G5 Boots to Open firmware on Startup every time.
I have a 2004 model Dual 1.8GHz 2.2Gbs RAM. The problem is that it keeps booting into Open Firmware. Once it gets to Open Firmware and i can mac-boot and start up off the Tiger disc, but I can't get it to find an external firewire OS. I don't have a hard drive in there at the moment but that should not effect this issue, Although I can see the firewire 800 in disk utilities but not on the Firewire 400. And still no Start up folder when i go to startup disk 800 or 400. If I put a hard drive in which i will when the new one arrives I believe i will be able to start up with it but I still think that it might boot into Open Firmware again. (I think a bus is bad maybe the Firewire bus if it is can't I bypass it somehow? so that is won't boot into Open Firmware.
Note: everything passes Hardware Test
I have Reset PRAM and NVRAM Rest all
(Sorry this is in here twice - I'm pretty experienced with Macs and PCs but a little new at message boards - pls forgive)
Had the same problem. I took mine into a "Mac Genius" at the retail store and he thought he had fixed it by rebuilding the directory. It booted and shut down perfectly while in the store. When I got home it was went right back to booting into open firmware.
I figured out by accident that the reason it was booting fine in the store was because he was using a cheap SVGA monitor on the DVI output - not the ADB connector I use with my older Apple monitor. Note that Apple has phased these type of connectors out. It gave me a great excuse to upgrade my monitor to a 20" cinema display and everything is working great (can't believe how I've deprived myself all these years).
If you have an older monitor that uses an ADB connector, try a different monitor that uses the DVI output on your video card. Even a DVI-VGA adapter (one probably came with your computer) with a VGA monitor is sufficient for testing. If your computer boots up, it's either the older monitor, or the ADB output on the video card that is bad. There is no easy way to know where the actual problem resides (the Geniuses couldn't tell me - they have no monitors in the store with ADB connectors), but I can tell you that my computer is working fine now. I do know that the ADB connector ran power, USB and video all together and that seems to be the reason they quit using them. The newer desktops have only 2 DVI outputs (instead of 1 ADB + 1 DVI), while the new monitors run power, USB and video separately.
Hope that helps,
Jeff
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PowerBook G4 boots to Open Firmware without keyboard access
Summary:
Let me provide a little backstory.
According to the [DARPA Visitor Guidelines|http://www.darpa.mil/body/visitor_guidelines.html] wireless network technology is prohibited from DARPA facilities. Laptops with a wireless card are required to be "disabled at the BIOS level".
Before an upcoming visit to DARPA I was told that I would need to make sure my laptop wireless card was disabled. I mentioned that Macs don't have BIOS but I'd look into doing it in Open Firmware. The response from DARPA was that no one has ever successfully brought an Apple laptop into the facility, and that I should procure a PC laptop for my visit. Ah, a challenge!
I booted into Open Firmware (⌘⌥OF), located the wireless card in the device tree, and removed two properties I figured the driver would be searching for: the vendor ID, and the product ID. I exited Open Firmware and continued to boot into Mac OS X v10.5.2.
Sure enough the System Profiler showed that no wireless card was installed. Success! Now I just need to make the device tree modifications persist between reboots.
It seemed the solution was to place the Open Firmware commands I issued to disable the card into nvramrc. So I set nvramrc to contain the same commands, and set use-nvramrc? to be true. I rebooted the machine but the card was still detected.
A bit [more research|http://docs.sun.com/app/docs/doc/805-4436/6j4719c8v?a=view] revealed that the device tree is not created by Open Firmware until after the nvramrc is executed. The solution is to build the device tree in the nvramrc and tell Open Firmware not to rebuild it. The documentation states that this is accomplished with the probe-all, install-console, and banner Forth commands. I added those commands to my nvramrc and rebooted. The contents of nvramrc:
probe-all install-console banner
dev wireless
" device-id" delete-property
" vendor-id" delete-property
The outcome... well technically the laptop has wireless disabled. Almost everything is disabled. The machine now boots directly into Open Firmware with a few ominous bits of output and no response from the keyboard.
no active package
Apple PowerBook5,6 6.4.9.1f1 BootROM built on 01/21/05 at 10:51:16
Copyright 1994-2005 Apple Computer, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Welcome to Open Firmware, the system time and date is 05/06/2008 10:00:00
Command security mode
To continue booting, type "mac-boot" and press return.
To shut down, type "shut-down" and press return.
ok
0 > _
The first sign that something has gone wrong is no active package. The second message just throws another wrench into the works: Command security mode. Yes, the Open Firmware password was enabled. In retrospect this was a bad thing to have set when mucking about in OF. I knew of the RAM change trick (see below) so this was not an issue at the time.
Question:
So the question is: What actions do I need to take to return the laptop to a useable state. That is, booting into Mac OS X.
*Attempted solutions:*
+1. Reset nvram+
The first and most obvious solution is to reset nvram using the snag key combination ⌘⌥PR. Unfortunately do to the firmware password being set, [all snag keys have been disabled|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352]. This means no target disk mode (⌘T), boot from CD (⌘C), boot from network (⌘N), etc... In any case an attempt at resetting nvram yields an additional message being appended to the Open Firmware screen:
Release keys to continue!_
+2. Reset nvram after changing amount RAM in system+
Luckily there is a work-around to firmware password protection. Changing the amount of RAM installed in the machine should allow the nvram zap snag to function. I removed one of the two 512MB DIMMS in the laptop and started up while holding down ⌘⌥PR. This results in the same message as above:
Release keys to continue!_
Not so lucky.
