EMac - won't boot to install disk

I've got a G4 eMac (512Mb, Jaguar) that randomly freezes. These freezes do not occur in Safe mode. So I'm trying to reformat the HD and clean reinstall the OS. However, I cannot get it to boot to the original install disk. Any ideas?
Here's what I've tried:
*TechTools Plus shows no hardware issues; all tests pass.
*Hard drive is verified.
*Repaired permissions (ran 4x).
*I've zapped PRAM (3x)
*I've entered "set-defaults" and "reset all" in Open Firmware command line interface.
*CD in the drive will mount. I can browse files on the CD.
*I've tested the CD in another eMac and it will boot the computer. I actually have another eMac with install disks and they will not boot this problem eMac either.
*When I launch the OS install program and press the "Restart" button, the computer restarts but winds up booting from the HD (I can first hear the CD read head accessing the CD).
*When I hold down the Alt/Opt key on start up, it will not list the install CD as a boot option.
*When I press the "C" on start up, it still boots from the HD.
Shall I say, "Arrggh"?
Any help appreciated.

Interesting results. I was able to clean install the OS from another computer to the flaky eMac using the target mode as you described. From the other computer, I can even boot from the flaky eMac hard drive in target mode (start flaky eMac in target mode, start the other Mac while holding the Alt key and select the flaky eMac hard disk as boot option from the two listed.)
But I still cannot directly boot the flaky eMac (and Safe mode doesn't boot now).
I have repeated the following after OS install.
*reset PRAM
*entered "set-defaults" and "reset-all" in Open Firmware command line interface.
Am I running up against a hardware problem?

Similar Messages

  • Ibook g4 won't boot from install disks

    Got an ibook g4 1.33 ghz combo drive from original owner w/install disks. I want to reinstall original system but it won't boot from install disk 1. Tried starting holding down c but ignores disk. Holding down option just gives me the HD. Install disk shows up on desktop and opens. Tried disk utility from install disk but it doesn't allow me to erase the hd. Is there anything else I can do? Thanks.

    OK, so let us suppose that you have the correct disk, the possibilities are:
    • the optical drive is not functioning properly. However, since the disk shows up on the desktop the drive is apparently reading it.
    • the disk itself is the issue. It could the wrong disk, but let us assume it is not. It could be damaged so that it is no longer bootable, or it could dirty. I would begin by giving the disk a good buffing and see if that will encourage it to boot the computer.
    Good luck.
    cornelius

  • IMac won't boot to install disk, normally or in safe mode! Please help

    Hi everyone,
    I'm using my iPhone so please excuse any spelling or grammatical errors.
    I have a 27" quad-core iMac bought about a year ago.
    Today I went to reformat the harddrive as I'm selling the machine to a friend. First the iMac would not boot to the install disk - it just gets stuck on the apple logo screen, but with no spinning wheel - now it won't even start up normally! I've attempted to start up in safe-mode but again it gets stuck on the apple screen and there's a strange clicking noise, which sounded like it was coming from the cd drive area.
    It's a shame this happened today, right before I was supposed to give the computer to it's new owner. I really don't want them to think I was trying to sell them a computer with problems.
    I've tried a basic hardware test and it came back with no problems.
    Can anyone help?

    Try using the original Install Disc that came with the machine, do not try any other DVD. Put it in the SuperDrive, while holding down the power button also hold down the Option button on the keyboard. It should start and give you the option of starting from either the internal HD or the Install Disc. Choose the Install Disc, select the language, choose the Utilities Menu, Disk Utility, then select the internal HD, select the Erase tab and set it to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and click erase. Then exit Disk Utility and continue with the install process to reload OS X.
    Roger

  • IBook on 10.4 won't boot from Install Disk

    Hi - Somewhere along the line I lost DiskUtility from my iBook running 10.4.11. I thought I could run it from the Install Disc but I find the iBook won't boot from the Disc and DU won't run from the Disc (when I do manage to track it down there).
    I have install discs from a G4 Powerbook and a MacBookPro Unibody but I'm concerned about repairing permissions from the wrong version of DU (even if I could get the iBook to boot from those discs). Is a newer disc OK? I want to run or install DiskUtility. What are my options??
    How can I get the iBook to boot from its install disc?
    TIA your expertise...
    j2

