[I WAS the One]

I start my iBook G3 800mhz and all I get is a "do not disturb" sign instead of the Apple logo, I tried to start up from my Panther CD and it doesn't work. I have Data Rescue CD, TechTool Pro 4, and Disk Warrior, so, What do I have to do to get it working like always?

Note:
I was installing Panther when I select the erase wiping zeros option when crashed, and after that it begin to show that "do not disturb" sign.

please help, I need to save that machine, now I don't care about the data. just make that iBook heart beat again, please!

thanx

[CharlesS]

If you use the Option key to boot from the CD instead of the C key, what happens?

[I WAS the One]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

If you use the Option key to boot from the CD instead of the C key, what happens?

it shows the CD but when I select it is begun with the Apple logo just for a couple of seconds and then "Boom!" the "Do not disturb" sign appear again!

note:
Also it make a sound like its reading the cd and then that sound stops too...

[CharlesS]

Try Command-Option-Shift-Delete to bypass the internal hard drive altogether. Maybe that will help.

[I WAS the One]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Try Command-Option-Shift-Delete to bypass the internal hard drive altogether. Maybe that will help.

ok, after starting up the iBook and pressing the command-option-shift-delete keystrokes I get a folder with a question mark blinking inside. whats next?

Note:
if I start up the iBook without any CD inside, It shows only a big gray screen with nothing else.

[CharlesS]

Jeez. I know it's a cliché and probably won't help, but since this is a startup issue, you might try zapping the PRAM (command-option-P-R at boot until you hear a second chime) just to try it.

If you start from the CD with the Option key trick, and hold down the Command and V keys immediately after you select the CD to boot from so that it goes into Verbose Mode, is there any error that it hangs on?

[I WAS the One]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Jeez. I know it's a cliché and probably won't help, but since this is a startup issue, you might try zapping the PRAM (command-option-P-R at boot until you hear a second chime) just to try it.

If you start from the CD with the Option key trick, and hold down the Command and V keys immediately after you select the CD to boot from so that it goes into Verbose Mode, is there any error that it hangs on?

I did the PRAM command and nothing happens, when I press the command and V keys I see a black screen with white letters and the last sentences are:

STILL WAITING FOR ROOT DEVICE
IOATACONTROLLER DEVICE BLOCKING BUS.
STILL WAITING FOR ROOT DEVICE
STILL WAITING FOR ROOT DEVICE
STILL WAITING FOR ROOT DEVICE

[I WAS the One]

STILL WAITING FOR ROOT DEVICE
IOATACONTROLLER DEVICE BLOCKING BUS.
STILL WAITING FOR ROOT DEVICE
STILL WAITING FOR ROOT DEVICE
STILL WAITING FOR ROOT DEVICE

What do I have to do?

[CharlesS]

Wow. Well, it seems like the incompletely formatted hard drive is confusing the bootloader or something, but that doesn't explain why command-option-shift-delete didn't get you booted from the CD. Weird.

I suppose you could make sure it gets the hint to boot from the CD by using the Option key to select the CD as the boot device, then hold down Command-Option-Shift-Delete as soon as you select the CD, but that really shouldn't be necessary and it probably won't work if cmd-opt-shift-del didn't. Hmm... at this point I'd probably ask if you have access to another Mac. If you do, I'd put your Mac into target mode, mount it on the other Mac, and reformat that sucker.

[I WAS the One]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Wow. Well, it seems like the incompletely formatted hard drive is confusing the bootloader or something, but that doesn't explain why command-option-shift-delete didn't get you booted from the CD. Weird.

I suppose you could make sure it gets the hint to boot from the CD by using the Option key to select the CD as the boot device, then hold down Command-Option-Shift-Delete as soon as you select the CD, but that really shouldn't be necessary and it probably won't work if cmd-opt-shift-del didn't. Hmm... at this point I'd probably ask if you have access to another Mac. If you do, I'd put your Mac into target mode, mount it on the other Mac, and reformat that sucker.

Well, Good news and bad news, the good news are that I succesfully boot from the CD but the bad news are that when the HD selection for installation appear it doesn't show any hard drive, and when I open the disk utilities and select the drive there, everyytime I press erase it freeze!

any idea of what to do now.?

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by I WAS the One

Well, Good news and bad news, the good news are that I succesfully boot from the CD but the bad news are that when the HD selection for installation appear it doesn't show any hard drive, and when I open the disk utilities and select the drive there, everyytime I press erase it freeze!

any idea of what to do now.?

Wow, it sounds like something's pretty messed up with your hard drive.

If you can boot from either of their respective CDs, does DiskWarrior's S.M.A.R.T. hardware tests or TTP's gamut of hard disk physical tests turn up any hardware problems with the drive? Unfortunately, this is what my guess would be at this point if you can't even reformat...

... of course, I guess it's also possible that it could be something stupid, like the ATA ribbon for the drive coming loose or something.

[I WAS the One]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Wow, it sounds like something's pretty messed up with your hard drive.

If you can boot from either of their respective CDs, does DiskWarrior's S.M.A.R.T. hardware tests or TTP's gamut of hard disk physical tests turn up any hardware problems with the drive? Unfortunately, this is what my guess would be at this point if you can't even reformat...

... of course, I guess it's also possible that it could be something stupid, like the ATA ribbon for the drive coming loose or something.

one word: DAMN!

[I WAS the One]

d/p