G4 flat panel won't boot

when booting it just stalls on the loading screen and stays with the blue bar forever! I tried disk repair, it said there was no problem....any help?
mc

Hello Again MC!
Is this issue, related to the Mac, in your other Topic Tiger cd install error?
If so, as I posted there:
The Full Retail Version, of the Tiger Install Disc is a DVD.
"...every time I get to disk 4..."
You have written that you are using CDs.
Are those CDs Model Specific system discs, that shipped with another Mac model, that say "This software is part of a hardware bundle purchase - not to be sold seperately." on them?
ali b

Similar Messages

Imac G4 flat panel won;t boot

screen won't come on when I start, instead of the familiar start chime I get two beeps when I attempt to start.
Tried to start in safe mode, reset pram and I still get a black screen and two beeps with the power light indicator blinking.
OSX 10.4.11, wireless keyboard
Message was edited by: Gary Tate
Message was edited by: Gary Tate

well I went and removed the 256 ram in the bottom and the computer booted sucessfully.
So from this can I say it's is either the ram or the bank on the logic board holding the user installed ram is bad (requiring a new logic board?)
Will have to find a good set of ram somewhere to install and see if it boots, thus showing the ram I took out is bad.....????
Thanks for the help

IMac (15in flat panel) won't stay on

Hi, I have an 15in flat panel iMac that will shut off almost immediately after you turn it on. The computer and the screen both turn on for a few seconds and shut down. It seems as if the computer just loses power after you turn it on. I have replaced the power cord and reset the PMU. Could it be an issue with the PRAM battery? If it is how do you fix it?

Welcome to Discussions Nate - what you are having are called Kernel Panics and here is a link to Dr Smoke's Resolving Kernel Panics which should give you some help. If his suggestions don't work, you will have to take your computer in for repairs.
Do let us know how things work out,
Miriam

Imac (Flat Panel) won't let me reboot from anything but hard drive! HELP !!

I was given an iMac flatpanel. Trying to erase hard drive and reinstall OS 10.2. The computer will not let me reboot from ANY cd or dvd. Tried everything, including an external firewire dvd-rom, and putting my macbook pro in target mode. (the message is that the imac doesn't recognize the HD and wants to initialize it!) I've zapped the PRAM, started in safe mode, I'M EXHAUSTED! Any idea how I can reinitialize the HD and start over?
Steve

Squigles wrote:
I had the same problem when I first had a MacBook, some company here in the UK wanted to charge £140 for collecting it resetting the firmware password and returning the MacBook to me. Some one sent me the instructions you see above, it worked and saved me a few ££.
Care to name and shame them?
I like to know who to avoid and who not to recommend.
mrtotes

IMac G4 800 won't boot

Hi,
My old G4 iMac flat panel won't boot (Spec and OS below). When you turn it on it gets stuck on the grey screen and nothing happens. I've tried holding down shift to get a safe boot but that doesn't work. I've then tried using the OS install disk to access disk utility but that doesn't work. Just the same grey screen. Now you can't use the power button to force it to turn off, you have to switch it off at the mains.
Any help please!
Spec
iMac G4 800 MHZ 767 gigs Ram
OS 10.2.8
Thanks

Hello Again Reelsick Productions!
As I Previously Replied, in your Other Topic;
What size is the Hard Drive, and how much space is available?
How much RAM is installed, and is it original or added?
What peripherals do you have connected? A keyboard, mouse, printer, external drive or modem, router, etc?
What happened between the last time the iMac started successfully, and when it didn't?
Have you made any changes, like upgrading the system, updated or installed any applications or programs, etc?
Have there been any unusual occurences, like freezes, crashes, power outages, etc?
Are you able to startup from the system install disc using John Huber's Startup Manager suggestion to run Repair Disk?
Is the iMac shutdown overnight, or does it run 24/7?
Have you ever run any routine Maintenance procedures?
ali b

Cannot get MacPro to allow me to boot to an alternative boot disk. Can choose in control panel but will not use the disk to boot. Also won't boot using disk selected using option key

