# PowerBook G4 won't start **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 22, 2012, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powerbook-g4-wont-start/644874 "2012-12-22T22:34:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powerbook-g4-wont-start/644874/21 "2012-12-23T18:54:24Z")
I don’t have a readily-available external monitor. I tried the PMU reset. I’m not sure I see the black-on-black Apple logo now. I think at this stage I should probably just take it to the Apple shop tomorrow. As far as it not being worth repairing, I use my computer for work. Before, I used my PowerBook G4. If it failed (e.g., the keyboard has failed twice since 2005) I used my 2001 iMac Indigo G3. It does the job, and it’s not _too_ buried. But in case my MacBook Pro decides not to work, I’d like to have the PowerBook as a backup and not have to use the G3 unless I really have to since that one is a desktop. Again, for traveling I think I’ll get an iPad. It’s about time I had one. My iPod can do browsing, but it’s a bit small to be really practical. An iPad would give me a good-sized screen and be much lighter than hauling around my ‘stunt computer’. ---
**Author:** ![Cleophus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@Cleophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleophus)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powerbook-g4-wont-start/644874/22 "2012-12-23T18:59:24Z")
The optical drive will accept a disc any time the computer is on. It is not dependent on the OS. Boot the computer, and insert the disc while holding down the C key. You will hear the drive spin up and make read noises as it boots from the disc. It does take longer to boot from a CD than from the hard drive, so be patient. Ejecting the disc can be performed with the eject key on the keyboard or by holding the trackpad button as the computer is turned on and continuing to hold it until the disc is ejected. ---
**Author:** ![Cleophus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@Cleophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleophus)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powerbook-g4-wont-start/644874/23 "2012-12-23T19:05:29Z")
Another thing you can do if you have another Firewire-capable Mac is use Target Disk Mode to check the PowerBook’s hard disk and back up data. Starting with the PowerBook off, hold down the T key and turn it on. Continue holding the T key for a few seconds. The screen will show a Firewire logo moving across the display. Connect the PowerBook to the other Mac with the Firewire cable, and the disk will appear as an external hard drive on the other Mac. Open up Disk Utility and use it to verify and repair the PowerBook’s hard drive. Also take the time to back up the contents of the PowerBook in case the boot issue is caused by a disk failure or a corrupted filesystem requiring a reformat. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powerbook-g4-wont-start/644874/24 "2012-12-25T00:40:15Z")
I took it down to the Apple dealer today. The service guy said it might be the hard drive. They’ll check it out, install a new hard drive if necessary (they had one to fit a PowerBook G4), and I’ll have it back around the end of the week. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powerbook-g4-wont-start/644874/25 "2012-12-27T02:32:43Z")
Turns out the hard drive died. All data lost. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powerbook-g4-wont-start/644874/26 "2012-12-27T03:58:12Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Turns out the hard drive died. All data lost. I’ll bet that isn’t true. If you want, I can try to recover it for you. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powerbook-g4-wont-start/644874/27 "2012-12-27T14:09:18Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I’ll bet that isn’t true. > If you want, I can try to recover it for you. The guy said that when he tried to recover, the drive seized. I’ll see if I can get the old drive back. It would be nice to not lose my photos and documents. ---
**Author:** ![Blakeyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powerbook-g4-wont-start/644874/28 "2012-12-27T23:31:17Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > The guy said that when he tried to recover, the drive seized. I’ll see if I can get the old drive back. It would be nice to not lose my photos and documents. For a 2005 hard drive to last into 2012 at all is a miracle. I hope you have recent back-ups. Next thing you buy with a hard drive in it, don’t trust it for a second. Hard drives are nasty critters just itching to lose all of your data at the slightest provocation. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2012, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powerbook-g4-wont-start/644874/29 "2012-12-28T01:33:41Z")
My computer is ready to be picked up. (I’ll get it Saturday.) They were able to get the drive running for a short period, and loaded my documents and pics onto the new drive. Also the A-songs from iTunes. (My songs are already on my MacBook.) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powerbook-g4-wont-start/644874/30 "2012-12-28T14:54:02Z")
> [@Blakeyrat](#): > > For a 2005 hard drive to last into 2012 at all is a miracle. I hope you have recent back-ups. But… But Apple hardware is supposed to be _magical!_😕 :sad: Alas, I’m _terrible_ about backing things up. Usually my ‘backups’ are made by sending files to different email addresses. :rolleyes: I do have an Apple external drive around here somewhere, which I used to store video files I was working on back in 2005. It’s barely been used. I should dig it out. Even though it’s seven years old, if it still works it’s better than nothing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powerbook-g4-wont-start/644874.md?page=1)