IMac G3 startup problem
steeve
-
Caribouh -
Caribouh -
Hello, my friend just gave me a Mac, I think it’s an iMac G3, it looks like this: Click here to see my image
actually I don’t know anything about Macs, I tried to turn it on but I get a light pink screen with a blinking question mark, after researching on the Internet, I understood that it’s a system error that needs to be repaired with the repair CD, but my problem is that I don’t have any CD, and since the Mac doesn’t want to start, I can’t tell which system it is,
so if anyone can tell me what to do that would be kind, because I’m useless with Macs.
Thanks in advance.
actually I don’t know anything about Macs, I tried to turn it on but I get a light pink screen with a blinking question mark, after researching on the Internet, I understood that it’s a system error that needs to be repaired with the repair CD, but my problem is that I don’t have any CD, and since the Mac doesn’t want to start, I can’t tell which system it is,
so if anyone can tell me what to do that would be kind, because I’m useless with Macs.
Thanks in advance.
Configuration: Windows XP Internet Explorer 7.0
10 answers
Hello -
mac or not, you do need an installation DVD to restore your system - these DVDs are obligatorily provided with every Mac - and it isn't guaranteed that the DVD(s) from another Mac will work
1/ your friend will give you the DVDs
otherwise you should consider a compatible purchase
here for example
and you’ll be able to upgrade to at least Panther 10.3 otherwise Tiger 10.4 =
http://planeteachat.2xmoinscher.com/INFO/liste.asp?strRech=apple
section = Mac operating systems of course
choose a universal black DVD
à+++++++
mac or not, you do need an installation DVD to restore your system - these DVDs are obligatorily provided with every Mac - and it isn't guaranteed that the DVD(s) from another Mac will work
1/ your friend will give you the DVDs
otherwise you should consider a compatible purchase
here for example
and you’ll be able to upgrade to at least Panther 10.3 otherwise Tiger 10.4 =
http://planeteachat.2xmoinscher.com/INFO/liste.asp?strRech=apple
section = Mac operating systems of course
choose a universal black DVD
à+++++++
Hello
This type of iMac G3 first appeared in May 1998, it was clocked at 233 MHz, had a 4 GB hard drive (you read that correctly), and was equipped with a CD-ROM drive - it only had USB ports and no FireWire ports. The original Mac OS was System 8.1 and could accept up to Mac OS 10.3.9 after mandatory firmware update.
The latest model of this type of Mac appeared built until March 2003
it was equipped with a CD burner or a DVD drive, it was equipped with a processor clocked between 500 and 600 MHz, a hard drive between 20 and 60 GB - It was equipped with USB 1 and FireWire ports. It came with System 9.1, and could go up to system 10.4.11 after mandatory firmware update.
So you understand, the photo of your Mac tells us nothing more than your model may lie at the two extremes of these models.
We do not know the exact model, and between the first model and the last there are a multitude of different models
Do not start UPON ANY CIRCUMSTANCES under Mac OS 10 before performing the firmware update.
The only and unique thing we are sure of is that this model is capable of booting under OS 9.1 without danger. Do not buy a system earlier than 9.1; why? because if this Mac was shipped with System 9.1, it will not boot under an earlier system.
When you have a universal CD of System 9.1, you can install it and then proceed with the firmware update, after precise identification of the type of Mac, and only then install potentially Mac OS 10
To identify your Mac exactly
https://support.apple.com/specs
https://mactracker.dreamhosters.com/
To find its firmware required for the installation of Mac OS 10
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
Best regards
--
Sanspseudo - Francis
iMac G5 2GHz 2GB - OS 10.4.11
This type of iMac G3 first appeared in May 1998, it was clocked at 233 MHz, had a 4 GB hard drive (you read that correctly), and was equipped with a CD-ROM drive - it only had USB ports and no FireWire ports. The original Mac OS was System 8.1 and could accept up to Mac OS 10.3.9 after mandatory firmware update.
The latest model of this type of Mac appeared built until March 2003
it was equipped with a CD burner or a DVD drive, it was equipped with a processor clocked between 500 and 600 MHz, a hard drive between 20 and 60 GB - It was equipped with USB 1 and FireWire ports. It came with System 9.1, and could go up to system 10.4.11 after mandatory firmware update.
So you understand, the photo of your Mac tells us nothing more than your model may lie at the two extremes of these models.
We do not know the exact model, and between the first model and the last there are a multitude of different models
Do not start UPON ANY CIRCUMSTANCES under Mac OS 10 before performing the firmware update.
The only and unique thing we are sure of is that this model is capable of booting under OS 9.1 without danger. Do not buy a system earlier than 9.1; why? because if this Mac was shipped with System 9.1, it will not boot under an earlier system.
