[Budlange]

Symptoms: When this computer is started up, holding Cmd-Opt-O-F keys down, the gong is heard, and then nothing further happens. The screen stays dark.

Related symptoms: When this computer is started up, the screen stays dark. It does not light up and it does not show the silver apple. The screen remains dark until the progress bar screen appears. Very shortly thereafter the desktop appears.

Other than this weird startup, the computer seems to work just fine.

I verified that open firmware is, in fact, accessed holding Cmd-Opt-O-F keys down, even though the screen fails to light up. After waiting a reasonable period of time after hearing the gong, I typed (with the screen dark) "reset-nvram" and pressed enter, then typed "reset-all" and pressed enter. Within a short time, the progress bar screen appeared followed by the desktop.

This computer had either been dropped or had suffered some sort of hard impact, as when my sister brought it to me, and I tried to start it up, I noticed that the screen was broken internally. My niece claims ignorance with regard to any catastrophic event happening. "It just stopped working." I noticed the odd startup behavior after I replaced the screen. I have tentatively concluded that there was also some system board damage, considering the way it starts up. Although the computer is still usable, and I haven't found any other issues (so far), I'm hoping that someone either has a solution that does not involve replacing the main board, or , at least, can offer a more enlightened explanation as to why the screen fails to light up prior to the appearance of the progress bar screen.

Thanks to all who read this and choose to respond.

[rab777hp]

Have you tried verifying your disk? In Applications/Utilities, open Disk Utility- select your disk, then click verify disk, it will tell you if somethings wrong.

What OS version are you running?

[Budlange]

Thanks for the reply.

Actually, right after I replaced the screen (so I could see what I was doing with preventative maintenance), I performed all of the available Disk Utility and Disk Warrior routines. I did this while running from an external hard drive with system 10.4. The symptoms were the same when booting from the external hard drive, which is consistent with the fact that the initial gray screen with the metallic apple logo, which is the first visual normally seen after the startup, is generated from the firmware located on the system board. What is on the hard drive (it checked out fine) including the operating system is not involved in the initial activity of the screen.

[rab777hp]

You could very easily check that it is or isn't a software problem by reinstalling the OS. If you did this it would allow you to know for sure it's a hardware problem, although it may be a bit of a hassle. I'd suggest the archive and install option, so that you keep all your files- unless you are running 10.5, in which case I'd suggest using your external HD for a Time Machine backup and then restoring from that.
If its hardware it may be a bad video card maybe, or logic board.

[Budlange]

Any software problem would have shown up when I ran the computer from the external hard drive, which had a fresh install of 10.4 with all updates. Again, this screen comes from firmware, not software.

[rab777hp]

So you booted it from the external HD and had the same problems? Then it must be a hardware problem, and someone must have physical access to your computer, take it to an apple store and they can fix whatever hardware problem it is.

[Budlange]

Firmware = Hardware

This is not a major problem, as other than not being able to "see" any of the open firmware command lines, the computer functions normally. If the firmware can be updated or refreshed somehow, then it turns out to be a inexpensive problem. I suspect that the same impact that damaged the screen, damaged the logic board. The firmware chip is on the logic board. If there is physical damage, taking it to the Apple store would not be an economic option. The logic board or system board would have to be replaced. A used (refurbished = repaired (by replacing various chip through micro-soldering) logic board costs at least $370.00. I suspect that Apple's price would be significantly higher. And then there's the labor charge. I don't know what the warranty is on the logic board. The computer would only worth at most $600, even after the replacement of the logic board.

So what I'm looking for is a solution that doesn't require replacing the logic board. If there is no other solution, then my niece will have to be fine with the new screen, assuming that, later on, the logic board does not develop any other issues that debilitate the operation of the IBook.

Thank you for you interest and effort.

[rab777hp]

The point is: if something's broken, the only way to fix it is to fix it, if component 'a' needs to be replaced, then there's no alternative- somethings are just expensive, the only real solution is to take it in.
Even if you take it in though, that just means they look at it, you don't have to pay them for a diagnosis, if it's a part you can replace yourself for cheaper, then do that. Though sometimes they replace things for free, they replaced a macbook HD for me for free that wasn't under warrenty (however, you have an iBook, so I doubt they keep those parts in stock)

[Budlange]

Point well taken. If, indeed, I am forced to take further action, if the logic board fails, I will look for a used IBook 1.42 that has issues other than the logic board. There is one listed on ebay that I could by for less than $200 that probably needs just a new battery ($44.00). A few months ago, I purchased a 12 inch powerbook G4 1.6? for $200 from craigslist. It needed only a hard drive and a battery (total including a 250 Gb hard drive was about $120). Since the Ibook otherwise functions fine, it will be now used by my sister (mom of my niece), since her dad is going to get her a new macbook.