Can't change startup disk

Disk Utility reported, in bright red letters, an impending fatal hardware error on the internal hard drive in my iMac G5. I got an external firewire drive, and cloned the internal drive to the external drive.
Then, in System Preference -> Startup Disk, I select the external drive as the startup disk and restart. It then restarts -- with the internal drive.
What do I need to do to change the startup disk?

Try starting from your install disc with the clone plugged in, then select it as the startup disk.

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    I Downloaded the Yosemite upgrade and went to install it on my iMac. The install failed saying file System needed repair. Ran disk utility could do the verify but the repair button was grayed out. When I tried to change startup disk back it wouldn't let me , saying it couldn't gather enough file info. So I'm stuck and can't boot my Mac. How do I get out of this?

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  • Changing startup disk.. help

    I was attempting to gain access to an old external harddrive, so I downloaded a live CD. I changed the startup disk in the system preferences and restarted my computer. To my knowledge this was a one time change, meaning it would only target my DVD drive for one boot. So I used the live CD and I can't seem to eject it from my computer. Also, I can't force it to boot from my harddrive. I know keystrokes can initiate a different boot but nothing seems to work.
    Somethings I have tried:
    - While turning on the computer....
    - option key
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    - Allowing the mac to boot into the live disk and attempting to eject the disk that way
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    randomacct wrote:
    I was attempting to gain access to an old external harddrive, so I downloaded a live CD. I changed the startup disk in the system preferences and restarted my computer. To my knowledge this was a one time change, meaning it would only target my DVD drive for one boot.
    that's incorrect. changing startup disk in system preferences is a permanent change, not a one time change.
    So I used the live CD and I can't seem to eject it from my computer. Also, I can't force it to boot from my harddrive. I know keystrokes can initiate a different boot but nothing seems to work.
    Somethings I have tried:
    - While turning on the computer....
    - option key
    holding option should have worked. what exactly happens when you reboot holding option? it should boot you into startup disk manager.
    if this does not happen, try resetting PRAM
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
    then try option boot again. also, what kind of keyboard are you using? you may want to try a different keyboard, preferably a wired apple keyboard.
    - C
    - eject button
    - Allowing the mac to boot into the live disk and attempting to eject the disk that way
    Any help would be great. Let me know if I need to provide any more details. Thanks!

  • TS1363 how can i change from disk modae to normal mode as none of the buttons seems to be working ?

    how can i change from disk modae to normal mode as none of the buttons seems to be working ?

    Have you tried a hard reset of the iPod yet?
    How to reset iPod
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    B-rock

  • Installed HandyCafe. Didn't like, so uninstalled it. Now I can't change startup homepage option. Manually deleted handycafe registry entries. Changed homepage from about:config. Still nothing. Using Chrome now.

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  • Option key can't function to access start up manager, so i can't choose startup disk. please help me

    option key can't function to access start up manager, so i can't choose startup disk. please help me

    If you have Apple Care, call them and get a case number.  Otherwise, take the computer to an Apple store or an AASP.  Whichever is more convenient for you. 

  • Can I change hard disk with SSD drive in Toshiba NB100?

    Can I change hard disk with SSD drive in Toshiba NB100 ?
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    Hi
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  • Changed startup disk and now iMac won't boot, even to CD, can't zap PRAM

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    I tried booting to my system restore CD in order to switch the startup disk back to my internal HDD, but it will not boot to CD, even when holding the 'C' button. I disconnected the external drive after trying to boot from CD using the external or internal CD drive. I tried resetting the PRAM, but the computer will not do this. I noticed that perhaps the keyboard is not being powered because I can't turn CAPS LOCK on and get a green light.
    What else could I possibly try before taking a trip to the genius store? I look forward to your ideas.

    So get this. I replaced the original keyboard on this computer and was just informed that only the original kybd will work for system startup commands. Since I no longer have the original kybd, the only was to switch the boot drive is use the IR remote that came with the computer, by holding the 'menu' button and using FF and RED buttons to make selection.

  • How to change startup disk for a 2012 Mac mini with dual HDD and clean installed with Windows 8.1?

    Hi,
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    If you boot with the Option key depressed what boot options are shown?
    Also:
    Restart your computer
    After Windows is installed, you can switch between OS X and Windows. Use the Startup Disk preference pane in OS X, or the Boot Camp system tray item in Windows to select your startup disk, then restart your computer
    How to install Windows using Boot Camp - Apple Support

  • IMac G3 freezing after changing startup disk?

