Hi everyone. I'm new to forums so I apologize in advance, in case I do anything wrong.
I have a problem which might look similar to many other postings, but it's not (I guess).
My Pismo used to work well (10.4.2 is the OS). Recently, the Hard Drive apparently died. I get the chimes, screen powers up (doesn't show the apple), hard drive doesn't spin.
Tried restarting from the OS-DVD: I get the apple logo, but no spinning wheel and after 30 seconds the DVD drive stops spinning.
So I read all I can online. reset-nvram and reset-all booting Open Firmware. Hard reset with the button behind the machine. No result.
I open the Powerbook, try re-sitting the processor. Still nothing.
I happen to have 4 HD cables, try them all, nothing happens.
I disconnect the Hard Drive and use it with an external USB HD-Case. Miracle: everything works again. So I think I solved the problem. Wrong.
After disconnecting the HD from the external USB case and reconnecting it internally, same story: disk doesn't spin.
Another attempt: HD placed in the USB case, and another HD (with a valid OS) connected internally. It doesn't work (chimes, screen ok, but nothing happens).
Tried disconnecting the keyboard. No result.
The fact that the Powerbook works normally if the HD is connected externally leads me to believe that:
- the hard drive is ok
- processor and motherboard are also ok
- HD cable is also ok since I successfully used it in a different Powerbook
I'm afraid the HD connector on the motherboard may be damaged, but what do you guys think? Is there anything else I could try? And can a stupid defective HD connector block everything? Am I going to need a replacement for the motherboard? *sigh sob*
Thank you in advance for any contribution.
Have you tried disconnecting the pram battery, or just resetting the pram?
Have you tried disconnecting the pram battery, or just resetting the pram? My pismo wouldnt start, and disconnecting the pram battery made it start right up. I know its not the same problem, but it might workk.
Hi. Reading my first post, I noticed I forgot to mention the PRAM issue. Yes, tried that already.
is the hdd's jumpers set right if there is any jumpers on the hdd have you tryed to restore the open firmware to the defaults and the n zapping pram. go to open firmware and type in init-nvram or reset-nvram press enter witch ever gives you the ok then set-defaults press enter then reset-all press enter it will reboot the system and hold the cmd-option-p-r keys to reset the pram hold threw 2-3 startup sounds
hi madmax and thanks for your contribution.
I have already tried those solutions, without any result. I don't see any jumpers on the hdd, but I must add that the hdd used to work without problems before... yes, before what? I don't know what changed the "mood" of the hd
Thanks anyways