Problems with PowerBook G4 15in

[MartinAustin]

So I got me a 15in G4 PowerBook (model A1138) from eBay. As this is my first Mac in a LOOOONG time, I wanted a fresh start.

So I booted the thing up, popped in my OS X Tiger Install DVD, and held the "C" key to load from the optical drive. The first thing I notice, which I thought odd given that it's a notebook, is that it flashed a graphic of what I could only assume is a Mac Mouse, showing me how to put batteries in it.

It just sits there for a while. After a touch, I figure I'll try to hook up a mouse and see what happens. I hook up my Logitech wireless, and the instructions disappear, replaced by a language selection screen. And then it dies. Just freezes. Can't move the cursor, use the keyboard, eject the DVD, turn on CAPSlock; nothing.

If I turn it on without holding "C", it gets about 15% loading Mac OS X, then freezes, just like the install portion.

Anyone have any idea what is going on? I'm really getting frustrated here. And can we please hold the "that's what you get, buying used" comments to a minimum? I understood the risk, and just want to move forward and fix the issue.

Thanks! Hopefully this switcher will be happy sooner rather than later!

 

[Flip2gig]

Try booting up the CD by holding the "alt option" key at start up. There might be another partition on the hard drive that you might be able to get into also.

I think holding the shift key during startup will launch OSX in "safe mode"? Maybe that will help.

Best luck with a used computer, I bought my powerbook off eBay almost 2 years ago and still no problems (knock on wood!)

My girlfriends 12" PB, also via eBay, has weird issues with repairing disc permissions. It will get 75% through and display an error regarding file allocations or something. I tried deleting older versions of iTunes and the Chess application from input from others on message boards, but it still never repairs correctly. The computer run's fine otherwise, weird stuff.