    The installers are machine-series specific. And the Intel disc won't work
    in the PPC Mac, additionally. If you have the correct disc for that iBook,
    then you can boot the computer with the disc inside the optical drive
    and hold the C key down, until Installer appears on the screen; a second
    screen after the initial language screen has a full menu bar and Installer
    in the header; options appear in the drop-down menu lists, Disk Utility is
    among utility and other features listed in there.
    If you do not have an iBook G4 disc or an OS X disc retail version capable
    of doing the job, you really should get the correct disc. In a few instances,
    another path may work, but is not recommended. And you could lose the
    content of the hard drive in the computer you are hoping to save.
    However, you may be able to use Pacifist to get Disk Utility from the PB G4
    installer disc to be made available on the desktop of the iBook, and use
    Pacifist to install that extracted package item from the other PPC install disc.
    This does not use the installers on the disc media, so Pacifist is used to do
    the process. The iBook ideally needs a replacement disc set, and that may
    be available from Apple online store's sales support (see online phone#)
    and the product would be matched by serial number. A fee is involved.
    The original software disc set would have the correct Apple Hardware Test
    and the software kit as included when the computer was new.
    If Tiger did not ship with the computer in question, then a full retail disc 10.4
    installer could probably be used; since it would be newer than, say 10.3.9.
    In natural progression, the newer disc of correct kind & type supported by
    the computer is a possible path; however a Leopard disc won't help fix Tiger.
    You could also use Disk Utility in one PPC Mac, via FireWire Target Disk
    mode, to repair the drive of the iBook. It would only appear as a hard drive.
    So, repairing disk permissions would not be possible, on a non-boot volume.
    This, only within limits; differences in build versions of OS and custom installs
    done to a computer configuration may make doing so very limited. I would
    not expect an Intel-Mac's version of the same OS to help a PPC in any way.
    Good luck & happy computing!
    { edited 2x }

  • IBook G4 won't boot using Install Disk

    My iBook g4 won't boot from its original Mac OS X Install Disk (10.4.2).
    When I try to start by holding down the 'C' key, the drive starts to spin up the disk, but then starts up from the hard drive.
    When using the System Preferences to select the install disk as the start up drive, it shows in the preference pane, I can select it, but when it restarts, I get a flashing question mark before the computer continues by booting up from the hard drive.
    I've also tried holding down the 'Option' key to run the Apple Hardware Test on the disk, but my internal hard drive is my only option when trying this.
    I find it odd that the drive would work normally for all other purposes (reading/writing CD and DVD's), but will not start up from it.
    Thanks in advance for any thoughts or suggestions!

    An update:
    I tested the startup disk using an external FireWire DVD drive and received the exact same results as when attempting to boot from my iBook's internal drive.
    Since it's definitely not the drive, I'd have to agree with you that my install disk is bad (although I'm still at a loss as how an undamaged install disk goes bad).
    You mentioned that Apple Support would replace the disks for a fee. I went through the Apple Support page and which led me to a page informing me that I had to pay $50 to talk to them once about this issue. I'm hesitant to spend $50 on a call where they'll tell me I can purchase new 10.4 install disks for the discounted fee of $50+shipping for a total investment that's almost the cost of simply upgrading to 10.5.
    Has anyone actually purchased replacement install disks from Apple? I'd be interested in knowing what you were charged.
    Or is there another method of contacting Apple regarding this issue that won't cost me $50?

  • Mac Mini won't boot with install disk

    tried booting with install disc in and pushing "c" on keyboard and doesn't work. Using a apple wireless keyboard. Also used the keyboard that came with Mac Pro but didn't work nor did a wired logitech.
    any ideas?
    Thanks!

    +What is the source of the idea that the mac aluminum keyboard won't work with the mini?+
    Dozens of reports in this forum over the past year.
    Keep in mind that by "not working" what was meant was that the startup keys wouldn't work. The Alu keyboard otherwise works fine with the Mini.
    It has also been reported that the Alu Keyboard does work for startup keys if it is plugged into a hub with an external power supply.

