g4 freezing over and over today

erinanne · 02-16-2010, 12:24 AM

Please help, all day my powerbook g4 10.4.1 is freezing every 30 minutes or so, this has never happened. Already ran applejack, was successful in the sense that it worked, but not enough to keep it from freezing. The last time I noticed that the screen became darker before it froze. Initially it froze on firefox, thinking that it was some add-on I deleted them all and restarted. It happened again. I tried using safari, no dice froze again. HELP PLEASE!!!!
Thanks

hayne · 02-16-2010, 12:34 AM

Recommended steps:

1) Immediately make a backup of all files that you care about. Preferable would be to make a full bootable backup to an external drive - e.g using Carbon Copy Cloner or Super Duper.

2) Even though this seems likely to be a hardware problem, you should update to 10.4.11 using "Software Update" in the Apple menu. Maybe the updated OS will help.

macsolver · 02-16-2010, 05:57 AM

Hi,

Check the SMART status of the hard drive to see it the drive thinks it has a problem. Free download from :

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/32454

This software will give you access to all the error conditions (if any) stored on the Hard Disk's logic board. Easy and quick to do.

Regards,

Nick

appleman_design · 02-16-2010, 06:28 AM

As haynes stated do those steps and report back on your reinstall.

erinanne · 03-01-2010, 04:07 PM

Hey....
Sorry so long before I got back, have not re-installed OSX yet, as I do not have the disc. Did use smart utility and it gave me the sad Yellow "FAILING". Is re-installing OSX going to have a high CHANCE of working, or do you think I should just let her go, take her to a shop and have her looked at? (This may be a good excuse to buy a new PowerBook PRO, though that expense is alittle out of my reach currently)

macsolver · 03-02-2010, 12:13 PM

Hi,

Before doing anything else, I would make sure that I had everything backed up as previously suggested by hayne.

What errors did SMART utility find exactly ? The worst case is a replacement HDD which is relatively easy, but you will need an OSX install disk as the OSX installation on the failing HDD may be damaged already. If you need a disk, get a retail OSX 10.4 or 10.5 install DVD on ebay.

There are manuals and videos you can download which show you how to do install a new HDD:

http://www.ifixit.com/

http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/index.cfm

Regards,

Nick

erinanne · 03-02-2010, 02:45 PM

Smart Utility says I have 1 Relocated bad sector. Time for a new HDD? Seems easy enough to install, but my drive is not always functional. Possible to install through our desktop connected to laptop? What cord do I need and how?

02-16-2010, 12:24 AM	#1
erinanne Prospect Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 3	g4 freezing over and over today Please help, all day my powerbook g4 10.4.1 is freezing every 30 minutes or so, this has never happened. Already ran applejack, was successful in the sense that it worked, but not enough to keep it from freezing. The last time I noticed that the screen became darker before it froze. Initially it froze on firefox, thinking that it was some add-on I deleted them all and restarted. It happened again. I tried using safari, no dice froze again. HELP PLEASE!!!! Thanks

02-16-2010, 12:34 AM	#2
hayne Site Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 31,938	Recommended steps: 1) Immediately make a backup of all files that you care about. Preferable would be to make a full bootable backup to an external drive - e.g using Carbon Copy Cloner or Super Duper. 2) Even though this seems likely to be a hardware problem, you should update to 10.4.11 using "Software Update" in the Apple menu. Maybe the updated OS will help. __________________ hayne.net/macosx.html

02-16-2010, 05:57 AM	#3
macsolver Major Leaguer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Redhill, Surrey, England Posts: 479	SMART Utility Hi, Check the SMART status of the hard drive to see it the drive thinks it has a problem. Free download from : http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/32454 This software will give you access to all the error conditions (if any) stored on the Hard Disk's logic board. Easy and quick to do. Regards, Nick

03-02-2010, 12:13 PM	#6
macsolver Major Leaguer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Redhill, Surrey, England Posts: 479	Back up now ! Hi, Before doing anything else, I would make sure that I had everything backed up as previously suggested by hayne. What errors did SMART utility find exactly ? The worst case is a replacement HDD which is relatively easy, but you will need an OSX install disk as the OSX installation on the failing HDD may be damaged already. If you need a disk, get a retail OSX 10.4 or 10.5 install DVD on ebay. There are manuals and videos you can download which show you how to do install a new HDD: http://www.ifixit.com/ http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/index.cfm Regards, Nick

03-02-2010, 02:45 PM	#7
erinanne Prospect Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 3	Relocated bad sectors Smart Utility says I have 1 Relocated bad sector. Time for a new HDD? Seems easy enough to install, but my drive is not always functional. Possible to install through our desktop connected to laptop? What cord do I need and how?

02-16-2010, 06:28 AM	#4
appleman_design Hall of Famer Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,550	As haynes stated do those steps and report back on your reinstall.

03-01-2010, 04:07 PM	#5
erinanne Prospect Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 3	Hey.... Sorry so long before I got back, have not re-installed OSX yet, as I do not have the disc. Did use smart utility and it gave me the sad Yellow "FAILING". Is re-installing OSX going to have a high CHANCE of working, or do you think I should just let her go, take her to a shop and have her looked at? (This may be a good excuse to buy a new PowerBook PRO, though that expense is alittle out of my reach currently)

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