Hard Drive not recognized

bcthompson · bcthompson #1 (**permalink**)

04-20-2011, 03:01 PM

Sometimes when the iBook 4G boots up it does not detect the internal hard drive. I get the flashing folder icon and then it looks for another boot drive. I know the hard drive is good. Is this a controller problem and can it be fixed with a part or does it mean the motherboard is bad?

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

04-20-2011, 03:07 PM

How do you know the hard drive is OK? And yes, there could be other things wrong which can cause the same thing to happen, but first suspect is the hard drive. If the logic board is bad, your iBook G4 would be beyond economical repair. In other words, it would be better (less expensive) to replace it.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #3 (**permalink**)

04-20-2011, 06:09 PM

G'day and welcome to the forums.

As chscag says, it could well be a failing hard drive, which often exhibit exactly what you are describing. Also consider replacing the IDE cable as they get brittle from heat and crack, and also logic boards do fail alas. Lot more investigations to do.

bcthompson · bcthompson #4 (**permalink**)

04-20-2011, 06:47 PM

I suspected it was the hard drive and replaced it but the problem remains. I did not replace the cable. I will check it. Thanks for your help.

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,044 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	04-20-2011, 03:07 PM How do you know the hard drive is OK? And yes, there could be other things wrong which can cause the same thing to happen, but first suspect is the hard drive. If the logic board is bad, your iBook G4 would be beyond economical repair. In other words, it would be better (less expensive) to replace it. Community Guidelines
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bcthompson #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 20, 2011 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2 Mac Specs: iBook 4G, iPod Touch, iPhone	04-20-2011, 03:01 PM Sometimes when the iBook 4G boots up it does not detect the internal hard drive. I get the flashing folder icon and then it looks for another boot drive. I know the hard drive is good. Is this a controller problem and can it be fixed with a part or does it mean the motherboard is bad?
	QUOTE Thanks

bcthompson #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 20, 2011 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2 Mac Specs: iBook 4G, iPod Touch, iPhone	04-20-2011, 06:47 PM I suspected it was the hard drive and replaced it but the problem remains. I did not replace the cable. I will check it. Thanks for your help.
	QUOTE Thanks

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