My primary boot disk is encrypted as is a secondary boot disk (backup) but I cannot boot using any other disk. System 10.8.5, MacPro 4.1.
All disks mount using primary boot disk. All disks check out as OK and I have repaired permissions.
When I choose in the control panel the Mac boots but will always use my original boot disk.
When I select the disk using the option key at startup, the boot process stalls with a grey screen and a spinning cursor.
Thanks,
Dave

Still trying to figure this out. I erased the drive, did a format using disk util and then re-installed the system but I still cannot get the disk used as a startup drive. I also tried an external firewire drive and it won't allow me to boot from it either.
I can choose it starting up with the option key but it just gives me a blue screen and the spinning cursor.
If I select it in the startup pref pane it boots into my other startup drive only.
DaveLon

Flat Screen imac iMac won't boot up, will not boot from DVD

My 24" imac flat screen will not boot. I only get a blank gray/white screen. Reset the PRAM and tried to boot from the DVD. I held the C key down when I powered on but the system will not boot from the DVD. If I wait long enough, the DVD will eventually be ejected. I have had HD issues and Disk Warrior indicated that the drive was damaged. Will a dead hard drive cause the system to not boot from the DVD? Is there any way to get the system to boot from my DVD?

Hello PMcDer,
Welcome to Apple Discussions!
By what you are describing you're correct in believing your drive is probably gone. The sad news... if Disk utility can no longer see the drive, your ability to retrieve any data off of it is getting slim.
There are a couple of options for data retrieval.
1. If you still have Apple Care have them fix it. But make sure they know that you do not have a backup.
2. If you do not have Apple Care, have an Authorized Apple Tech replace the drive and make sure that they will give you back the old drive. This may prove to be a challenge. Or you can replace the drive yourself. It is not easy for some but take your time and you'll have no problems. Lots of youtube videos on this as well as on-line tutorials.
3. You could try a Hard Disk Utility program like Disk Warrior to see if it can help, but it's not free.
4. You could pay someone big bucks for Data recovery in order to get the data of the drive for you.
If you decided to do the HDD swap yourself. You could purchase a 3.5" firewire enclosure that you could put your old drive into once you do the swap. Plug it into the iMac and prey that it recognizes it. Then "MAYBE" you could copy the data over to the new drive, but that is a stretch.

Upgrading Imac g4 flat panel 800 mhz

I decided to post this information here because a lot of people are wondering how do i go about upgrading a macintosh imac g4 A.K.A Ilamp as it is known in the mac community.
Well this tutorial will walk you through a basic configuration that i recently did that seem's to work very well.
Item's you will need.
1. mac os x tiger 10.4
2. A external cd-rom/dvd-rom
3. a 7200 rpm 250 gig hard drive
4. 1 stick 512 meg's pc133 sdram
5. 1 stick 512 meg's pc133 so-dimm for laptop memory slot at base of imac
6. a new and faster dvd-drive (i used a light scribe)
So after installing all of the hardware in my imac.
I ran into a problem it has to do with the imac firmware update for mac os x tiger to be installed..
The built in dvd-drive wouldn't eject i thought it was a bad drive come to find out the drive won't eject without a os on the machine.
so i needed a external usb/firewire cd/dvd-drive to boot the tiger installation and install tiger well after installing tiger from the external cd/dvd-drive i noticed the drive ejected and worked fine but i knew that if i wanted to burn anything i would need to install a new drive.
so i purchased a new lightscribe drive.
installed it.
after that my system specs are
Imac g4 800 mhz
1 gig ram
250 gig hard drive
52x lightscribe DVD
running mac os x 10.4.11
it really just depends on how much you want to spend to upgrade i found that this configuration works great for media streaming.

what kind of HD did you get for it? I'm still waiting on buying the right one. version that can be installed in these older lamp macs of ours. I know it needs to be an IDE drive. Is that the same as an ATA drive? i know that the new systems now are SATA.i happened to call apple one day and they said that my G4 flat panel uses ATA-6 drives. i do a search for those drives on newegg.com and all that comes up are notebook drives. so what kind of HD do i get?

