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gilman · Jul 9, 2005, 07:23 AM

Hey everyone, I have this returning problem with my hard drive. Last time it kinda fixed itself somehow, but now it hasnt, yet. I have a powerbook G4 1ghz with panther on it. I tried the disk utility, but that didnt help, and it says the drive isnt mounted. I tried safe mode and it didnt start, and i tried singel-user, it didnt start either. All i get everytime, unless i boot from the cd, is the gray screen with the apple. any ideas?

amazing · Jul 9, 2005, 10:56 AM

It sounds like the HD is dead, especially since you've had previous problems. I trust you started backing up regularly after the first warning?

Are you still under applecare? If so, that's the way to go, since the HD would be covered. Replacing the HD yourself is an option if you don't have applecare. Which PB do you have (above description needs to be clarified.)

Do you have an external firewire HD, or can you borrow one? Will it startup from that HD? You could try DiskWarrior, but it's a longshot (however, longshots sometimes are worth pursuing?)

http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/

gilman · Jul 9, 2005, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by amazing

It sounds like the HD is dead, especially since you've had previous problems. I trust you started backing up regularly after the first warning?

Are you still under applecare? If so, that's the way to go, since the HD would be covered. Replacing the HD yourself is an option if you don't have applecare. Which PB do you have (above description needs to be clarified.)

Do you have an external firewire HD, or can you borrow one? Will it startup from that HD? You could try DiskWarrior, but it's a longshot (however, longshots sometimes are worth pursuing?)

http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/

Alright thanks, ill try the external hard drive and diskwarrior. About the powerbook, im not sure what its called, platinum i think, not the latest one and its a 15". And about backing up, i'm a fool and old habits die hard, i did make back ups then though. Thanks again.

amazing · Jul 9, 2005, 09:50 PM

Well, if it is a Titanium, then replacing the HD is as easy as 1-2-3. There are tons of instructions online, both from Apple's support site and from xlr8yourmac.com and you'll enjoy having a new HD.

You might just also buy a cheap firewire-400 case to put the old HD in. Ya just never know, it might resurrect itself.

gilman · Jul 10, 2005, 02:13 AM

Originally Posted by amazing

Well, if it is a Titanium, then replacing the HD is as easy as 1-2-3. There are tons of instructions online, both from Apple's support site and from xlr8yourmac.com and you'll enjoy having a new HD.

You might just also buy a cheap firewire-400 case to put the old HD in. Ya just never know, it might resurrect itself.

Thanks a lot man, I'll try it out. I have anotehr question though, since you brought the HD enclosure up, are the data and power connections the same for laptop and desktop hard drives, or will i need a different HD enclosure?

bighead · Jul 10, 2005, 10:34 AM

As I advise with anyone who has an issue like this, if you've ever run anything like LimeWire, Poisoned, or Acquisition, it is likely that the hard disk is not mechanically or electrically failing. Most of the time, those programs create directory corruption that eventually causes damage to system AND user files. Sometimes things like iPhoto start acting futzy, other times the OS refuses to load.

The first thing to do is to run something like Diskwarrior to try to fix the directory. If the drive fails the SMART diagnostic, or if DW says "Speed inhibited due to disk malfunction" your hard disk will likely need to be replaced. If neither error shows up, try to back up the data and proceed to zero the hard disk. Afterwards, a clean install without any of those previously mentioned programs will ensure proper function.

On rare occasions, I've seen the corruption recur without running questionable programs. In those cases, replacing the hard disk did solve the issue. That has not been the case with the majority of computers I've seen, however.

gilman · Jul 12, 2005, 02:20 AM

Originally Posted by bighead

As I advise with anyone who has an issue like this, if you've ever run anything like LimeWire, Poisoned, or Acquisition, it is likely that the hard disk is not mechanically or electrically failing. Most of the time, those programs create directory corruption that eventually causes damage to system AND user files. Sometimes things like iPhoto start acting futzy, other times the OS refuses to load.

The first thing to do is to run something like Diskwarrior to try to fix the directory. If the drive fails the SMART diagnostic, or if DW says "Speed inhibited due to disk malfunction" your hard disk will likely need to be replaced. If neither error shows up, try to back up the data and proceed to zero the hard disk. Afterwards, a clean install without any of those previously mentioned programs will ensure proper function.

On rare occasions, I've seen the corruption recur without running questionable programs. In those cases, replacing the hard disk did solve the issue. That has not been the case with the majority of computers I've seen, however.

Thank you, I have booted from an external HD and i ran DW on the damaged one. As you said i got that "speed inhibited...". I am also trying another program, data rescue X, i dont know if it makes any difference in the end which program you use. But in most cases it manages to recover the older files rather than the newer ones (which are the ones that matter), but that only makes sense i guess.

In any case since i'm going to replace my HD, is there any limit to the kind of HD my powerbook can use? (the older powerbook G4 titanium 15", right now with 60GB).
If i buy a 100GB 5400rpm HD would it work?

bighead · Jul 12, 2005, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by gilman

In any case since i'm going to replace my HD, is there any limit to the kind of HD my powerbook can use? (the older powerbook G4 titanium 15", right now with 60GB).
If i buy a 100GB 5400rpm HD would it work?

Yup, I know of a lot of people who use them in their Pismos. The only problem will be when 2.5" drive manufacturers make drives in excess of 128GB, and those without LBA support will have to stick with drives smaller than that. Rest assured, though, that those 100GB drives will work in your TiBook.