When you have a universal CD of System 9.1, you can install it and then proceed with the firmware update, after precise identification of the type of Mac, and only then install potentially Mac OS 10
To identify your Mac exactly
https://support.apple.com/specs
https://mactracker.dreamhosters.com/
To find its firmware required for the installation of Mac OS 10
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
Best regards
--
Sanspseudo - Francis
iMac G5 2GHz 2GB - OS 10.4.11
Hello everyone,
I dare to slip in a grain of salt that I hope will not turn into a grain of sand :-)
In the photo proposed by Steeve, it seems to me that I can glimpse a drawer-loading drive and not a CD player. This takes us back to the very first iMac models (called Rev A and Rev B, if I recall correctly).
Alright, I’m off :-))
Best regards.
I dare to slip in a grain of salt that I hope will not turn into a grain of sand :-)
In the photo proposed by Steeve, it seems to me that I can glimpse a drawer-loading drive and not a CD player. This takes us back to the very first iMac models (called Rev A and Rev B, if I recall correctly).
Alright, I’m off :-))
Best regards.
Hello everyone, I also have a problem... I stumbled upon your forum after reinstalling Mac OS X on my iMac and therefore without having done the firmware updates, and now there is no screen anymore. It still runs but there is no screen...
Does anyone have a solution to get me out of this huge mess... please. thanks in advance.
Does anyone have a solution to get me out of this huge mess... please. thanks in advance.
Thank you for taking care of my case.
So first I don’t know how to proceed with a reset of the Pram. Of course I tried rebooting it several times before realizing there was a problem.
Then as for the procedure in English, no problem I’ll manage.
And finally I hope with all my might that this procedure will make it work again.
Thank you for the answers and especially to Sanspseudo. :-)
So first I don’t know how to proceed with a reset of the Pram. Of course I tried rebooting it several times before realizing there was a problem.
Then as for the procedure in English, no problem I’ll manage.
And finally I hope with all my might that this procedure will make it work again.
Thank you for the answers and especially to Sanspseudo. :-)
The full procedure is quite long; depending on the type of Mac, you need to identify the most appropriate method.
What you should know before proceeding is the exact type of Mac. Daisy chain disk (Short Loading) or drawer drive, first iMac Rev A, rev B...
In short, the goal is to restart the Mac on Mac OS 9.1, perform the firmware update, then reboot normally and only then install Mac OS 10. Note that some users have succeeded with not too much difficulty, while others have permanently lost their Mac.
There are several ways to approach this, depending on whether you have an external monitor and whether the Mac has a VGA port or not. Another method is to remove the hard drive, place it in an identical Mac or as a second drive in a G4, and place on that drive an OS 9.1 as well as in the startup folder the firmware update so that it auto-launches. (the correct update, since for these iMac G3 there are two possible)
I found on the net the original file that I have; you just need to print it and read it carefully, several times if necessary:
http://mrjcd.com/gileskennedy/iMac_firmware_problem_v1_2.pdf
Below is also a procedure I copied a few years ago from Apple Discussions forum from a contributor who proposed this solution - it aligns with the one explained in my link above, but was specific to a particular case, so you must first read the file above carefully and see if the method below is valid for your case/
1) remove from your iMac your HardDrive, mount it into another same iMac / or as a slave into a G4 for example
2) reconfigure HD with OS 9.1 ( firmware update needs to be run under OS9.1 or higher )
3) download from HERE the localized "iMac firmware update 4.19" you need
4) open the ".smi" file you downloaded, and COPY to HD the "virtual floppy"
to make a folder with same containing
5) open this folder ( name should be something like "firmware update imac"
locate "READ ME" file open it, READ it and PRINT instruction if you need
6) from the same folder, make an ALIAS of "firmware installer software" and move this alias to this location
HD-> system folder ->open at start up item folder
7) move back this pre-configured HD to your iMac
8) Power up and apply CAREFULLY firmware update instruction (power button + programmer key) IMMEDIATELY ( no need to shut down in your case)
That may solve your problem
.../...
Take your time, print the procedures, reread them several times to fully understand the different possible methods and the differences
And GOOD LUCK!!
--
Sanspseudo - Francis
iMac G5 2ghz 2Go - OS 10.4.11
What you should know before proceeding is the exact type of Mac. Daisy chain disk (Short Loading) or drawer drive, first iMac Rev A, rev B...
In short, the goal is to restart the Mac on Mac OS 9.1, perform the firmware update, then reboot normally and only then install Mac OS 10. Note that some users have succeeded with not too much difficulty, while others have permanently lost their Mac.