Satellite m300 won't boot! please help!

Hi,
I've got a bit of an issue here.. I have a Satellite m300.. a white one..
and it won't boot... I've had this very issue before but it turned out to be an external USB HDD that stopped it from booting up but now even with everything removed it still won't boot.
And it was fine until yesterday, it just gave up.. I am away from home for work so I have all the work stuff and unfortunately without my recovery cd, but my guess is that it won't even read it..
So this is what happens..
turn on..
all light come on.. including power and all the white lights around the keypad..
and then maybe 5 sedconds later caplock and numlock(?) green lights flash..
then it's a dead still.. no HDD activities or sound.. just dead quite..
the screen remains black blank through out..
it seems to get stuck here before reaching the post screen.
i thought the power button usually took more than just a push to turn off? it instantly swithces off with a single push of the power button..
I think this laptop is like on sleep or something and can't seem to wak up.. maybe?
And it has vista.
Please help.. I have some important work files I need to recover at least before formatting..
and that has to wait till I get home which won't be for a month or so..
which also lets me take it back for warranty as well..
any help appreciated!!!
cheers,
Min

Quote
Originally posted by syar2003
If running a LCD display with DVI connection , try to hook it up with
an analog VGA cable.
Can also be that the motherboard fails to initialize the vga AGP card.
Turn off all power incl. AC .
Disconnect all devices from motherboard : AGP/memory/drives/floppy/USB/PCI cards etc. take out the 20pin & 4pin PSU connectors and reset the motherboards
cmos .
Assemble PSU connectors ,only one DIMM module and graphics card and turn it on and se if you get a post .
Just removed all components. I reset the CMOS. I then reconnected the 20pin and 4pin, 1 stick ram, and the video card (no ide devices, no mouse, keyboard cd drives) and the monitor doesn't show up. I also tried another monitor so it isn't the monitor.
Could it have a bad AGP port?
Any other suggestions? I am thouroughly stumped. Also the power and reset buttons don't work no matter what configuaration I put the front panel connectors in. The Power LED is lit up and it doesn't work and the reset light is off and it doesn't work.
Also noticed one of my fans connected to one of the two other fan pins on the motherboard isn't working.
What a nightmare.

Mixing RAM Speeds In iMac G4 1GHz 17" Flat-Panel?

I'm just checking here.
I have an iMac G4 1GHz 17" Flat-Panel, Model M8935LL/A (USB 1.1 version) that currently has the standard 256MB PC2100 (266 MHz) RAM module installed in the factory slot, and a 512MB PC2700 (333 MHz) RAM module installed in the bottom (user-accessible) slot. I bought the machine direct from Apple, so despite the "official" spec (which calls for PC2100 RAM in both slots), it's obvious that Apple knows PC2700 RAM will work in that machine. My understanding is that the faster PC2700 RAM simply downclocks to accommodate the lower 266 MHz bus speed of the M8935LL/A. As I understand the DDR SDRAM spec, any DDR SDRAM (PC1600 through PC3200) module will simply overclock or underclock to accommodate the host bus speed...but feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken on that point.
I'm fixing to upgrade the hard drive to a larger capacity model. I've done it before, so I know it's no picnic. Since I have to go past the factory RAM slot anyway to change the hard drive, I figure I might as well upgrade the internal RAM to the full 1GB limit. (Yes...I know Apple says you can't exceed 512MB in either slot, so please—no remonstrances about sticking to Apple's spec. The spec is wrong.)
Obviously, it's possible to mix the two RAM speeds between the two slots, since Apple shipped the computer that way. Here are my questions:
• Is there any downside to going the other way when I upgrade the RAM—that is, putting a 1GB PC2700 (184-pin) module in the factory slot, and a 1GB PC2100 (200-pin) module in the user slot? The reason I ask is because my preferred supplier (OWC) can't supply me with both modules in the same speed.
• Is there any performance advantage in both modules being the same speed—that is, both PC2100 or both PC2700? If not, I'll just buy the one of each speed that OWC has available.
Thanks!

