBook won't startup of HD or CD

Y

yurtdwlr

Registered
Hello,

I have an iBook running 10.3.8. It will not startup off the hard drive, nor the cd (install disc (also 10.3) holding down c or holding down command)). I get a bit of cd activity and then the grey screen with the 'no' symbol and the 'rotating sun symbol.' If I startup with nothing held down I get the ? alternating with the folder face.

Yesterday it had been having startup difficulties and I was able to get it to boot (off the cd) and ran disc utilities and zapped the PRAM. Thereafter the situation degraded.

Any suggestions?
 
Will it even try to power up (not boot up)? If so, then have you tried fsck? Also, what kind of iBook is it?
 
I can't get it to boot in single-user mode or even get to a prompt. How do I get it to a prompt to run fsck?

When I attempt to start it up, it gives me a grey screen for a length of time and then goes to the folder that alternately flashes the ? and the mac face logo. After a period of time it will go to the grey apple screen. This is generally followed by the no symbol and the sun ray timer symbol. I've tried starting up with command held down and it still won't let me get to the cd.

The iBook was purchased new in June of 2002. It has dual USBs and firewire. White outer case, silver inner case.
 
Hold the Option key at boot to choose startup drives, not the Command key.

Your symptoms seem typical of a failed/failing hard drive. You will probably find that the system will not boot from anything until the hard drive is removed/replaced. You could possibly get a FireWire drive to boot, but sometimes not then.
 
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