iBook G3 500MHz Questions

[wardsenatorfe92]

OK: Update.

I tried resetting the PRAM. Nothing. Wouldn't boot in safe mode either.

I booted from Verbose mode. I got the following (it hangs here):

ATIRage128: Using AGP

AirportFirmware: start Sta f/w download

disk0s2: I/O Error.

Workaround Bonjour: Unknown error: 0

disk0s2: I/O Error.

disk0s2: I/O Error.

disk0s2: I/O Error.

disk0s2: I/O Error.

disk0s2: I/O Error.

Any ideas? Remember, everything passed the Apple Hardware Test.

 

[mcdermd]

disk0 is going to be the hard drive. You're getting hard drive errors there. You may want to boot it into firewire target mode and do a surface scan on the disk from another computer.

 

[wardsenatorfe92]

disk0 is going to be the hard drive. You're getting hard drive errors there. You may want to boot it into firewire target mode and do a surface scan on the disk from another computer.

I was afraid of that. What I don't understand is why it doesn't seem to experience problems until I install the 10.4.11 update, it normally installed 10.4 just fine from the DVD (except for the last time I installed it after zeroing out the HDD, it gave me a different kernel panic and popped up the message "you need to restart your computer". I guess its as expected because the hard drive is probably 10+ years old, but still annoying because I just got finished disassembling the entire machine just to put a "working" hard drive back in it.

I tried zeroing out the disk to repair any bad sectors and it still read SMART status as "Verified", even after the kernel panics. I just don't understand why these problems never occurred until now, i was running OS 9.2/10.1 on it until about a week ago (although minimal usage).

I guess I'll need to locate another hard drive, then. Seems like this iBook is turning into a money pit. xx(

(also need to get a f/w cable so I can start utilizing target disk mode)

 

[wardsenatorfe92]

Finally.... MISSION COMPLETED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got a 80GB 5400RPM HDD today to replace the problematic 10GB HDD in the iBook. After spending all afternoon taking the HDD out and putting the new one in, I'm proud to report that the machine is up and running like a charm! Hasn't skipped a beat yet, already have 10.4.11 on it (all updates) and 9.2.2. Awesome!

The only thing I'm noticing is the machine being a little sluggish due to it only having 320MB RAM. I guess I'll have to look into a 512MB stick now... still can't believe I got it working! (only took me, two years?)

Any suggestions for my next project? }