jjw wrote:
So, you know have 2Gb available in your flat screen imac?
Yes indeed—2GB confirmed as available by Apple System Profiler. Both modules are PC2700. Everything is working fine.
I guess I can understand why Apple discourages users from replacing the 184-pin "factory slot" module. There's not a whole lot of slack in the motherboard connector cables, so it's best to disconnect them in order to get the bottom section to lie flat on the workbench. I suppose some folks might be hesitant about disconnecting things, but it's really quite simple, and involves only three connectors. After having changed the hard drive a few years ago, replacing the RAM was a piece of cake by comparison.
A word of caution to anyone who's going to attempt it, though. There are TWO heat sink interfaces between the bottom section (where the motherboard is mounted) and the top dome. Those heat sink surfaces are coated with thermal paste at the factory, but the compound dries out over time, becoming a rubbery membrane between the heat sink surfaces. Once you separate the top and bottom sections, the membrane rips apart, and the firm connection between the heat sink surfaces is permanently gone. It's a bad idea to simply put them back together after you change the RAM module; you won't get a good thermal connection.
The solution is to scrape all of the old rubbery compound off all four surfaces (two on the bottom and two on the top section). I did it with a piece of PVC, but you can use anything with a sharp edge that won't scratch the metal surface—even your fingernails will work, unless the old compound has dried out to the point where it's hard. After you scrape the old gunk off, apply new thermal paste to all four surfaces.
The other maintenance item you can perform while you're in there is cleaning out all the dust, which accumulates in vast quantities and interferes with cooling. I vacuumed it out with a plastic crevice tool, being careful NOT to touch any of the components with the tool. Vacuuming can build up a static charge on the tool, especially in dry environments, and high static voltages aren't friendly to microprocessors. I used a securely grounded anti-static wrist strap throughout the entire operation, and even wrapped it around the vacuum tool.
Good luck!

Superdrive replacement in flat panel iMac

I have seen this addressed in bits and pieces on many different forums, so I figured it was about time to try and get this information in a place where it could be easily found.
The problems encountered by many iMac G4 flat panel users with their superdrives seem to have only one common solution.......replacement of the drive.
There are numerous fixes that at best are temporary solutions to a problem that will only get worse until the drive fails completely.
This model iMac seems to be extremely susceptable to the accumulation of dust, which in turn causes the internal parts to overheat, which probably leads to premature failure of the laser components of the drive.
In 10.4, the common error is related to laser power calibration failure, in which the laser is unable to either read or write to the disk in order to determine the correct write speed for that disk.
Earlier versions list similar problems, but the wording is different.
Using a different type of media can be a temporary solution, if the problem is just beginning, but at best, probably a few burns is all you will get.
Using a lens cleaner will help in some cases, but also temporarily if internal dust is the culprit.
Other solutions, including burning to a disk image, then using disk utility to burn the dvd will also work, occasionally, as will creating a new user account.
The ultimate solution is replacement of the optical drive, and a good internal cleaning of the iMac.
Cleaning alone may solve the problem, however, since you already have the unit disassembled, and the optical drive removed for proper cleaning, it is best to go ahead and replace the drive, since the newer, dual layer, 16x drives are relatively inexpensive, some for under $40.00 US. Also a good time to install that new HD since it is removed along with the optical assembly, and even a little extra ram.
You should be aware that doing this yourself will no doubt conflict with Applecare, if you have it, but on older models without the warranty, most people should be able to do this themselves.
This URL .......http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/iMacg4/imacg4takeapart.html...........provides a take apart guide and step by step directions to replacing the components, and is very easy to follow. Make sure that if you don't have a second computer, that you print these pages prior to beginning disassembly of your iMac.
It is really not as complicated as it looks, and if you have any mechanical ability, and a little patience, it can be easily done within an hour.
Also be aware that if you install a dual layer drive, You will not be able to access the dual layer feature in iDvd unless you install a patch from this website........http://www.hardmac.com/niouzcontenu.php?date=2005-05-26#4090.............the file name is MBiDVD4ALLDUAL.sit.
This will allow you to use those dual layer disks with iDvd.
There are numerous drives that will work in your flat panel iMac, personally, I installed the Pioneer 110D, and so far, it has worked perfectly, including burning the dual layer disks.
The 110 is actually slightly smaller than the original drive, and was easier to install, than the other model was to remove. Most drives are standardized in size, and all mounting screws positioned in the same place, so as long as the drive you choose is not larger than your original, it should work.
I hope this helps a few of you out, I know about the time I spent searching for answers before finally giving up and just buying the new drive.
You sure won't regret being able to burn at 16x, or getting those ninety minute movies on one disk.
Good Luck
Pazuita

