Please help - Mac problem

Try zapping the PRAM, my cure-all for problems:

shut down the computer
keep fingers on command, option, letter P and letter R
start up computer, let it cycle through the "startup" sound three times before releasing your fingers

 

No luck...

 

try shift-option-control
hit the power button
wait five seconds, then release the keys
power button again to restart

 

Nothing again

I really think I'm fcuked here...

 

Going home time, but please if anybody knows anything, continue posting on here and I'll check as often as I can. Thanks again!
-Diabeetus

 

have you simply tried a norton?

 

Call Apple tech support.

 

Before you call (because out-of-warranty, they'll bill you - I think it's $50) go online to Apple support. You may have to do this from work or your neighborhood cyber-cafe. Search things like "ibook start-up." http://search.info.apple.com/index.html?q=ibook+start-up&type=&search=Search&lr=lang_en&search=Go

You may find that what you need to do is disconnect your power cord, and then remove the battery from the computer. Wait a few minutes, then reinstall the battery, reconnect the power cord, and try to reboot.

Or you may need to restart your computer using the start-up disk that came with it.

FIRST, though, go to the Apple support pages and root around for a while. It's free, and it answers almost any question you might have. Having done so, if you're still uncertain, call Apple Care.

Or, locate an Apple/Mac specialist in your area. The Apple stores can be infuriating. Also, CompUSA has an Apple department. Good luck.

 

Link from Mr. MacG's excellent post/advice:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449

 

norton. just buy it and it conducts regular maintenance.

i've owned a mac since the 90s. all those machines never would have stayed running without it.

 

Diabeetus,
I'm pretty sure you're screwed. Same thing happened to me earlier this year. My iBook wouldn't boot and did the same thing you are describing. Luckily it was under applecare. It turned out that my motherboard crashed. The shop I took it to sent it to Apple and I got it back in a few weeks good as new, though it later crashed again, but I went through the same process and now it works fine. I lost the majority of my music and the photos on it, but at least I have a functional computer again. I'm not sure what it would cost w/o applecare. Good luck