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I wish to erase the hard disk, and reinstall the OS from the original powerbook cd that came with the machine in preparation for selling the machine. The Powerbook 3400c/200 says the disk is unreadable. The cd is in good condition. I have tried zapping the PRAM with no success. I assume the cd module is ok, for it return the unreadable message?
Powerbook
Hi PavlT,
In principle, it is possible to use a limited system (folder) on the CF card. In this case, it could probably be something like the system from a Disk Tools PPC disk (http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Apple_Software_Updates/English-North_American/Macintosh/System/Mac_OS_8.1_Update/Disk_Tools_PPC.img.bin).
Since the floppy drive in this PB 3400 does not appear to work, it will become necessary to download a file directly to the computer from the Internet (or possibly transfer an encoded file from another computer, on a CF card, or via a local network). Once on the PB 3400, after .bin decoding, one could use Disk Copy 6.3.3 (http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Apple_Software_Updates/English-North_American/Macintosh/Utilities/Disk_Copy/Disk_Copy_6.3.3.smi.bin) to mount a disk image (from where an attempt could be made to copy a system folder to a CF card).
As mentioned earlier, use a plain HFS-(re)formatted = Mac OS Standard CF card. CF card volume size?
Hi PavlT,
In principle, it is possible to use a limited system (folder) on the CF card. In this case, it could probably be something like the system from a Disk Tools PPC disk (http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Apple_Software_Updates/English-North_American/Macintosh/System/Mac_OS_8.1_Update/Disk_Tools_PPC.img.bin).
Since the floppy drive in this PB 3400 does not appear to work, it will become necessary to download a file directly to the computer from the Internet (or possibly transfer an encoded file from another computer, on a CF card, or via a local network). Once on the PB 3400, after .bin decoding, one could use Disk Copy 6.3.3 (http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Apple_Software_Updates/English-North_American/Macintosh/Utilities/Disk_Copy/Disk_Copy_6.3.3.smi.bin) to mount a disk image (from where an attempt could be made to copy a system folder to a CF card).
As mentioned earlier, use a plain HFS-(re)formatted = Mac OS Standard CF card. CF card volume size?
Macintosh PowerBook 3400c/200: Technical Specifications
Hello,
Would it be correct to assume that you have removed and reinserted the entire CD-ROM drive expansion bay module (thereby also checking whether the connectors appear to be OK)?
If the hard disk contains a working system (with the necessary CD-ROM files), can any other CD be read by the CD-ROM drive in the PB 3400c/200?
If no luck with the CD-ROM drive, do you have a floppy drive expansion bay module for this computer? If so, a Disk Tools floppy? Do you have access to another pre-1998 Macintosh computer?
http://manuals.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Manuals/powerbooks/0340296APB3400UM.PDF
Tried cleaning the sensor, but with no success. System Profiler >Devices and Volumes shows 'No mounted media' when the disc is in. Still getting the same unreadable message.
I have cross checked the cd in my imac and all seems fine.
Hi Jan
The entire module has been in and out. When the module is inserted the green LED indicator light on the unit flashes indicating good connection.
I have also tried a regular music cd with no success, just the same unreadable error message .
When swapping to the floppy module and inserting the original disk utilities floppy, I get the same unreadable message.
Tried other floppy discs and it doesn't want to read them either, inviting me to initialise, but the initialisation fails too.
Also have a zip drive but no disks
Thanks for the link Jan, but I do still have the original manual.
Unfortunately, I don't have access to another pre-1998 Macintosh computer
I am trying to figure out whether the fact that an error message is being returned from the cd indicates that the module is ok and functioning mechanically.
The machine is in fantastic cosmetic condition and running OS 9.1 with a healthy battery too. I would like to eventually sell it but need to clean out Quark, Illustrator etc and reinstall the original OS before sale.
Do you have a PC Card adapter for CompactFlash (otherwise, you should be able to find one for something like USD 10)? If so, try to reformat a (relatively small) CF card. Use Mac OS Standard = plain HFS in this case. Then copy (at least) a system folder to the flash card. Try to boot from the CF card in one of the PC Card slots. If this works, you could later install various utilities on the CF card. If the PowerBook is still capable of connecting to the Internet, it would also be possible to directly download new files.
Hi Jan
Well, firstly thanks for your time and attention with my problem. I must admit your last reply did leave me scratching my head and out of my depth somewhat, but I eventually went gung-ho for it and sent everything excess from the applications folder straight to the trash for a total clean out. I binned it all, Photoshop/illustrator/InDesign/Quark...Word/Excel..the lot, leaving the basics. Lo and behold I inserted the original installation cd. A lot of whirring from the cd drive and bingo. Floppy drive working too.
Hello,
It is possible that your PowerBook’s optical drive’s optics sensor may be dirty.
http://www.tokeepmypcup.com/workshop/how_to_clean_your_cd_dvd_drive/
Jan
As I do have a CF reader I tried your suggestion but the machine is not happy copying the system folder and crashes.
Hello PavlT,
Good to hear that it is working!
Jan
Powerbook
