Member Avatar for Glyptik

Hello All,

I'm a first-timer. I can't figure out what I did to my iBook. I have a first-generation white (G3) iBook running OS 9.2. I was attempting to hook it up to a modem and a wireless router when something went wrong. The following is a description of the problem. If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it!

When I start the computer up it is fine until it loads the desktop. Then the time will load, but the computer freezes at that point, so that there is the desktop background/wallpaper, the grey bar on top with the time and nothing else. If I hold shift down when booting my Mac (to turn off the extensions) it works fine (but I can't use any extensions). I talked to a tech guy and he gave me a hint that it had something to do with archiving or the archive, but I don't know where to go from there.

Again, I would really appreciate any suggestions 'cause I'm low on cash and would like to fix it myself.

Thanks a bunch!!! :confused:

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Dani AI

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Symptoms like the one described—clock and wallpaper appear but the desktop/Finder never finishes loading, yet the machine boots if you hold Shift—point strongly at a system-extension, control-panel, Finder, or disk/prefs corruption rather than pure hardware failure. The technique suggested works; a faster way is a split-half (binary) test to find the offending item.

  1. Boot while holding Shift to disable non‑Apple extensions and get a usable system. (oreilly.com)
  2. While running with extensions off, copy any important documents to external media (CD/USB/FireWire) before you do repairs.
  3. Move all third‑party items out of System Folder/Extensions and System Folder/Control Panels into a temporary folder on the desktop.
  4. Put half of those items back, reboot normally. If it freezes, the culprit is in that half; if not, it’s in the other half—repeat splitting until isolated. This is far quicker than truly one‑by‑one.

Before reinstalling, run Disk First Aid (or the OS 9 equivalent) to check and repair directory errors; file/directory damage often causes Finder freezes. If the disk checks out but Finder or other core files look corrupted, an “Archive & Install” (the Apple tech’s “archive”) will install a fresh System Folder while preserving your user files—usually the safest next step. Backups first, then boot from the OS 9 install media and choose Archive & Install. (en.wikipedia.org)

About the RAM question: ’s brief answer is correct. iBook G3 models use laptop SO‑DIMMs (PC66/PC100/PC133 depending on the exact iBook model), while the PowerPC Mac mini introduced in 2005 uses a full‑size DDR DIMM (PC2700/333MHz desktop DDR). Different pin counts, physical size and memory standards make those modules incompatible—do look up your exact iBook model on a spec site (EveryMac/Apple) before buying RAM. (everymac.com)

If the binary search finds a specific extension or control panel, post its exact name; if Archive & Install doesn’t fix it, note whether you see errors while booting from CD/another Mac—that will narrow whether the problem is software, fonts/prefs, or hardware.

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Member Avatar for alc6379

If working without extensions turned on has an impact, then the best route is to open Extension Manager, and turn extensions on one-by-one. When the system freezes up, you just disable the one that you just turned on. It's an arduous process, but it should turn something up for you.

Member Avatar for Glyptik

alc6379:

I tried turning on the extensions one by one like you suggested and that got some stuff to work, but others wouldn't still, so I still can't figure out what's wrong. Also, I couldn't open AppleWorks or any documents (which I need!!!). Any other suggestions?

Thanks for your help

Member Avatar for Glyptik

I called Apple Canada and a really nice tech guy helped me out without charging me!!! Thanks for your help.

New question: Can I use a 256 meg ram stick from a Mac Mini in my 6-year-old iBook? I have a friend who bought a MacMini but not enough memory and they only have one dimm, so he's gonna sell me his 256 but I don't want it if it won't work. I don't know much about memory, so I'd appreciate your help!

Thanks

Member Avatar for yellow

No you cannot.

Member Avatar for Glyptik

Thanks for the info!!!

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