Hi all,
First of all I should note that I have no idea about computers and how they actually work, so any response will have to be jargon-free if I am to understand what it is I should do....this is my problem and I hope that someone can help...
While using my iBook (OSX 10.3) recently the screen just froze and it refused to do anything. I tried to 'force quit' the two or three programmes running but it did not respond. Then i tried to restart it but it would not let me do this either. Eventually, after getting quite frustrated, I just switched it off. Afterwards, however, when I tried to switch it on again, it would not get past the start-up screen (grey, with the apple, and a small circle below, with the circulating light). I have left it for a hour or so like this, but it doesn't ever get to the proper screen with the applications etc.
It may be relevant to note that at this point I had not switched off the iBook for about 8 weeks solid. It has/had about 20gigs of music on iTunes and a fair few photos on iPhoto. But I don't think that i did anything/installed anything to make this happen.
I think that I need to reinstall the software, but I am worried that if I do this without backing up my files or transfering them somewhere I will loose them. This would be quite a serious problem as a year's worth of essays is on the computer (and stupidly not backed up anywhere else) as well as a lovingly put together music collection on iTunes. The manual says that i should use the FireWire Disc Mode to transfer files to another computer. How do i do this? Does the other computer have to be a Mac as well?
Is this something that I can deal wit myself (helped by your guidance obviously)? Or should I take it to a repair shop? I really can't afford to risk losing the files, but would obviously prefer to fix it at home...
Any help will be very gratefully received. I live in rural England and no one I know knows anything about Macs....
Best regards,
Marsha
p.s. apologies if i am posting this in the incorrect forum. redirect me if necessary.
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