09-18-2009, 08:16 PM

Hi guys. I'm a bit of a lurker. I've researched this off and on. My iBook hard drive is pretty much shot.

Preceding this problem:

• iBook started getting super hot right around where the hard drive sits on the casing.
• In an attempt to do a software update for OSX, the software update started initializing. I get the rainbow wheel for a few minutes. Shortly after that, I get a message that the software update program has unexpectedly quit. Try a few times again, same thing. Reboot, try some more, same thing.
• Every so often, computer would freeze. I wouldn't be able to do anything and I would get a distinctive clicking sound from the area around the HDD. After rebooting, I would sometimes get a gray screen with a question mark.
• I ask a few friends and the ones that had that issue said it was a bad HDD and Apple replaced it. Clearly, I'm way outside of warranty.

What happened now:

• Problem seemed to have gone away. Running pretty well and a software update came up and it actually initialized.
• Felt confident and decided to go through with the update. Midway through the update, computer crashed.
• Upon rebooting back into the OS, the computer will go to the main desktop screen, but every program I open crashes. I also get some error messages. I don't remember them, but I would be more than happy to post them if you feel they are relevant.

After doing some research, one guy did a write up who was having the same problem. It had something to do with the wiring going to the HDD. I read it awhile ago. I can no longer find it. Anyone have any input or knowledge around this?

More research is mostly pointing to a bad hard drive. I purchased a new one today. Picked up a 160 GB Western Digital PATA 2.5" 5400 RPM Notebook Hard Drive for $50 brand new.

From what I can tell, this is the correct drive for my computer. I was going to this site for a walkthrough on replacing the drive. Seems thorough enough.

Anyone think it's something other than the drive? Any better ideas? Please let me have some input before I tear this thing apart. I realize this is the time to upgrade to a MBP, but I really want to get all debt paid off before I get myself something nice.

Sorry for being long winded. Thanks in advance guys.

09-18-2009, 09:16 PM

Sounds like a bad drive to me. The swap shouldn't be terribly difficult, even for a novice.

09-18-2009, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

Sounds like a bad drive to me. The swap shouldn't be terribly difficult, even for a novice.

It looks like it won't be too bad if i follow the directions. i would say i'm a novice about computers, but i can follow instructions. i did a screen swap on another one of my iBooks and just kinda winged it with no instructions and i figure this can't be that much harder.

how do i put the new OS onto the drive? just with the boot disks that came with the computer? also, is that definitely the correct HDD?

09-18-2009, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by Dex

It looks like it won't be too bad if i follow the directions. i would say i'm a novice about computers, but i can follow instructions. i did a screen swap on another one of my iBooks and just kinda winged it with no instructions and i figure this can't be that much harder.

It should be easier than the screen.

how do i put the new OS onto the drive? just with the boot disks that came with the computer? also, is that definitely the correct HDD?

Yes. Any 9.5mm PATA HDD should do. And yes, you'll boot from your System Disc 1 and do a fresh install.

09-18-2009, 10:37 PM

If you have not yet started, have a look at this link:-

How to Replace the Hard Drive on a G4 Ibook | eHow.com

09-18-2009, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

It should be easier than the screen.



Yes. Any 9.5mm PATA HDD should do. And yes, you'll boot from your System Disc 1 and do a fresh install.

awesome. thank you. i'm actually more concerned about the software end of this at this point. i can follow directions and turn screws. lol.

Originally Posted by harryb2448

If you have not yet started, have a look at this link:-

How to Replace the Hard Drive on a G4 Ibook | eHow.com

good link. thank you.

09-18-2009, 11:29 PM

just booted up the iBook. here is the error message i'm getting.

APPLICATION LAUNCH FAILURE
The application "Transport Monitor" could not be launched because of a shared library error:
"<Transport Monitor><CarbonLib><CFMPriv_LaunchServices><>"

09-18-2009, 11:34 PM

I don't know what size or rpm speed your drive is. But, a new larger faster drive will make a noticeable difference. I backed my 80 GB, 4200 RPM, drive to a 320GB, 5400 RPM drive and my G4 runs runs a lot faster.

09-18-2009, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by Mudbug

I don't know what size or rpm speed your drive is. But, a new larger faster drive will make a noticeable difference. I backed my 80 GB, 4200 RPM, drive to a 320GB, 5400 RPM drive and my G4 runs runs a lot faster.

haha awesome. i was wondering if it would be faster with the new HDD but i didn't want to sound stupid asking it. lol. thanks.

09-19-2009, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Dex

just booted up the iBook. here is the error message i'm getting.

APPLICATION LAUNCH FAILURE
The application "Transport Monitor" could not be launched because of a shared library error:
"<Transport Monitor><CarbonLib><CFMPriv_LaunchServices><>"

Interesting. And you're booting off the original System Discs that came with the machine?

09-19-2009, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by cwa107

Interesting. And you're booting off the original System Discs that came with the machine?

let me clarify. I was going to do the swap last night but i drank a couple beers while reading and decided to wait until today. i haven't actually swapped the HDD yet, but will be doing it tonight.

i booted up the iBook just so you guys could see the error in case it wasn't the HDD.

after the HDD is installed, i will be booting from the system discs.

09-19-2009, 01:26 PM

good luck with the Hard drive swap. I am not squeamish about cracking open computers but the iBooks are not easy to do.. But don't let that stop you. My suggestion is to lay out a couple of blank sheets of paper with a drawn location of all of the screws. label each one with their location and put them on the paper upside down... This map will make it easier to put it back together. get a cheap set up smal screw drivers and some small torx for the 3 screws on the bottom. my experiance is a cut up credit card to open the case (they are not good any how so you may as well cut them up. at least for me they are). the only really tricky part for me is the cd dvd rom screws .. just follow the directions others have suggested or ifixit.com

Good luck and take a deep breath and dig in .. if its your first time!! take your time it may take 3 hours or more.. depending on your patients.

09-20-2009, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by csegeek

good luck with the Hard drive swap. I am not squeamish about cracking open computers but the iBooks are not easy to do.. But don't let that stop you. My suggestion is to lay out a couple of blank sheets of paper with a drawn location of all of the screws. label each one with their location and put them on the paper upside down... This map will make it easier to put it back together. get a cheap set up smal screw drivers and some small torx for the 3 screws on the bottom. my experiance is a cut up credit card to open the case (they are not good any how so you may as well cut them up. at least for me they are). the only really tricky part for me is the cd dvd rom screws .. just follow the directions others have suggested or ifixit.com

Good luck and take a deep breath and dig in .. if its your first time!! take your time it may take 3 hours or more.. depending on your patients.

i did just that for the most part. i actually grouped screws together as they came out. labeled what they were and what step of the walkthrough they were from. made reassembly much easier.

physical hardware swap was a success. everything came back together smoothly. nothing broke. i was pleased.

all i could find were os 10.4 boot discs. i have no idea what happened to the 10.5 discs i bought. i went to boot off of the os 10.4 disc. going right along and when it said to select the destination which would be the new hard drive, nothing came up. there's nothing to select so i can't install it. any ideas?

09-20-2009, 10:47 PM

Boot from the OSX DVD. Instead of selecting a hard drive look up top for the utilities menu. Select Disk Utility from there. Partition or erase the hard drive in Mac OSX Extended (journalized). Then the drive should show up in the selection menu. If not try restarting.

If the drive does not show up under Disk Utility, let us know.

09-20-2009, 10:47 PM

You'll need to format (erase) the disk first using Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Then the drive will show up.