Apple screen problem.

isofa

^ Highly unlikely, unless you've installed a pirated copy of photoshop or a similar app, one of the most reported ways to get infected. Or visited a suspect website, ignored warnings and given permission to install something you don't understand.

The behaviour you are experiencing is far more likely to be a hardware fault.

almillar

Sounds like a graphics fault, probably to do with the logic board (PC users - motherboard). Some G4s had problems with logic boards but I think the replacement programme would long have ended by now. Are you sure of how to get the external display working?
Having said that, there doesn't seem to be a problem with the screen.
This array of colours you're talking about is what really points towards the graphics. It's important at this point that you're doing all these boots without moving the laptop at all. There's probably a bad connection in the logic board that's working or not working. When you get the black screen, try giving the laptop a few squeezes just above the keyboard, the picture can sometimes come back. This is a short term thing only though. The logic board is probably gonna make the laptop a write off, but worth a try maybe with an Apple Store to see if they'll take pity!
My aunt has been running a 17" PoweBook for a couple of years with glitchy graphics. I tell her it could go any time and to keep it backed up, but it just refuses to die!
If target disk doesn't work or you don't have the firewire kit required, goto http://www.ifixit.com to find out how to remove the laptop drive. I'm pretty sure it's IDE (PATA) so if you have an IDE USB laptop enclosure (find one cheap on eBay etc), you can plug it into another Mac and get everything from your Home folder out that way.
Let us know how it goes...

lwbe

Call Apple.

They've been pretty good in the past, they're most likely to know what to do.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

lwbe wrote: »

Call Apple.

They've been pretty good in the past, they're most likely to know what to do.

Would they charge?

lwbe

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

Would they charge?

Looking at the numbers here - http://www.apple.com/uk/support/contact/ - it looks like they probably would.

That said, if you're struggling to find a clear solution, it's probably your best bet to actually resolve the issue, sometimes leaving it to the experts (not sayin' all Apple customer support are geniuses, but y'know) is the most sensible solution...

Do you know if your machine is in warranty?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Not in warrenty now, my OH has had it for over 5 years.

Leopard

See if it will work with an external monitor. (Switch off, connect monitor, switch on monitor, press "On" button on iBook, then close the lid immediately. If the Mac is OK it will start up and - finding its own screen closed - display on the external monitor instead.)

But I agree with what's already been mooted - it's probably a dead or dying graphics card (and that's hard wired to the motherboard )

Before giving up, open it up and check that the RAM is properly seated and hasn't worked loose. Defective RAM would also cause this.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Checked RAM & it's in place.

Will try the monitor & laptop again, but this time will close the lid. Just got to hope something is displayed.

Telephoned Mac support & they were no help.

almillar

Opening and just looking at the RAM is no good. Take it out and put it back in to make sure there's a good connection. Walking into an Apple store will get better results, but like you say you've had it 5 yrs. Most manufacturers would laugh at you, but it's worth a shot in person.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Problem is, the local apple repair centre is really miles away from where we live. I don't think it'll be worth the effort to be honest.

We are now more concerned about retrieving all the files onto an external HD.

My OH has removed the RAM, and put it back in again. No luck.