Scotty,

I need your expertise with a iBook/laptop problem;  friend has a iBook that he got a couple of years ago.  He has not been able to get it to start up, initially only a question mark would show, then he started it up with the disc and he couldn't get past the language selection.

With that said, what do you feel that his next step should?

If he has to send it in (he doesn't have AppleCare), where would you recommend?

Thanks for your assistance.

_________

It's extremely likely that the hard drive has died. (as all hard drives do) If it is in fact an iBook then hard drive replacement is very difficult if you've never done it. If it's a Macbook then he can most likely do it himself. Very easy. If it's a Macbook then I would suggest he purchase an external hard drive (newegg.com is great) and just install OS X again. If it's an iBook then I would be happy to do it for you if you need.

Macbooks need SATA 2.5" drives
iBooks need ATA 2.5" drives