[macintologist]

This is from an email I got from a friend

i want to ask u a question about my powerbook!! i was updating some of my software by going to software update and when it said to restart my computer i did so and now it does not want to start up!!! the only thing it does is open a blue page with the apple logo in the center but it does not start up! thats it!!

I don't know what to say, I've never heard of this problem before

He has a 12" PB I'm pretty sure it's the Rev D one, 1.5Ghz version.

[iCol]

I presume you have tried all the normal avenues?

Resetting the PRAM (start up while holding option+apple+p+r, 3 bongs, release)
Start up from the Mac OS X CD (hold 'c' while starting up with the disk in the drive) and go through the Apple Hardware Test
Removing any third party installed RAM and trying to boot, the RAM could be faulty

[macintologist]

bump....

[tigas]

"blue page"? There never was a blue page, unless you're

a) trying to boot from a OS9 installation (won't work with THAT Powerbook)

b) you're really looking at the Open Firmware boot selector, in which case you must choose one of the hard disks (preferably one with an "X" on it) and press the button with the arrow to the right (it means "Go", you know?)

[macintologist]

I think he's talking about the grey page with the Apple logo. Don't know why we said blue.

[amazing]

Originally Posted by macintologist

I think he's talking about the grey page with the Apple logo. Don't know why we said blue.

Tell your friend to startup in "safe mode" by holding down the shift key right after the startup bong. You have to continue to hold the shift key until you see the login screen, some 3-5 minutes, and the login screen will say "safe boot" in red font.

Safe boot does diagnostics and repairs as it starts up, and disables things like network access, startup items, etc. In other words, he'll want to do an immediate restart.