  • Pismo won't boot from install disks

    Hi! I've looked to find the answer elsewhere, but no luck... apologies if this has already been answered.
    I have a Powerbook G3 Pismo which I now need to use to run Hypercard. (Yes!)
    It has been sitting unused for over a year.
    It didn't start up.
    I found an article that explained how to remove the PRAM battery. I did so. It starts up fine when connected to power.
    I have ordered a new PRAM battery, but it hasn't arrived yet. I decided to go ahead and try to get it to boot.
    When I powered up, I got the alternating icon saying it couldn't find an installed system.
    I guessed that the hard drive had become corrupt, so I rebooted into Target Disk mode. It worked!
    I connected it via FireWire to a MacBook Pro. The Pismo did show up as an external firewire hard drive. Good!
    Using OS X Disk Utility, I erased the Pismo drive.
    I couldn't decide whether to use OS X Extended, or OS X Extended (Journaled).
    I didn't know about any options to install drivers for OS 9, so I probably did the wrong thing. (Pismo can boot into either OS 9 or OS X, I think.)
    I tried to fix this later (see below).
    I disconnected the Firewire and shut down.
    I finally got the Pismo to boot up from a MacWarrior CD (a 3rd-party disk utility that fixes directory problems). I used it to fix the directory.
    It still wouldn't boot from the original disks that came with the Pismo. The optical reader whirred away, I got a blank gray screen, it whirred again, I got another blank gray screen, but the cursor never showed up in the upper left corner. After half an hour, it had made no progress.
    I reconnected the Pismo to the Macbook Pro using Firewire.
    I tried to install Tiger on the Pismo using my officially purchased, large-box Tiger software. The Macbook Pro mounted the disk, but when I ran the installer, it told me I couldn't install Tiger on this machine (the Macbook Pro, duh!) and only gave me the option to quit.I thought that I could use an all-model install disk to install OS X on ANY external hard drive! What gives???!???
    I tried to boot from the AppleCare Protection Plan's TechTool Deluxe.
    It seemed to be booting fine into 9.1. Yippee!
    It halted with a System Error (address error) telling me to restart holding down the Shift key.
    I do so. It seemed to be booting fine into 9.1 again, Extensions Off.
    But it halted with the same System Error.
    I read about OS 9 drivers and went back into Disk Utility using the Macbook Pro.
    Using Firewire to access my Pismo hard drive, I re-erased everything and made the partition have an Apple Partition Map.
    I did not see any option to check or uncheck that mentioned installing OS 9 drivers. Did I miss it? Was it not there because I'm using a recent version of Disk Utility?
    Same problems. Can't boot from the original Pismo "Software Restore" or "Software Install" disks, nor the TechTool Deluxe...
    VERY FRUSTRATING! Have I tried everything? Has the hard drive gone bad?
    Any help would be appreciated.

    My new PRAM battery has been installed. I reset PRAM by doing a command-option-P-R.
    The problem remains, but it's getting more consistent, which I guess is progress. With the Pismo connected to AC power (all my batteries are, of course, dead by now), the following has happened:
    When I start up with the Tiger installation disk, everything goes smoothly, the gray Apple logo appears, and then, suddenly, a flurry of white text on an irregular black background floods the screen. Darwin says there's a kernel panic and they're in a loop ("we are hanging here").
    When I start up with the original Software Restore disk, the blank gray screen blinks, turns a different shade of gray, the cursor arrow shows up in the upper left-hand corner, and it hangs. The cursor arrow doesn't respond to the trackpad; it's frozen.
    When I start with the original Software Install disk, the same sequence takes place, but there is no cursor arrow that shows up. It just has the gray screen, a blink with a slightly different shade of gray, then it hangs.
    The behavior is exactly the same for all 3 disks (respectively) when I use the MacBook Pro to start up:
    Insert Pismo or Tiger disk into MacBook Pro (counterintuitively).
    Start up the Pro in Target mode. Connect to Pismo using Firewire cable.
    Start up Pismo. Pismo takes awhile to notice the Firewire disk, but eventually does.
    Then it tries to use the disk in the Pro, but ends up acting case-by-case as it did when each disk was in the Pismo's drive (kernel panic hanging, gray screen with arrow, gray screen without arrow).
    Helllllp!
    My last chance will be to take a hard drive from a defunct ice iBook (dual USB) and use it to replace the factory-supplied Pismo drive. That iBook was a G4; the Pismo is a G3 (I believe). If there has developed a deep, difficult problem with the Pismo's hard drive, hopefully this will solve it:
    I will try to boot from the iBook-drive-in-the-Pismo. I doubt this will work. If it does, great! If not...
    I will try to boot from the Tiger installation disk, and if that works, try to install the Tiger software on it.
    If that doesn't work, I will try to boot from the Software Restore and the Software Install disks.
    If that doesn't work, I give up!!!! Unless someone here has a better idea.