    Hello.
    I bought a iMac G3 I few months ago just for a hobby and have been playing around on it.
    This morning I noticed two other previous system folders in the system folder.
    I then opened "startup disk" (I think that is the name) and chose to restart with "Previous system folder".
    When it re-booted it opened up differently, had a new background and made sound effects when clicking and scrolling.
    I decided to change the startup disc to "Previous system folder1" (which is the other previous system folder)
    This time when restarting it booted normally until the desktop icons loaded. The mouse and keyboard froze and then a message popped up saying "To use your internal modem you need to select the country from where you will be using your computer". I try to use the mouse and keyboard to select, "Australia" and then "OK" but as previously started the mouse and keyboard are frozen.
    When booting up I can use the mouse and keyboard on the loading screen until it freezes when the desktop appears.
    (The computer was working amazingly before I stupidly changed the system folder)
    Why is this happening. How do I return to a previous system folder when it keeps freezing.
    Here is a youtube video showing you what happens:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYURgG2W5x4
    Please note, I do have all the software CD that came with computer, however for some reason discs won't work on the computer they are unrecognizable.
    All keyboard commands do nothing for example holding down shift into safe mode still freezes.
    Thanks in advance!
    Stewart

    I'm not sure what OS you are running here.
    There is a way to set what os  boots from the firmware.  Not sure how.   Look tomorrow.  let me know via another post.
    For classic, you could try hold the
    space bar
    then booting. or is it the shift key?
    If this is a slot loader, try:
    The startup manager will list all of your bootable partitions then give you a choice of which to boot.  Hold down the option key then power on. Continue holding down the option key until you see the startup manager. This brings up the startup manager. Click on your hd or disc. Click on right arrow key.
    Restore Tiger 10.4 & Leopard 10.5  DVDs are available from Apple by calling  1(800) 275-2273. Have your serial number ready. Have your credit card ready too.  There may be a small fee.
    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4720126?tstart=0  -- January 20,2013
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/24588313#24588313 -- January 22,2014
    gical Macintosh Key Sequences
    http://davespicks.com/writing/programming/mackeys.html
    http://davespicks.com/writing/programming/mackeys.pdf
    Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343
    Startup keys
    http://macs.about.com/od/macoperatingsystems/qt/osxstartupkeys.htm
    I have a list of magical boot key sequences:
        Key Combinations-- Effect
        * mouse down -- Eject removable media ( I think Boot ROMs prior to 2.4f1 excluded the CD drive )
        * opt -- Bring up OF system picker on New World machines. 
                 iMac g3 400 or newer machine
        * cmd-opt -- Hold down until 2nd chime, will boot into Mac OS 9 ?
        * cmd-x (or just x?) -- Will boot into Mac OS X if 9 and X are on the same partition and that's the partition you're booting from.
        * cmd-opt-shift-delete -- Bypass startup drive and boot from external (or CD). This actually forces the system to NOT load the driver for the default volume, which has the side effect mentioned above. For SCSI devices it searches from highest ID to lowest for a partition with a bootable system. Not sure about IDE drives.
        * cmd-opt-shift-delete-# -- Boot from a specific SCSI ID # (# = SCSI ID number)
        * cmd-opt-p-r -- Zap PRAM. Hold down until second chime.
        * cmd-opt-n-v -- Clear NV RAM. Similar to reset-all in Open Firmware.
        * cmd-opt-o-f -- Boot into open firmware
        * cmd-opt-t-v -- Force Quadra AV machines to use TV as a monitor
        * cmd-opt-x-o -- Boot from ROM (Mac Classic only)
        * cmd-opt-a-v -- Force an AV monitor to be recognized as one
        * c -- Boot from CD. If set to boot to X and no CD is present, may boot to 9.
        * d -- Force the internal hard disk to be the startup device
        * n -- Hold down until Mac logo, will attempt to boot from network server (using BOOTP or TFTP)
        * r -- Force PowerBooks to reset the screen
        * t -- Put FireWire machine into FireWire Target Disk mode
        * z -- Attempt to boot using the devalias zip from first bootable partition found
        * shift -- (Classic only) Disable Extensions
        * shift -- (OS X, 10.1.3 and later) Disables login items. Also disables non-essential kernel extensions (safe boot mode)
        * cmd -- (Classic only) Boot with Virtual Memory off
        * space -- (Classic only) Trigger extension manager at boot-up
        * cmd-v -- (OS X only) show console messages during boot
        * cmd-s -- (OS X only) boot into single user mode
    Did not work simply 'z'?
    You could buy an external DVD drive. It needs to be firewire and bootable by Mac OS. If you have another PPC with firewire, you could try target Disk mode and installed tiger that way.
    You need to figure out the level of your  firmware before installing 10.2 or greater. ( The PC name for firmware is BIOS. ) Installing 10.2 with a down level firmware will most likely make your iMac unusable and difficult to fix.
    What is Open Firmware?
    The firmware on a PPC is called Open Firmware. Open Firmware software receives control when you poweron your machine.  It does some hardware testing and some hardware configuration then passes control to your version of Mac OS.   It reside on a PROM ( program read only memory ) chip on the logic board.
    Figuring out what level of Open Firmware you have?
    1) Mac OS 9.x or 8.x, you need to use the Apple System Profiler.
    Apple -> Apple System Profiler
    2) Mac OS X, use the System Profiler.
    Apple -> About This Mac
    click on the More Info... tab
    click on Hardware
    read the Boot ROM Version
    3) Open Firmware, boot into Open Firmware.
    Power on your iMac while holding down command+option+o+f
    The first output line contains the firmware level. Mine reads:
    Apple PowerMac4,1 4.1.9f1 BootRom built on 09/14/01 at 13.18.04
    Copyright 1994-2001 Apple Computer Inc.
    On my machine, I have 4.1.9f1.
    What firmware do you need?
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1395
    You can download the firmware from this page:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1283
    filename: N-iMac_FWUpdate_4.1.9.smi.bin
                    avoid   expanding the file on the download computer.
    For a slot loading iMac, this article indicates that you need to be running 9.1 or later version of Mac OS Classic.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1283
    "The iMac Firmware Update 4.1.9 will only run on iMac computers with slot-loading CD or DVD drives running Mac OS 9.1 or later from a local drive. If you are using Mac OS X you must boot from a local Mac OS 9.1 or later writeable partition (not a CD, or network disk) prior to following the update instructions."
    You can download the Mac OS 9 updates from the Apple site.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1387?viewlocale=en_US
    For tiger, you need 256meg of memory.  A slot loader will take 1gig of memory.
    You may need to get more memory.
    get the 512meg card(s)
    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/iMac/G3_450MHz_500MHz_600MHz_700MHz
    Mac OS X 10.4: System requirements
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514
    PPC 10.4.11 combo update.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/dl170