Hello Pazuita,
I think you meant to post this in the imac area of the Discussion forum, this is the Feedback forum.
The info you have complied would be best posted there.
Eme :~{)

Startup Manager displays Mac HD but won't boot to it

I have a 2008 MacPro (2x2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon) that has been successfully running Bootcamp for a couple years with a Windows XP partition and a Mac 10.5~ partition (actually I can't remember if it was 10.6 or 10.5). We recently made a new partition for Windows 7. (This is in a classroom full of identicle MacPros, but noteably, the problem machine is the teacher's station).
As of today, the MacPro no longer boots into the Mac OS partition. It boots, by default, into Windows XP every time. Holding down option on start up brings up the Startup Manager, and the Mac HD is visible, and you can click on it or tab to select it, but then nothing happens. We tried a bootable external hard drive, but had the same problem with the Startup Manager and an inability to select anything (the keyboard and mouse both seem to work) but nothing happens when you click on your selection.
Once booted into XP, you can see the "Mac HD" option in the Boot Camp Control Panel. You can select it, but then the computer boots back into XP.
I did get the computer to start up off a Mac OS Snow Leopard install CD by holding "C" on start up. I ran "Repair Disk" using Disk Utility and found no problems. I tried repairing the disk permissions, and although they seemed fine.
I tried zapping the PRAM but there was no effect (booted into XP).
I unplugged the computer for a few minutes to reset the "NVRAM". No effect.
I tried different key combinations to attempt to boo in Safe Mode, Single User Mode, Verbose Mode, and none of those things worked, the computer booted straight into Windows XP every time.
I tried holding "d" for a hardware test, but nothing happened. Do you need to be on the internet for this? Because, I also tried, based on some suggestions I saw online, unplugging all peripherals (like our bootable firewire drive) and ethernet cables and not using a third party mouse. No effect.
Finally, I let the Snow Leopar install CD install, and although it seemed successful this had absouletly no effect. It still boots straight into Windows XP. Granted, I did not delete everything for a clean install, as I'm not sure the files are backed up anywhere.

""To update anyone watching this, we tried putting the hard drive in a different machine and still had the same boot issues,""
Are you saying that the questionable HD was put in another computer and THAT computer had the same issue as the Professors?
If so I would just backup and erase the hard drive, reformat and reinstall everything as something buggered up the Boot Manager and your going to take more time figuring it out as to redo everything.
I don't think the HD is going out but you MAY have some bad sectors on the Mac partition, if that's the problem then the bad sector might be in the bootable part and thats why it can't boot. If you want to save the HD have a disk utility do a Surface Scan to make sure.
As far as not being able to boot into Safe mode, etc, if it had a bad sector it won't be able to read the boot part which is why you can still boot into the Install DVD.
You know, looking back at your original post if you can't boot into safe mode while pressing the Shift Key after the bong, can't boot from an external HD or any of the other ways, then I would say it's a hardware problem.
Like I mentioned before, if you can put in another Dual boot HD from another machine into the Professors machine and it still won't boot into both OS's then you have confirmed it's a hardware problem.
Good luck...

