Aqua-Soft ForumsHello, my name is Jaime, I'm trying to format my iBook G4 but I can't. I tried the things that the manual says: Inserting Disc 1 and click on the Install Mac OS X and Bundled Software, and it just appears a window with a button saying "Restart" and when it restart it, before the apple screen, it just a appear a little blue folder with a question mark "?" and then it just do it everything normal, what can I do? Or what do I need to do?
Formating an iBook G4
try restarting while holding c to boot from the dvd
i tried it, but it it just appear for longer time the blue folder with the question mark and the finder logo, but it starts normally
i have to ask: is this a legit disk you're inserting?
of course, the one that it comes with the mac when i bought it
Hmmm go to System Preferences > Startup disk and see what's going on there. Select your main volume, restart and hold C - it has to work 
I have two, one it says Mac OS X 10.4.5 in Macintosh Hard Disk and Mac OS X 10.4.2 in Mac OS X Install Disc 1
im just speaking from my experience -- pop the dvd in > wait for all the crap to show up > utilities > disk > select your HD > format it in MacOS Journal > format > install. Have fun.
Paralex your instructions are delightfully deranging and incomplete. Maybe I'm stupid but I got from them that one can format their system volume when running OS X on it.
Apart of that formatting isn't required, OS X installer lets you do that.
@oberststen: try both these disks (boot while holding C) and let us know what's up.
This has happened to me on several occasions with multiple machines. Sometimes when running the installer, the machine restarts attempting to start up from the DVD/CD but still boots into the start-up volume, and sometimes holding the C key still won't allowing booting off of the DVD/CD. In my job I go through several basic steps before resorting to taking the machine apart:
Keep the DVD/CD in the drive.
1: Try using an older System CD/DVD - To rule out the possibilities that the Drive or Optical media isn't defective. If the drive is defective then refer back to your warranty. If the optical media is defective refer to your local reseller and ask for a new one.
1: Zap the PRAM - On restart hold down Command (Apple)+Option (alt)+P+R and keep holding down until you hear 5 chimes. Now hold down the C key with the OS X disk inserted.
2: Reset Firmware - On restart hold down Command+Option+O+F and wait for the prompt. Type in reset-nvram and hit return, then type reset-all, then hit return and type mac-boot and hold down the C key with the OS X disk inserted.
3: Boot into Open Firmware and use OF boot command - Once again hold down Command+Option+O+F keys during startup. Type the following: setenv boot-device mac-io/ata-4@1f000/@0:2,SystemLibraryCoreServicesBootX, then hit return and type mac-boot and hold down the C key with the OS X disk inserted.
4: Check Ram - Sometimes "bad" ram can cause the OS X installer to panic, therefore bypassing the set up and going straight to the start-up volume. If you have any third party ram, try taking it out and attempt the boot process again.
5: Seek Professional Assistance - If the optical media still fails to boot then you really should have it checked out by a qualified Apple Certified Service Engineer. The problem might well be a faulty input/output or ATA controller. These reside on the logic board and will require professional handling.
I hope this info helps.
--Rogue
This has happened to me on several occasions with multiple machines. Sometimes when running the installer, the machine restarts attempting to start up from the DVD/CD but still boots into the start-up volume, and sometimes holding the C key still won't allowing booting off of the DVD/CD. In my job I go through several basic steps before resorting to taking the machine apart:Keep the DVD/CD in the drive.
1: Try using an older System CD/DVD - To rule out the possibilities that the Drive or Optical media isn't defective. If the drive is defective then refer back to your warranty. If the optical media is defective refer to your local reseller and ask for a new one.
1: Zap the PRAM - On restart hold down Command (Apple)+Option (alt)+P+R and keep holding down until you hear 5 chimes. Now hold down the C key with the OS X disk inserted.
2: Reset Firmware - On restart hold down Command+Option+O+F and wait for the prompt. Type in reset-nvram and hit return, then type reset-all, then hit return and type mac-boot and hold down the C key with the OS X disk inserted.
3: Boot into Open Firmware and use OF boot command - Once again hold down Command+Option+O+F keys during startup. Type the following: setenv boot-device mac-io/ata-4@1f000/@0:2,SystemLibraryCoreServicesBootX, then hit return and type mac-boot and hold down the C key with the OS X disk inserted.
4: Check Ram - Sometimes "bad" ram can cause the OS X installer to panic, therefore bypassing the set up and going straight to the start-up volume. If you have any third party ram, try taking it out and attempt the boot process again.
5: Seek Professional Assistance - If the optical media still fails to boot then you really should have it checked out by a qualified Apple Certified Service Engineer. The problem might well be a faulty input/output or ATA controller. These reside on the logic board and will require professional handling.
I hope this info helps.
--Rogue
Thanks a lot, but i tried all the methods and it didn't work, the only one that almost starts was the number 3, it started like reading the dvd but then it just appeared the blinking blue carpet with the question mark and the finder icon and then it just appear the apple and starts normally, any other idea? 