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Grotto · Jan 23, 2006, 09:04 PM

My daughter's cat spilled water on her Ibook G4. Now the computer starts and flashes the icon with a folder and "?". I was told to use the CD to reinstall the software but when I try,
when it gets to the "chose a partition" part, there is nothing.

Therefore I cannot reinstall the OS.

Any ideas? Can it still be salvage?

Thank you.

Gamoe · Jan 23, 2006, 10:39 PM

Hello Grotto,

Sorry about your situation. If the Mac is starting with a question mark and stalling there, it means it can't find a system folder, that is, an OS to boot from. (Re-)Installing the system would therefore seem like the solution (although be aware that you will lose all your data in the process!).

However, seeing as everythng was working before the water was spilled maybe something was damaged in the process (between the CPU and the hard drive) to cause this error. Where was the water spilled and how much was spilled? Have you tried taking out the keyboard and letting the water dry out?

Grotto · Jan 24, 2006, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

Hello Grotto,

Sorry about your situation. If the Mac is starting with a question mark and stalling there, it means it can't find a system folder, that is, an OS to boot from. (Re-)Installing the system would therefore seem like the solution (although be aware that you will lose all your data in the process!).

However, seeing as everythng was working before the water was spilled maybe something was damaged in the process (between the CPU and the hard drive) to cause this error. Where was the water spilled and how much was spilled? Have you tried taking out the keyboard and letting the water dry out?

This is the first thing I did. I have tried to reinstall the system from the CD, but it cannot see the hard drive.

I guess I will have to take it to a repair shop.

Grotto · Jan 24, 2006, 09:47 AM

I just did a hardware test and it does not show anything wrong?

amazing · Jan 24, 2006, 10:43 AM

Let's pretend for a moment that water wasn't involved, and in any case it won't hurt to try the following:

My experience with the flashing ?-mark is that a safe-boot sometimes cures it. Immediately after the startup bong, hold down the shift-key and continue holding it for perhaps 3-5 minutes until (if there's no water damage) the login screen appears requiring user name and password. If this works, then go to sys prefs and use the startup disk panel to reselect the HD and then restart.

Also, try to reset the PRAM:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

basically, you hold down command-option-P-R during at least 4-6 restart bongs, then release.

Next, what happens when you hold down command-s during a restart? Can you run "fsck -fy?" Does it see the HD?

Here's a doc about the flashing question mark during startup:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58042

As for taking it to a repair shop, hold old is the iBook? Because if it's too old, it might not be wise to stick extra money into it, but I suppose you can always get an estimate...

Grotto · Jan 24, 2006, 02:43 PM

Thank you again. I did all of the above but it didn't work. It is only a little over one year old so I took it to a repair shop. We will see what they say but I already had to pay $89 just for them to see what is wrong.

f1000 · Jan 24, 2006, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Grotto

Any ideas? Can it still be salvage?

Did you even bother to wait for the iBook to dry? If I were you, I'd have taken it apart, dried all the components by hand, and then let the parts sit for a week before reassembling them.

My guess is that water got into the HD connector and needs to be dried out. Anyway, good luck with the repairs.

Gamoe · Jan 24, 2006, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by Grotto

We will see what they say but I already had to pay $89 just for them to see what is wrong.

Oooh, that sounds pretty steep just for a look. If I were in your place I would have waited a while, too and let it dry out. But, anyway good luck on the repairs. Hopefully it'll all turn out fine and you won't have to shell out too much more.

Grotto · Jan 24, 2006, 09:10 PM

Hope so. Thank you though.

Grotto · Jan 25, 2006, 03:03 PM

The verdict is in. I need a new hard drive. They want $220 installed, which I think is outrageous considering that Compusa is only $150.

bourgeoisie · Jan 25, 2006, 04:42 PM

seems like you lucked out pretty well considering it could have been much worse, glad to hear your whole system isn't fried

rparke1 · Jan 25, 2006, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by Grotto

The verdict is in. I need a new hard drive. They want $220 installed, which I think is outrageous considering that Compusa is only $150.

150 at comp usa? it only cost me 100 for a harddrive replacement and no looking fee at compusa. this was about, oooo, 1 1/2 years ago though, so maybe prices went up since

f1000 · Jan 25, 2006, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by Grotto

The verdict is in. I need a new hard drive. They want $220 installed, which I think is outrageous considering that Compusa is only $150.

Take the computer back and let it dry for awhile. I doubt that the data on the HD is bad, but the controller board might be damaged. You can buy used controller boards from eBay. If the data isn't important to you, then just get a new HD.

I don't know who you took the iBook to, but I know that Apple gouges on HD repairs. It is much cheaper to do a HD upgrade yourself if you've got the time to spare.

If you need the computer urgently, you can replace the drive now and let the old one dry. After the old drive has had a chance to dry, you can put it into an external case. Again, if the drive doesn't work, consider replacing its controller board.

Grotto · Jan 25, 2006, 06:18 PM

I was thinking to install the drive myself but after I read the tutorial I figured that an extra $50 is worth it.

Gamoe · Jan 25, 2006, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by Grotto

I was thinking to install the drive myself but after I read the tutorial I figured that an extra $50 is worth it.

Well, here's my own experience replacing my iBook's hard drive: http://gamoe.net/Notebook/index.php?itemid=44