ibook g4

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i have an old ibook g4 model ID PowerBook 6.5, Power PC G4 (1.2) Boot ROM Version 4.8.7, stuck in bootloop, I have no install CD , no recovery or safe mode, need help, please
 

pigoo3

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Really need to get yourself an install CD/DVD of some sort...so you can boot from something other than the internal HD. I would suggest Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger) or 10.5 (Leopard). Best place to get this is probably eBay.

- Nick
 
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Ive seen a couple on ebay, it doesnt have to be specifically for this ibook does it, or will any mac os x 10.5 install dvd work
, ive been trying to download one off the internet to put on usb flashdrive , with no success
 
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I think its a 2009 model at least thats what it says, it was running os x 10.6 and was having problems with wifi , when wifi connected, safari wouldnt search, when i tried to put it in recover, it somehow downgraded to 10.5, when i shut it down for the night and tried to bootup the next morning it went into bootloop. since then, it wont go into recovery or safe mode anymore, i booted into single user mode and ran fsck -fy and it came back as every ok, ive tried to boot hold option, but no other boot shown, ive tried downloading install disc online and burn to usb flashdrive but not sure if im doin it in right format, ive tried booting from open firmware from usb and just get blank screen with circle and line through, i reset prams and booted in vebrose nothing helps, still stuck in boot loop, if any mac os x 10.5 will work , then ill buy one off ebay, just tryna make sure it doesnt have to be specific for ibook, some ive seen says, mac os x 10.for mini, some for mac book pro etc. just dont wanna buy one and it not work
 
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just dont wanna buy one and it not work


Have you got a good Mac tech in your area that does MB repairs that you could take it to and utilize their talents and resources. I'm sure they could help you out and help you find a fix and solution???


- Patrick
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pigoo3

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Ive seen a couple on ebay, it doesnt have to be specifically for this ibook does it...

What you want is a full retail install disk...NOT a gray-colored install disk. These gray disks shipped with a brand new computer...and are model specific (not useable by any model).

- Nick
 
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It seems they don't have the option and doesn't seem to be available:
[post #1]

Seems a bit odd to me... as it should at least be an option with a cold boot.


- Patrick
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I was thinking that too and it did, until it downgraded to 10.5.8 and now no safe, no recovery
 
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I don't see how it could have downgraded, unless the original owner made a 10.5 recovery partition? The drive sounds like it died, you may need a new internal drive, and Snow Leopard, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple, still only $19.99. As long as it is an intel Mac.
 

chscag

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Let's set some things straight:

If it's an iBook, it's not an Intel machine and can't run anything higher than 10.5.8 (Leopard).

The OP says it had 10.6 on it (Snow Leopard) so it obviously is not an iBook. It's probably an early MacBook (he says 2009).

He's talking about a recovery partition which did not exist for Snow Leopard. First macOS with recovery partition was Lion (10.7.X).

So... OP: Which machine do you have? Click on the Apple menu "About this Mac" and copy the info here for us.
 
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So... OP: Which machine do you have? Click on the Apple menu "About this Mac" and copy the info here for us.


I thought they had already done that, assuming the post #1 was correct.

I just broke my first rule about assuming ... again!!! :Oops: Dang...



- Patrick
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krs


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Let's set some things straight:

If it's an iBook, it's not an Intel machine and can't run anything higher than 10.5.8 (Leopard).

The OP says it had 10.6 on it (Snow Leopard) so it obviously is not an iBook. It's probably an early MacBook (he says 2009).

He's talking about a recovery partition which did not exist for Snow Leopard. First macOS with recovery partition was Lion (10.7.X).

So... OP: Which machine do you have? Click on the Apple menu "About this Mac" and copy the info here for us.

Click on the Apple menu "About this Mac" ????
Sounds to me that the Mac is impossible to boot up - so there is no Apple menu
But the model should be engraved at the bottom of the case if one turns the case over
 

krs


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i have an old ibook g4 model ID PowerBook 6.5, Power PC G4 (1.2) Boot ROM Version 4.8.7, stuck in bootloop, I have no install CD , no recovery or safe mode, need help, please

On 'every mac' I see PowerBooks G4 only going up to "PowerBook 5.9"
So I don't even know which Mac we're talking about.
 
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But the model should be engraved at the bottom of the case if one turns the case over


Yeah... something almost completely useless like Model: A1181 or maybe even a serial number if one is lucky. Then look it up on the 'net!!!


- Patrick
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chscag

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If you look closely at his Post #5 he says conflicting things.... says it's a 2009 model (no iBooks were produced in 2009) and then he says it was running Snow Leopard (not possible on an iBook) and it downgraded to 10.5 (Leopard). ??

All very confusing. I guess we'll have to wait and see if he can boot it up and then tell us what it really is.

No help for now.
 

krs


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I agree - the information is most confusing and conflicting.
But isn't the issue that he cannot boot up? Or the way he puts it "stuck in a boot loop" - I'm not sure what a "boot loop" is.
To me that means the Mac is starting to boot up, then shuts down and boots up again and keeps doing that.

As to running SnowLeopard on an iBook ... maybe there was a 'hack' done to do that and then, when something went wrong, the Mac tried to boot up on the latest legit OS for that model.
Just guessing.

But once the OP confirms the actual model of the Mac, then members here can help.
 
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If it has a removable battery, with the battery removed there is usually a sticker showing at least some of the specs of the Mac.

If only the serial number is provided, there are various sites that will cross reference and provide more details, ie:
Lookup Mac Specs By Serial Number, Order, Model & EMC Number, Model ID @ EveryMac.com

But even this information may be useless to the OP if they can't get online to the internet and read or deal with the comments.



- Patrick
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