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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Serious Problems With Powerbook
KPHansen - Nov 15, 2005 - 1:44 pm
Hello,
hope that some one of you guys can help me solving several probloems with my
Powerbook G4 12inch, Superdrive, 10.3
My technical knowledge is, let's say, enough to work with a mac, but nothing more in detail concerning Soft and HArdware.
My problems:
My PB is 1,5 years old, 12 weeks ago, it started to boot very slowly. Running applications caused always problems. Even when I just used iTunes without internet or any other application, it started do run the program smoothly. So restarting, etc. caused more and more problems (questionmarks when starting, etc.) Finally it was not possible anymore to start the PB.
Consulting an authorizied apple shop. they mentioned that I would have a bad bug (whatever that means) and the B-tree is demaged (?). So the only chance would be to reinstall the system again. So after 2 days and 60 EUR less, i had back my PB without my programs :-) and it worked now for 10 weeks.
Yesterday same story again, it started to freeze, block application or just did not run well. Finally no start possible anymore.
After trying to install the system again, several problems occured:
Could not install the system, or just partially.
Finally after 3 tries,. the system was on it and asked my to update my MaxOS, allowing this, it froze at one point.
then same story again,.. tried several times to install the MacOS, but different problems occured:
- stopped at the log-in window, or just before.
-just showed my a black screen witht he notice to restart the computer
- or just stopped installing the system
Finally 4 hours later I had the basic system on my PB. Now I did not update the system (as I did the first time) and the system still works.
But in my eyes, not safe,.. I am afraid to shut it down, etc. I have now problems to install some downloaded software (.dmg), some work, some do not.
So,.. I hope I could describe my problems in a way you can understand.
Further informations:
After the first crash I installed a anti-virus software: Virusbanner, but it never found anything.
I had mlmac running, before and after the first crash.
other downloadet software was ICQ and MSN Messenger
What causes this big software problems ??? I am afraid to give it again to an apple shop and after 8-12 weeks the same problem occurs again!!
if you need additional information, let me know,.. i try to explain it.
hope that some one of you guys can help me solving several probloems with my
Powerbook G4 12inch, Superdrive, 10.3
My technical knowledge is, let's say, enough to work with a mac, but nothing more in detail concerning Soft and HArdware.
My problems:
My PB is 1,5 years old, 12 weeks ago, it started to boot very slowly. Running applications caused always problems. Even when I just used iTunes without internet or any other application, it started do run the program smoothly. So restarting, etc. caused more and more problems (questionmarks when starting, etc.) Finally it was not possible anymore to start the PB.
Consulting an authorizied apple shop. they mentioned that I would have a bad bug (whatever that means) and the B-tree is demaged (?). So the only chance would be to reinstall the system again. So after 2 days and 60 EUR less, i had back my PB without my programs :-) and it worked now for 10 weeks.
Yesterday same story again, it started to freeze, block application or just did not run well. Finally no start possible anymore.
After trying to install the system again, several problems occured:
Could not install the system, or just partially.
Finally after 3 tries,. the system was on it and asked my to update my MaxOS, allowing this, it froze at one point.
then same story again,.. tried several times to install the MacOS, but different problems occured:
- stopped at the log-in window, or just before.
-just showed my a black screen witht he notice to restart the computer
- or just stopped installing the system
Finally 4 hours later I had the basic system on my PB. Now I did not update the system (as I did the first time) and the system still works.
But in my eyes, not safe,.. I am afraid to shut it down, etc. I have now problems to install some downloaded software (.dmg), some work, some do not.
So,.. I hope I could describe my problems in a way you can understand.
Further informations:
After the first crash I installed a anti-virus software: Virusbanner, but it never found anything.
I had mlmac running, before and after the first crash.
other downloadet software was ICQ and MSN Messenger
What causes this big software problems ??? I am afraid to give it again to an apple shop and after 8-12 weeks the same problem occurs again!!
if you need additional information, let me know,.. i try to explain it.
bobw - Nov 15, 2005 - 2:08 pm
Hi Matthias
The B-Tree erros indicate problems with the hard drive.
You need to backup anything important, your files, anything you can replace.
Then you need to reformt the drive to bring it back in good shape.
Boot from the OS disc, after the Installer window appears, go up to the Installer Menu to Disk Utility. Use that to reformat the drive (Extended).