There are several ways to approach this, depending on whether you have an external monitor and whether the Mac has a VGA port or not. Another method is to remove the hard drive, place it in an identical Mac or as a second drive in a G4, and place on that drive an OS 9.1 as well as in the startup folder the firmware update so that it auto-launches. (the correct update, since for these iMac G3 there are two possible)
I found on the net the original file that I have; you just need to print it and read it carefully, several times if necessary:
http://mrjcd.com/gileskennedy/iMac_firmware_problem_v1_2.pdf
Below is also a procedure I copied a few years ago from Apple Discussions forum from a contributor who proposed this solution - it aligns with the one explained in my link above, but was specific to a particular case, so you must first read the file above carefully and see if the method below is valid for your case/
1) remove from your iMac your HardDrive, mount it into another same iMac / or as a slave into a G4 for example
2) reconfigure HD with OS 9.1 ( firmware update needs to be run under OS9.1 or higher )
3) download from HERE the localized "iMac firmware update 4.19" you need
4) open the ".smi" file you downloaded, and COPY to HD the "virtual floppy"
to make a folder with same containing
5) open this folder ( name should be something like "firmware update imac"
locate "READ ME" file open it, READ it and PRINT instruction if you need
6) from the same folder, make an ALIAS of "firmware installer software" and move this alias to this location
HD-> system folder ->open at start up item folder
7) move back this pre-configured HD to your iMac
8) Power up and apply CAREFULLY firmware update instruction (power button + programmer key) IMMEDIATELY ( no need to shut down in your case)
That may solve your problem
.../...
Take your time, print the procedures, reread them several times to fully understand the different possible methods and the differences
And GOOD LUCK!!
--
Sanspseudo - Francis
iMac G5 2ghz 2Go - OS 10.4.11
Hello! I have a problem with my iMac ProcesseurPC G3 at 400 MHz
We had to remove the hard drive and as a result! the iMac is left without any operating system ...
so I get a gray screen with a folder and a blinking question mark.
What can I do?
In addition I inserted a XP CD to install it but nothing happens!
I don’t yet know how Macs work! so please... Help ME! SOS
We had to remove the hard drive and as a result! the iMac is left without any operating system ...
so I get a gray screen with a folder and a blinking question mark.
What can I do?
In addition I inserted a XP CD to install it but nothing happens!
I don’t yet know how Macs work! so please... Help ME! SOS
Hello,
It would have been preferable to start a new discussion for a topic different from the original... :-)
But, the fact that the Mac shows a folder with a blinking question mark is absolutely normal, since as you say, this Mac is bare of any operating system. It’s looking for one and since it doesn’t find one, it displays this blinking icon. The solution is very simple. After reinstalling an internal drive, of course, insert a Mac OS 9.1 installation CD, format the hard drive and re-install Mac OS 9.1. I do not recommend an older system, not knowing if this Mac will accept it, I do not also advise Mac OS 10, not knowing if the firmware is updated, to avoid you ending up in the situation described above. So:
1 - install a hard disk
2 - buy on the used market a Mac OS 9.1 CD
3 - Install Mac OS 9.1 after formatting the internal disk from the CD
Do not buy any old CD; you need an original Apple Mac OS 9.1 universal CD like this one
http://imagik.fr/view-rl/37418
or a CD from a Mac strictly identical to yours.
http://www.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-5505394-probleme-d-installation-mac#9
http://www.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-4551050-mise-a-jour-mac-os#1
http://www.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-4192724-installer-leopard-a-la-place-de-tiger#1
Good luck
Best regards
--
Sanspseudo - Francis
iMac G5 2ghz 2Go - OS 10.4.11
hi tony
i read, i reread, i re-read, my weak faculties flash = alert!!
a mac naked without a hard drive worries at startup with a question mark = that's reassuring --
he's hungry and you give him an xp to eat to install = major indigestion = that's also reassuring -
anything else ????????????
i read, i reread, i re-read, my weak faculties flash = alert!!
a mac naked without a hard drive worries at startup with a question mark = that's reassuring --
he's hungry and you give him an xp to eat to install = major indigestion = that's also reassuring -
anything else ????????????
Hello,
I know it's a bit old, but I have exactly the same problem and so far I haven’t found any solutions... I recovered a G3 with a floppy drive and a 266MHz processor and I’d like to update my firmware, but unfortunately I can’t boot from the hard drive after installing OS 8.6, even though the disk is recognized by the Mac and is formatted. I also tried to configure it in the startup settings but the problem persists...
I know it's a bit old, but I have exactly the same problem and so far I haven’t found any solutions... I recovered a G3 with a floppy drive and a 266MHz processor and I’d like to update my firmware, but unfortunately I can’t boot from the hard drive after installing OS 8.6, even though the disk is recognized by the Mac and is formatted. I also tried to configure it in the startup settings but the problem persists...
if I have to buy an installation CD, do I need to give the seller the specifications of my Mac?