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Problem installing OS X from disks

Submitted by bigguy on March 20, 2007 - 10:39pm. Unix and Mac OS X

I purchased a 1.33GHz ibook g4 from ebay as a present for my girlfriend after she fell in love with mine (Same model). I wanted to wipe the HD and install a fresh copy of OS X but whn I put the system disk (from my computer) in, it doesn't want to start up from it. Any tips or ideas? I figured since it was the same model that the systems disk should work.

Also, the more I think about it the more I suspect that this laptop may be stolen. Is there anyway to check that or a list of stolen SN's? If it was me, I would love to get my ibook back.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

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Jon's picture

Are you holding 'c' at the st

Submitted by Jon on March 20, 2007 - 10:50pm.

Are you holding 'c' at the startup chime to boot from the CD?

As for the theft idea, I think it's great you are concerned about it. There is no master DB that I know of for this, but there are services that generally have users place a sticker on the item that allows someone to enter a number on the sticker into a website to find the original owner. For an iBook the most common places to look for something like this would be under the keyboard or inside the battery compartment.

» I am not in this world to live up to other people's expectations, nor do I feel that the world must live up to mine. - Fritz Perls

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Yeah I am holding the "c" at

Submitted by bigguy on March 20, 2007 - 11:00pm.

Yeah I am holding the "c" at start up but it doesn't do anything. Called Apple and they said the computer was registered to a school in CA, not an individual and it was manufactured last Sept. That doesn't add up....

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also, there is an area of adh

Submitted by bigguy on March 20, 2007 - 11:03pm.

also, there is an area of adhesive under the keyboard that looks like a sticker was there originally.... hmmm...

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Hardware test

Submitted by bigguy on March 21, 2007 - 12:06am.

So I did a hardware test on the machine and it booted to a screen that had a picture of a locked lock and a section for a password (I assume) and a right arrow key. I have never seen this before.

hmm....

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BDub's picture

OF Password

Submitted by BDub on March 21, 2007 - 12:16am.

It's an open firmware password.

If memory serves, you can unlock the OF by changing the amount of RAM in the machine (either adding or removing a stick).

» "There is going to be a future: let's chase it until it kills us." - Spider Robinson
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Jon's picture

iBooks have a serial number s

Submitted by Jon on March 21, 2007 - 12:22am.

iBooks have a serial number sticker and specs sticker under the keyboard, so I'm guessing the area you are seeing is a different one? On my G3 they are on the edge closest to the screen under the keyboard.

» I am not in this world to live up to other people's expectations, nor do I feel that the world must live up to mine. - Fritz Perls

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bigd's picture

On the right track...

Submitted by bigd on March 21, 2007 - 1:46am.

I think you need to reset the PRAM 3 times after adding the RAM if my memory is correct. This would then force reset the OF password. Try that and see what happens. Hope this helps!

BigD

» "Everyone's destiny is greatness..." - Ben Harper

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That did it!

Submitted by bigguy on March 21, 2007 - 2:08am.

Took out the added RAM and then did the PRAM thing. It's installing right now! Thanks!

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Eudimorphodon's picture

For the record...

Submitted by Eudimorphodon on March 21, 2007 - 3:34pm.

It probably *is* stolen. Nobody sets their Open Firmware password. ;^b

--Peace

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Called Apple again. The tech

Submitted by bigguy on March 21, 2007 - 4:26pm.

Called Apple again. The tech actually told me about a stolen laptop registry. Checked it. Wasn't there (not really surprised). So I got the name of the school in CA and called them up today. They have no record of ever owning that specific iBook. I googled the previous owner, nada. Unsure of what to do really. Should I report this to eBay? Thanks for your help guys.

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