Need to force CD/DVD drawer open on G4 flat panel iMac

Anybody know how to "force-open" the CD drawer on a flat panel iMac (G4 hemispherical base)? This one has a quirk - the eject button won't open the CD drawer until the OS has completely loaded. I just used software upgrade to update some apps and on restart, all I get is the spinning gear. I need to startup from the system CD, but I can't get the drawer open to insert it. Any ideas?

Hello and Welcome to Apple
Discussions.
You'll have to use the Open
Firmware method that a brody links to in his post
above.
The manual button to open the drive is
hidden on the iMac G4 and so not an option.
mrtotes
Since I'm getting a blank blue screen, Open Firmware is not an option. Any other ideas?

IMac 18" G4 Flat Panel - Tiger 10.4.9 Install Crashing

Newbie to this forum coz I've never had a problem with my iMac since I bought it new all those years ago. I got Final Cut Pro as a gift and needed to upgrade from 10.2.8 as supplied with my iMac to 10.4 according to the FCP instructions, so I duly bought 10.4.9 generic which I am trying to install.
As soon as the machine restarts with the OS install disk 1 in the drive it crashed with a kernel error telling me something about not finding Power PC 6.1?
According the the Apple website this OS should install on this machine. The iMac is an 18" flat panel with 768MB RAM and 60GB of free disk space, Power PC G4 1Ghz.
Since the OS install discs are generic and not specifically for one type of computer in particular, can anyone suggest what may be the root of the problem and how to fix it?
Look forward.
Tx
Tiff

Your gray install DVD won't work.
Tiger install DVDs are in short supply. Tiger is no longer available from Apple. For other sources, do a Google search for MA453Z/A (10.4.6), MA190Z/A (10.4.3) and M9639Z/A (10.4) . Also look on eBay. Be sure & buy a retail version (black with silver X) and not a model specific version (gray). Expect to pay (possibly a lot) more than the Apple list price of $129.
Also check this web store http://www.lacomputercompany.com/cgi-bin/rpcart/index.cgi?command=dispitem&type= sku&sku=19521
Here's the link for the 10.4.11 combo update http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24901?viewlocale=en_US
Look at this link Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger Installing Software Support Page
http://www.apple.com/support/tiger/install/
You can also download the Tiger Installation and Setup Guide
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/TigerInstall_SetupGuide.pdf
When you upgrade the OS, do it via Archive & Install. See About the Archive and Install feature http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1710
 Cheers, Tom

Upgrading the HD in a 700MHz iMac G4 Flat Panel

I want to upgrade my iMac to a bigger HD. I was told these older iMacs
can only read up to 160GB hard drive and it needs to be an IDE drive? Is this true?
What's the largest capacity I can go on an older iMac such as mine? Thanks.

Hey S'berry,
Unfortunately your 700 will only take up to a 128GB drive but according to:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/imac-g4-flat-panel-faq/imac-g4-how-to -upgrade-hard-drive-use-big-drives.html
"Officially, Apple says that Macs running MacOS X 10.2 or higher released after June 2002 can use "big drives" -- those larger than 128 GB -- which would exclude the original iMac G4/700 (Flat Panel) and G4/800 (Flat Panel) models. However, third-parties have discovered that all iMac G4 models will support big drives running MacOS X 10.2 or later. For earlier versions of the MacOS -- including MacOS 9 -- a third-party driver, such as those from Intech or GenThree are required to use hard drives larger than 128 GB."
You could talk to OWC about this:
http://www.macsales.com/
I remember not bothering w/ this and using a 128 GB boot drive and then using larger FireWire externals which were not subject to the restrictions.
This might have changed w/ improvements in that software solution so talk to OWC.
Also in answer to you question about wireless look at my last post here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2365560&tstart=0
Your machine will take the original Airport card. Here's one on eBay:
http://tinyurl.com/yf6qm4y
or pick one nearer to your location or on Craig's.
Richard

G4 flat panel won't boot

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