When that's done, use Disk Utility again to Repair Drive to see if there are any errors.
In the Disk Utility window, with the drive highlighted on the left, look at the bottom of the window for S.M.A.R.T. Status.
If it's Verified, then quit Disk Utility and continue with the system install.
If it's not verified, replace the hard drive, it will fail.
--------
Bobw - Macosx.com Tech Support
The B-Tree erros indicate problems with the hard drive.
You need to backup anything important, your files, anything you can replace.
Then you need to reformt the drive to bring it back in good shape.
Boot from the OS disc, after the Installer window appears, go up to the Installer Menu to Disk Utility. Use that to reformat the drive (Extended).
When that's done, use Disk Utility again to Repair Drive to see if there are any errors.
In the Disk Utility window, with the drive highlighted on the left, look at the bottom of the window for S.M.A.R.T. Status.
If it's Verified, then quit Disk Utility and continue with the system install.
If it's not verified, replace the hard drive, it will fail.
--------
Bobw - Macosx.com Tech Support
KPHansen - Nov 16, 2005 - 6:21 am
hey Bob,..
thanks for your quick reply,..
I dried to repair the Hard Disk,. bi tit did not work. During reparation it indicates my several errors. So,. means my hard drive is broken??
Thanks for any suggestion
thanks for your quick reply,..
I dried to repair the Hard Disk,. bi tit did not work. During reparation it indicates my several errors. So,. means my hard drive is broken??
Thanks for any suggestion
bobw - Nov 16, 2005 - 7:53 am
Matthias
What does 'S.M.A.R.T. Status' say in the Disk Utility window?
What are the errors Disk Utility gave you?
Depending on the errors, DiskWarrior from http://www.alsoft.com may be able to repair the damage.
Let me know.
--------
Bobw - Macosx.com Tech Support
What does 'S.M.A.R.T. Status' say in the Disk Utility window?
What are the errors Disk Utility gave you?
Depending on the errors, DiskWarrior from http://www.alsoft.com may be able to repair the damage.
Let me know.
--------
Bobw - Macosx.com Tech Support
KPHansen - Nov 17, 2005 - 2:31 am
Hello Bob,
finally I could boot again after some tries (deleting HD, etc.) .
S.m.a.r.t. Status says Failing.
Thanks
finally I could boot again after some tries (deleting HD, etc.) .
S.m.a.r.t. Status says Failing.
Thanks
bobw - Nov 17, 2005 - 8:02 am
Matthias
S.M.A.R.T Status telling you it's failing - backup right away, anything you can't replace, files/data, etc.
Replace the drive as soon as possible, it's going bad.
If you have Applecare, the extended warranty, you can have the drive replaced for free.
In any case, don't bother trying to fix the drive with any utility, it won't last, and you'll lose everything on the drive.
--------
Bobw - Macosx.com Tech Support
S.M.A.R.T Status telling you it's failing - backup right away, anything you can't replace, files/data, etc.
Replace the drive as soon as possible, it's going bad.
If you have Applecare, the extended warranty, you can have the drive replaced for free.
In any case, don't bother trying to fix the drive with any utility, it won't last, and you'll lose everything on the drive.
--------
Bobw - Macosx.com Tech Support
KPHansen - Nov 22, 2005 - 9:14 am
Thanks Bob,
so, do you know how much it will cost round about? where I can order, etc. Can I replace myself,... don;t have Apple Care and I am still a student.
Thanks so far
Matthias
so, do you know how much it will cost round about? where I can order, etc. Can I replace myself,... don;t have Apple Care and I am still a student.
Thanks so far
Matthias
bobw - Nov 22, 2005 - 11:48 am
Matthias
This company is good and has most drives availablt that will fir you machine. This page lists these drives;
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-.../2.5-Notebook/
Yes, you can replace it yourself if you want to open the machine.
You can download a service manual here;
http://home.earthlink.net/~strahm_s/manuals.html#pbks
--------
Bobw - Macosx.com Tech Support
This company is good and has most drives availablt that will fir you machine. This page lists these drives;
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-.../2.5-Notebook/
Yes, you can replace it yourself if you want to open the machine.
You can download a service manual here;
http://home.earthlink.net/~strahm_s/manuals.html#pbks
--------
Bobw - Macosx.com Tech Support
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