  • Can't repair disk/Won't boot from install disk

    Apologies in advance for how not-tech savvy I am.
    I was trying to create a partition using bootcamp but the partition failed and it told me to repair disk using disk utility.
    When I try to boot from the install dvd by holding down C the computer just gets stuck in a loop. It turns on, chimes, makes a whurring noise and then restarts again. I can select the install disk by holding down the option key but it does the same thing. If I try to safe boot it comes up with a flashing folder and a question mark.
    (Also, the install disk I'm using is not the one that came with this computer, but a OS X 10.5.4 that came with our iMac. Don't know if that would make a difference?)
    I downloaded the techtool deluxe that comes with applecare, and it says there's a problem with the volume structure, but when I try to repair using techtool it says the disk cannot be repaired and only gives me the option to start over.
    Message was edited by: lizrd91

    You would have to be booting from either a newer version retail OS X 10 install DVD
    than whatever your computer shipped with, or that original specific disc set it first had.
    No other computer's model/build specific restore-install disc set can do this job, since
    it would not be correct and can't boot the computer. The wrong software set is on it.
    There may be some way to attempt to boot into Single User mode and try fsck...
    • Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417
    • OSXFAQ - Technical stuff for OS X: how to use 'fsck'
    http://www.osxfaq.com/dailytips/07-2002/07-31.ws
    There are odd instances where users have applied incorrect use of Boot Camp
    to install a Windows version in their Mac, and in so doing, erased or damaged
    the OS X partition on their computer's hard disk drive. This is why it is a great
    idea to perform maintenance and also keep a complete bootable OS X clone
    on an externally enclosed hard disk drive, of the Mac's system & apps.
    If you had a current version of DiskWarrior on its own disc media, that may be
    able to help fix or restore some file system issues in a hard disk drive.
    Perhaps there is more you can do, but frankly if I wanted Windows, there are
    tons of old PCs out there awaiting recycle from which to choose. (Not 4 me!)
    Good luck & happy computing!
    +{PS: Hi there in the down-under ... from here, in the up-over!}+

  • Macbook won't boot from install disks

    I have tried to boot my sisters macbook the other day from her install disks so I could use disk utility to repair her disks (I think there is a problem with the block count) so I inserted the CD and held 'C' on startup and I got to the grey screen for about 10 seconds but then the computer went black, chimed again and gave me the same screen and kept repeating until I let go of 'C' where it booted from the hard drive. The problem is not the CD as I tried to boot from another leopard install disk. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks

    Reboot holding down the shift key until you see the spinning cog. When the desktop finally appears (it will take a good while) launch DU and Repair Disk. Then empty the Trash. Then reboot. Then try again to boot from the (correct) OS installer DVD (not a CD).

  • MacBook with new HD won't boot from Install Disk

    Hi there,
    My MacBook's HD went on me the other day - froze computer, grey screen, flashing question mark, loud beep, etc. I bought a new HD, installed it without any problems (I thought!), but now I can't get the computer to start with the original Install Disk. On start-up, I have a light grey screen, and can hear the fan running, but that's it. At one point, on start-up while holding down the D key, I got the Language selection menu, but my cursor was frozen in the left hand corner and I couldn't do anything but restart. Now nothing comes up or else I get the "You need to restart your computer...." message on a grey screen.
    Any ideas how I can get the Install Disk with Disk Utilities to work?
    Thanks .....
    Message was edited by: jomimata
    Message was edited by: jomimata

    Unfortunately, it sounds like you have a hardware problem beyond the hard drive. Even if there was no hard drive installed at all, you should still be able to startup from the the original install disk. Do you hear a "chime" at startup? If not, then you definitely have a hardware problem. You should take your MacBook into a local Apple store and make an appointment with the Mac Genius (or another local Apple Authorized Service provider). If you can't startup from the original install disk by holding down on the "c" key or holding down on the "option" key and then selecting the install disk, you have a hardware problem that can't be resolved with troubleshooting here.
    -Doug

  • Macbook pro won't boot after installing update 10.9.3

    macbook pro won't boot after installing update 10.9.3

    Please read this whole message before doing anything.
    This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
    The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode.
    Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a Fusion Drive or a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
    Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.
    The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
    Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
    After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

  • G5 gets grey screen with logo then goes black, won't boot from any disk

    Won't boot from any disk, already changed VRAM battery, no success. tried hardware disk once and ran a full scan, said error with Video, but now won't boot at all with any disk. Screen is choppy also(have pic). Thinking video graphics card? Not sure. Need help!

