Volume Selecting Problem.

Go in to the "applications>utilities" folder. Run the "Audio/MIDI Setup" program. Insure the audio out is actually going to the headphone out.

Go to the Apple menu (top left) System Preferences > Sound click the Output tab at the bottom there is a Output volume slide bar, slide the blue upside down house all the way to the right (max volume) make sure the Mute checkbox is unchecked.

Suchisart,
If you want a stand alone backup solution, you can download a free program called "Carbon Copy Cloner" and purchase a USB 2.0 external hard drive. You can use the CCC software to backup the entire contents of your Powerbook's hard drive or just selected files to the external USB hard drive.

If your Powerbook is unable to boot into OS X and you need to recover the files that are on the internal hard drive, you can boot the Powerbook into "Target Disk Mode" and transfer the files via firewire cable to another Mac. To do this do the following.

1. With both Macs off connect them with a firewire cable.
2. Turn on the Powerbook and hold down the "T" during startup.
3. Once the large icon shows up on screen your in "TDM".
4. Turn on the other Mac and login to your account.
5. The Powerbook's hard drive should mount on your desktop.
6. You'll be able to transfer your files from the Powerbook's hard drive just like you would an external hard drive, thumb drive, etc.

Don't forget to vote and leave us some feedback. :)
Thank you,
Scott Computer Services http://www.scottcomputerservices.com

I seen a blinking folder with a question mark in the middle in folder, in the middle of a display screen, but not a camera.

Either way, you are not able to access your main desktop so that is where I want to help.

A blinking folder with a ? in middle, is an indication that your bootable Mac OS X volume cannot be found.

If you do, I would first recommend you try this procedure first:
(PRAM Reset)
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} • First, hold in your power button for approximately 10 seconds to do a hard shutdown, if you have not already turned your Mac off.

• Once your Mac is shutdown, you will need to perform what is called a PRAM reset (Parameter RAM)
• Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously .

• Turn on the computer.
• Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
• Now, hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the start up sound for the third time.
• Release the keys and allow the Powerbook G4 to start up.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If this still returns you to a blinking ? folder, try this process:
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} DISK UTILITYYou can use your Mac OS X install disc to repair your hard drive and Mac OS X volume using Disk Utility. Click the link below to try this procedure.
* Apple Support Link:
Use Disk Utility to Repair Disk

Should neither of these processes work and you still boot up to a flashing ? folder, then your only recourse is to use your Mac OS X installation disc and perform an Archive and Install procedure.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} This procedure also allows you to save your applications, files and folders without the old directory interferring with you then accessing those files and creating a new Mac OS X Directory.

Here is the Apple Support Link for that procedure:
Archive and Install



This should get your Powerbook G4 back to normally functionality without any serious data loss.



Regards,


-Mactechtrainer

hey,
so not to be obvious but you have one of two problems either hardware or software. there is a way to check but you need to do a few things. first you should try creating a new user account and see if the volume problem still exists. you create a new user through system prefs/accounts. if that doesn’t work you should try a pram reset by holding down the cmd, option, r, p, key at boot. IF you have never done this before you want to hear the startup chimes at least 3 times then let the computer restart. if that still doesn’t work you should try an archive and install of the os from the discs if you still have them, and if none of that work you most likely have a hardware issue and either the logic board needs to be replaced or the speakers are bad. but either way its going to cost money if there is a hardware issue and you might consider a new computer, im just being honest.

Hi Sorry to hear you are having troubles,You will need a firewire 400 cableOK, first thing you must do is reboot the eMac in TARGET mode, this means it will be recognized as an external disk. To get the eMac in TARGET mode, you must be sure the eMac is turned OFF and has a functioning keyboard connected.Power on the eMac and very very rapidly press the ( T ) key on the keyboard, be sure the caps lock button is not pressed. If all goes well, you will see the firewire logo appear larger than life on the screen.( If you are unable to get into TARGET mode, it is highly probable that the mother board of the internal hard drive is damaged and preventing the eMac from entering TARGET mode, sorry, that's the end of the line..)Once you enter TARGET mode on the eMac, connect the firewire cable to your G4 PowerBook, you can do this either while it is running or when it is off and then turn it on.
You should see the volume of your eMac internal hard drive appear on the PowerBook desktop...sometimes you need to open Disk Utilities and repair or mount the drive manually.If this all works well, copy the required files directly to your PowerBook...After that, power off both machines, disconnect them and reboot the eMac using a CD or DVD to reformat and reinstall a new system.

Hi, I'll need more info to help you...
What is the MacOS X version ?
Model of PowerBook, speed, Ram HD Size, DVD?
When was the last time it worked properly ?
What would you say happened to make it lock up like that ?
Did you change anything ?
Are you talking about the internal drive or an external drive... ?
Please advise...

Normal 0 Go to Control Panel.
1. Click on Keyboard.
2. When the Keyboard Properties come up, CLICK on Key Settings.
3. Then set up the keys by selecting the Key to be changed.
Hope this will help some. Bud

Here is a service guide for the Powerbook G4. It has the step by step instructions.

http://www.powerbookmedic.com/xcart1/files/G4alum12.pdf

copy and paste the complete link into your browser.
If I could be of further assistance, let me know. If this helps or solves the issue, please rate it.
Thanks, Joe


I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/joe_8b8c2cd6ce148309

Not too bad if you have the right tools (T8 torx screwdriver). See this website for logic board replacements and guides: http://www.ifixit.com/
An example of guide here: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBook-G4-Ti-Mercury/Logic-Board/21/10/
Just select the right model