multiple problems with os x 10.4 on g4 pb

[jbrokaw]

i have two major problems that ive been trying to fix for days and can not solve either. i have looked on many forums and tried a couple solutions but they didnt work. my first problem is my computer will only start in safe boot. it does it automatically, i dont press anything to do this. i tried downloading applejack, and installed and started it in single usermode. it went to the black screen with white writing then the computer booted up in regular mode without me pressing anything. but i didnt see any promt from applejack at any time. and when i restart it just goes to safeboot automatically.

my second problem is my shift key. it doesnt work, i tried taking off the key and cleaning it, but it didnt solve anything, if i monkey with it enough it will get stuck on for a while but never acts functional. cap lock still works, but i cant make question marks or parenthesis and it is very annoying. can the two problems be related/questionmark

[Giaguara]

If you disable ALL the items you have under startup/login items for your main user account, can you then log in?

If your shift would work in safe boot hten maybe. Sounds like mechanical issue though.

[jbrokaw]

im not too good with computers and i took your advise, but i think i made a mistake, i removed all the things in the login options of my account settings then i attempted to restart my computer and after the chime a grey screen apeared with a small blinking box in the center with what looked like a map of the world. It just blinks(and makes me wish i had just stayed in safemode where i could atleast be on my computer). Is there anyway to correct this?

[powermac]

It sounds like your computer is trying to find a boot-able drive. The small icon of the globe indicates that it failed to boot on your Hard-Drive, and was searching for a network drive. Here is an Apple Document on OSX short-cut keystrokes:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75459

If you notice, in the first section, that if you hold down the shift key, OSX will boot in 'Safe Mode.' If your shift key is broken, and depressed, then it makes sense that your are having trouble booting up correctly.

What type of keyboard do you have?

[jbrokaw]

I have a 12" power book with the standard keyboard.
I think my current problem with the blinking globe has something to do with what the first person recomended me doing (going to the startup items and removing all the items there) because after i did that and restarted then the blinking globe came.
how do i fix this, do i need to reinstall my operating system or is there another way.

My laptop is old and i dont have the osx cd anymore. Will i need to buy a new one or is it possible to borrow one from someone i know?

[nixgeek]

Originally Posted by jbrokaw

I have a 12" power book with the standard keyboard.
I think my current problem with the blinking globe has something to do with what the first person recomended me doing (going to the startup items and removing all the items there) because after i did that and restarted then the blinking globe came.
how do i fix this, do i need to reinstall my operating system or is there another way.

My laptop is old and i dont have the osx cd anymore. Will i need to buy a new one or is it possible to borrow one from someone i know?

You would need to purchase a new installation disc. Using another person's disc is not only against the EULA agreement (this would constitute piracy), but if it's an OEM disc it might not work on your Mac. If you need to purchase a retail OS X installation set, check Other World Computing. They have some good prices on OS X installation media.

[Viro]

Err... if he borrows from someone who has the same model as him, it would work. By same model, I mean the exact same model (i.e. same processor speed and video card, which should be pretty easy to tell as Apple hardware is standardized). It isn't piracy, since you can't get a Powerbook without the discs anyway so you would have paid the price in one form or another.

[jbrokaw]

Looks like i will have to buy a new one, the only person I know with a disc only has panther and he has an ibook instead of a powerbook like me.
I was looking around and it looks like it will be 90 dollars. I saw some on ebay for cheaper, but idk if those are legal or will work.
But before I buy I just would like someone to confirm what i should get.
Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger single user.
Currently when i turn on the computer the blinking globe shows up, so if i buy this and put in the new tiger disc, will it install by itself?