    Hi bribiel, and a warm welcome to the forums!
    It certainly sounds like the Video card from the little info we have, & that can certainly cause it to fail to bootup.

  • New iMAC. TRIED TO INSTALL LEOPARD. EJECTS CD. WON'T BOOT OFF INSTALL CD

    WHAT A NIGHTMARE!New iMac came today-- with antique software. Tiger installed from factory-- and way out of date. Leopard DVD included in box-- tried to install- just keeps ejecting the CD when trying to do the reboot. 2.5 hours on the phone with overseas Apple support (ha!)-- machine will not boot from install CD's (either Leopard or Tiger). Keeps ejecting the cd.
    What crap. ANybody else have this problem? I bought a mac because I didn't want to fight sw issues. Boy was this a mistake.
    Any advice appreciated, or I'm sending the POS back to Apple get a refund and buy a Dell.

    l8_apexer wrote:
    what would you think of ordering a machine based on seeing it demoed with Leopard-- only to have it shipped from the factory in China with Tiger-- and first thing it does is look for softwre updates-- and find over 150MB of updates it wants to install-- -within its first 15 minutes of being powered up????
    If that's not shipping a machine with old software- I don't know what is.
    What's the fuss about apple anyway? Shipping machines that don't have current sw loaded, won't boot from install DVDs, and then tell the customer that it will take two weeks to replace the unit-- or I can drive to an APple store (with gas at 3.25 a gallon which is an hour away) and maybe they can fix it, but not sure if the parts are available?
    Has anybody else had this problem?
    I would ask for a new machine with Leopard pre-installed which is what you expected to get and paid for. I can only assume it's an older machine since the new ones do come with Leopard installed.
    My opinion, for what it's worth is to return it and ask for the new Leopard version.

  • I can't boot from instalation disk need help

    can anyone tell me why i can't boot from instalation disk
    i burn a DVD with verified iso with MD5 with Nero Express

    i use burn image , of course and
    i have a Sempron +2400 with asus a7s8x mainboard
    and i download all 5 file for DVD x86 and then i copy /b all this files.
    when computer boot from cd the screen is bleu with Solaris ................ v.20 message and after 1 second message became
    Aolaris ..................v.20 and computer remain in this position

  • New HDD installed in PowerBook G3, won't boot from installation disk.

    I just installed a new hard drive in my G3 Wallstreet and I can't get it to boot from the original Apple CD.
    I've tried holding the C key as well as +⌥+⇧+⌫, but to no avail.
    The CD tests fine in my old iMac G4, so maybe the culprit is the optical drive, but then again, I'm not so sure.
    Is there a way to either boot my PowerBook or install OSX from my iMac G4?
    Message was edited by: rick268 Also, I can boot into Open Firmware just fine.

    Thanks for your help.
    WeLoveMacs wanted $50, but I just scored an entire topcase on eBay for $15, shipped. We'll see what happens.
    Allan Jones wrote:
    I maintatined three Wallstreets for a friend for years. They stayed in regular service from new until he replaced them with MacBook Pros last summer!
    In the years of keeping the old soldiers almost relavent, I ran into a "won't boot from a system disk" issue on two of them. In both cases, replacing a dead PRAM battery fixed the issue. Don't ask me why but that was the only thing that fixed them.
    When I was supporting those, you could still get new Wallstreet batteries from Other World Computing. Today they no longer show them. I'm not sure where to steer your for a new one. USed batteries are like used chewing gum, IMHO.
    You can try disconecting the wire from the PRAM battery to the logic board. That might help. Requires some take-down:
    http://www.ifixit.com/Device/PowerBook_G3_Wallstreet

Maybe you are looking for