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mjames · Nov 13, 2004, 10:32 PM

Aluminum Powerbook G4 1.25 Ghz/512 MB RAM (ordered Feb. 2004), latest version of Panther

I don't know if my problem is a hardware or software one. The morning started normally. I had a bunch of apps open, and when I went to open Photoshop, it kept crashing -- about three tries to open it failed, I had to force quit each time. After I gave up on that, I noticed the computer was slow and my other open apps started crashing, requiring me to force quit them, one by one. I've noticed my computer becoming a bit sluggish in doing simple things like opening a menu, it would have to pause and displayed the spinning rainbow cursor.

At about this time, I started hearing intermittent clicking from somewhere under the keyboard, and later, some chirps or beeps. This is when I became quite alarmed. I tried to get everything closed so I could restart, but it was so slow and unresponsive that I couldn't. I had everything closed, was hearing these clicking noises, not really loud, but noticeable, and I had the spinning rainbow cursor. Because I couldn't click any menus, I held the power button and forced a shutdown.

When I turned it back on, I got to the gray screen with the logo and spinning cursor like normal, but it simply doesn't do anything. I do recall it once getting to the blue screen after like 20-30 minutes, but it was blank and had the spinning cursor. Other times, it goes to a black screen with a white cursor, that's it.

To top it off, I'm away at college and don't have the restore disks or anything, so Apple can't help me (I tried them). I'll have to wait for them in the mail if I can't find someone else with them. There's no Apple Store in KY, either, and CompUSA (yes, I wasted time there, as well) wanted to charge me an arm and a leg and keep my computer for multiple days, and wasn't helpful in trying to get me the restore disk, even after I offered to buy it. No way in hell I'm leaving my computer for days on end there, I have confidential info on it and a business I run off this machine. In many ways, it's my *livelihood*.

Can anyone give me some advice? Is my HD dying/dead? RAM become faulty? Could my OS simply be corrupted and the restore disk could fix it? And any ideas where to get a restore disk? Otherwise, I'll be waiting until Tuesday for the disks. Is the diagnostic test on the restore DVD, or is it a separate one?

Wiskedjak · Nov 13, 2004, 10:41 PM

There are only two mechanisms in your powerbook that should be moving and could produce a clicking sound; your optical drive and your hard drive. If you weren't using your optical drive at the time, it seems pretty conclusive to me that your HD is toast. Clicking sounds and HDs are generally not a very good thing. I suspect your HD is physically damaged and restore disks won't do any good. Since it's still under warranty, I would insist that Apple RMA it, regardless of restore disks.

mjames · Nov 13, 2004, 10:49 PM

I am under warranty, and bought AppleCare. I am not hearing clicking noises anymore, the only time I heard them was when the OS started crashing, all the apps, for the most part. I guess if it's already dead, it would make sense I'm not hearing any noises, though. Are there any noises I should listen for in boot up to tell me if my HD is toast or not? I'm seeing the gray logo screen now. It would make sense that it would be stuck at that if there is no HD for it to read.

Assuming my HD is dead, is there anyway Apple can recover data off it? Another company? How long, in general, will it take to get it replaced and back?

Talk about a nightmare. This is beyond belief.

ibook_steve · Nov 14, 2004, 12:17 AM

If you can get to the OS, back up everything you need now! Do not pass go. Do not collect $100. Just because it is not clicking now doesn't mean that it is OK. And if you can do the backup, it is always preferred over having service do it.

Steve

Commodus · Nov 14, 2004, 10:12 AM

I had a weird problem with my old TiBook where it kept crashing sooner and sooner, until I had trouble even booting. There weren't any clicking noises - that's the one thing that prevents me from making an absolute claim - but in that case, it turned out that the RAM in the PowerBook was failing. Getting a replacement fixed it right away.

If you have more than one stick of RAM, try removing one at a time to see what happens. If you have one stick of RAM, it would be hard to tell for sure without having convenient (and cheap!) access to a replacement.

If the memory test isn't an option or doesn't show any difference, then I'd be inclined to think that it's the HD.