  • Trying to change startup disk HELP!

    Using alsoft diskwarrior. Changed the startup disk in the preferences to the CD. Now, can't change it back! The computer automatically reverts to the diskwarrior software to boot from...ideas?

    Restart the computer and hold the mouse button down to force ejection of the CD. The computer will then start normally. Then open the Startup Drive preference and set the startup drive to the internal drive and click on the Restart button.
    In the future you don't need to change the startup disk to boot from a CD/DVD. Simply insert the disc in the optical drive, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the "C" key until the gray startup screen appears. Release the key when the spinning gear appears.
    Why reward points?(Quoted from Discussions Terms of Use.)
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    Members may reward you with 5 points if they deem that your reply is helpful and 10 points if you post a solution to their issue. Likewise, when you mark a reply as Helpful or Solved in your own created topic, you will be awarding the respondent with the same point values.

  • Problem changing startup disk one time

    My main OS is 10.8.5 but have second hard drive with OS 10.6.8 on it for use with older applications.  I've never had trouble rebooting in 10.6.8 when necessary by holding down the option key.  Suddenly it doesn't work; the computer just hangs with a gray screen.  Nothing has really changed in my setup in the few weeks since I've last rebooted in 10.6.8.  I've verified both startup disks and repaired permissions on both.
    Alfred
    Mac Pro 2 x 2.4 GHz 6-core Intel Xeon
    12GB RAM

    Yes to both questions.  Since posting my question, I tried resetting the PRAM (in 10.8.5) and the result was that the computer wouldn't start in either OS; it would just get to the gray screen and hang.  I found an Apple document that suggested remedies.  Starting while holding down command-R or shift didn't work.  Then I unplugged all my peripherals and the computer started normally.  I followed the procedure of reconnecting one peripheral at a time (rebooting each time) and didn't find the culprit.  I then went to the next procedure: adding them one at a time (again rebooting each time) and this didn't find the problem either.  Now I can reboot normally in either my preferred 10.8.5 or the alternative 10.6.8, but I'm a little uneasy since I don't know what the problem was and never really fixed or changed anything.

  • Changing startup disk

    Hello all,
    I need to initialize my hard disk, but I can't initialize my startup disk. I bought a cdr disk with mac os 9.1, and I planned to boot up from the disk, and then initialize my hard disk. It is not working. I can't seem to boot up from the cd. Is this because it is a cdr and not a retail system cd? I also tried to change my startup disk through the apple menu but every time I restart the hard disk is still the startup disk. I am now at a loss. I would appreciate any help.

