I'm trying to help an acquaintance get his iBook G4 working. It, too, flashes alternately between a file folder icon with a squarehead face and a question mark. After a bit of experimenting, I discovered (I didn't notice anyone else mention this in the answers on the forum) that pressing the "Options" key brings up a different screen, but my problems don't end there.

I'm faced with what must be a standard log-in screen (I'm not a Mac user!): a large lock image followed by a very narrow edit window, followed by a right-arrow image.

Even though the fellow supplied me with the correct password, I can't get past this screen. Sometimes the keys don't register unless I press very hard; other times, a string of dots appears in the edit window, as if there were a stuck key (but there's not).

Any suggestions what to try next??

Thanks.