    You really need a retail System CD available here - apple rescue - link. The CDR you have could be anything from an incomplete drag and drop of the system from another computer, to a defective CD, and it's not totally legal.
    To be safe, buy the 9.2.1 disk. You didn't give your processor speed, but some of the 500s and 600s won't boot from any system disk under 9.2.1.
    Make sure the firmware is at 4.1.9 before you do anything with OSx 10.2 or above. Don't even put the OSX disk in the machine until that firmware is updated.
    David

  • Can't switch Startup Disks - System Freezes

    I read and applied many solutions to my problem, but after I switched over from OS 10.2.8 to 9.1 I've had nothing but freezes and can't get out of 9.1. Here's what I tried.
    *Holding down the x key.
    *Trashing preferences ASLM, Finder, Mac OS, & System
    *Holding down keys: Apple, Option, Shift & Delete
    *Zapping PRAM: Changed the screen to flashing ? & Mac file folder, then eventually attempted restart but with large images on the screen. It seems like it made it worse.
    *Removed the battery. Tried to restart. No change.
    *Unplugged the machine, bought a new battery, installed it & plugged in and restarted. Nothing changed.
    The computer freezes on Restart unless I hold down the Shift key and starts with Extensions Off.
    *Then I went into Control Panels/Startup Disk, switched to 10.2.8, and whether I click on Restart or just highlight 10.2.8 and try to Restart from the drop down menu the machine freezes.
    It freezes on regular startup without extensions Off, and any attempt to Restart.
    *I also tried Disk First Aid several times. At first I received the message that everything appears to be normal. Then on another attempt I received "Test interrupted because another program is using the disk."
    What else can I do? Help!
    Thank you,
    Dave
    G3 Blue Mac OS X (10.2.x) Also 9.1

    Hi, David -
    Welcome to Apple's Discussions.
    From the specs you've given - G3 Blue Mac
    Is your machine a G3 B&W (Blue & White) 'tower' model? - or is it an iMac?
    If it is an iMac, which specific model? - what is the CPU (machine) speed?
    Be sure you have updated the firmware for your model -
    Article #86117 - Firmware Updates
    Some machines need that firmware update before the X key will force a boot to OSX. If your machine needs a firmware update, it will need to be installed while it is booted to OS 9 from the internal hard drive. Running the firmware installer is safe - if your machine does not need it (such as it has already been done), the installer will so state and refuse to run further.
    The Startup Disk control panel that comes with OS 9.1 and earlier is not capable of recognizing OSX as a valid OS. The solution is to either update the OS to OS 9.2.1 or later (which can be done via download updater), or update just the control panel. You can download a replacement control panel from this page -
    Startup Disk 9.2.1 Document and Software
    It may help to throw away the file named Startup Disk Preferences (System Folder >> Preferences >> Startup Disk Preferences) after replacing that control panel.
    FWIW, I've found that using the Restart button in OS 9's Startup Disk control panel usually does not work worth a hoot. What does work, is to make the selection of boot volume/OS in Startup Disk, then close the control panel and use the Restart item in Finder's Special menu.
    I also tried Disk First Aid several times. At first I received the message that everything appears to be normal. Then on another attempt I received "Test interrupted because another program is using the disk."
    That would indicate you are running Disk First Aid from the hard drive while booted to the hard drive. In order for DFA to do some diagnostics or testing and to do any repairs the machine can not be booted to the hard drive being examined, nor DFA run from it.
    The solution for that is to boot to (in this case) an OS 9 Install CD (the most recent one you have valid for that machine - a retail OS 9.1 Install CD is perfect) -and then run DFA from the CD - it can be found in the Utilities folder on any OS 9 install CD.
    It freezes on regular startup without extensions Off, and any attempt to Restart.
    At what point does it freeze?
    - before extensions start to load?
    - in the middle of extensions and control panels loading?
    - after extensions and control panels have loaded, but before the desktop has fully loaded?
    - or some other point?

  • Can't switch startup disk back from CD to Hard Drive

    I wanted to install Tiger, but it told me that my disk drive had errors that it couldn't repair, so I bout Norton, and but the disk in and told the system to use the CD as the startup disk. Big mistake. I should have just held down the option key while booting and used the Startup Manager. Anyway, I decided that I wasn't ready yet to use Norton, and tried to go back to my usual disk startup, and I can't find a way to get back. Both the Tiger and Norton CDs come up and see the Hard Drive, but neither those CDs nor the Startup Manager will find the Hard drive startup disks.

    Welcome to the Apple Discussions. Chapter 2.3 of the iWeb FAQ.org site has tips on using some of the existing image, audio and/or video files in the published site in the reconstruction of the site.
    OT

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