+3. Reset the Power Management Unit+
[Resetting the Power Management (PMU)|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449] is accomplished by removing the battery and disconnecting the power cord, and then holding down the power button for about 5 seconds. This had no effect besides resetting the system clock to 01/01/1904 00:00:41.
Getting more desperate...
+4. Search logic board for CUDA+
I [opened the machine|http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBook-G4-Al-15-Inch-1-5-1-67-BT-2-0 -LR/64] to search for a hidden [CUDA button|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86760]. As expected, a CUDA button does not exist on this model and the PMU reset is accomplished as noted in attempted solution 3.
+5. Remove internal battery+
Well the laptop is open now, so I tried removing the internal memory backup battery and revisited each of the above solutions. No success.
+6. Remove hard drive+
Again, since the laptop was open, why not remove the hard drive and see what happens. The machine wasn't even making it to the boot-loader hand-off so I didn't expect this to produce any results. No results produced.
Thinking crazy thoughts...
+7. Attempt a firmware update+
Firmware updates have a side effect of resetting the nvram. Also firmware updates are initiated very early in the startup process by holding down the power button until a tone is heard and the power light flashes. My thought was that I would grab a previous firmware update for this laptop and force it to be reapplied. Unfortunately there have been no updates to this model's firmware.
+8. Write my own firmware update script+
While investigating solution #7 I realized that the file BootROMFirmware installed by the firmware updaters for G5s and G4s machines are just Forth programs with a binary payload attached to the end. I learned [Forth|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forth(programminglanguage)]. The BootROMFirmware files are really cool, since they do everything from drawing the progress bar during the update, uncompressing and check-summing the binary payload, and generally making sure you don't brick your machine. In any case it seem entirely doable to write my own program in Forth and undo the evil I did before. I really only need to flip one bit. I needed the use-nvramrc? variable set to false. So I created this very simple Forth program:
\ debrickifier
setenv use-nvramrc? false
reset-all
The original firmware file had additional attributes set, a creator and file type of fw99. So I set those two attributes on my file as well. I ran strings on the firmware installer program and guessed that it was copying the file to /System/Library/CoreServices. So this is where I placed my Forth file. Reinstalled the drive and rebooted the laptop while holding down the power key to initiate a firmware install. No dice.
Its hard to tell why this is failing. The file may in the wrong place, have the wrong permissions. From what I've reviewed in the original files, the setenv and reset-all words should be available. Maybe the Firmware Update utilities are setting some other magic in nvram before the reboot.
I think I've covered all the different major solutions that I've attempted. Their might be a few more that I've forgotten to mention (like using an external USB keyboard). I still think that getting some Forth to execute via the firmware update mechanism could use some more exploration. My current worst case is that I'll replace the logic board, although I'd hate to do that when I know there are only a few bad bits flipped in a CMOS somewhere.
I'm hoping to snag the attention of the resident hardware/firmware guru that can shed some light upon the firmware update process, but any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
MarkFor your next DARPA visit, another option might be to buy the cheapest possible third-party wireless card — it doesn't even need to work. Insert it into your Powerbook's CardBus slot before visiting DARPA, and turn Airport off in System Prefs. On arrival at DARPA, remove the card from the Powerbook and hand it to the security guard. Retrieve it from the guard as you leave, and turn Airport back on again when you get home or back to your office. Unable to comply with the letter of the dunderheaded regulation because you have no BIOS, you will be complying with the spirit of it instead, and no one will be the wiser.
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PowerMac G5 will not boot into Open Firmware, or Boot Manager
I have a PowerMac G5 and it refuses to boot into Open Firmware. I used Command + Option + O + F and held down the Option key. I have tried 3 different Keyboards but no avail.
Hmmm,
Does it boot to Single User Mode, CMD+s keys at bootup, if so try...
/sbin/fsck -fy
Repeat until it shows no errors fixed.
(Space between fsck AND -fy important).
Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Does it boot from your Install Disc, or show boot choices when holding alt at bootup? -
I am having a Startup problem. Someone comes on the screen with Open Firmware to Startup. How can I reset the PRAM myself to solve this problem?
Read these.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10330118-263.html -
PowerBook G4 17" Boots into Open Firmware; Won't boot from HD or Disk
This PBG417 (1GHz/512MB/60GB) has an complex recent history directly related to this problem. It was thought to have a dead logic board, and was given to me for a very insignificant amount of money. I discovered today (at an Authorized Apple Repair center) it merely had a ribbon cable disconnected from the logic board which kept it from powering on, which, when rge cable was reconnected it did on the spot, fully booting (imagine my satisfaction). However, upon getting home, it booted into Open Firmware instead, and offedrs a choice of typing mac-boot or shut-down. Mac-boot takes it to the grey screen where the question mark/Finder guy blink and nothing happens. I put a grey PowerBook G4 17" system disk in, but not the one that shipped with it, hoping it would do. When I try to boot from disk, it goes to Open Firmware, I enter mac-boot, it goes to happy Finder with no question folder, but stays there with the optical drive occasionally making movememts and sounds. If you enter any command besides shut down or mac-boot, iot says unknown word; the command prompt itself is 0> .
I'm not sure the hard drive is seated correctly. When I got the computer, the drive was removed; I put it in an enclosure and installed Tiger on it and put it back in, but apart from connecting the ribbon cable, it just sat in its bay not fixed down. However, it booted correctly the first time it was successfully started.
Finally, the previous owner removed all 23 bottom case screws when he took out the drive and lost them; the Apple repair tech mustered up about 9 and put them in the crucial locations but it's still not screwed down everywhere, although the one time it booted correctly, it had no screws in it.
It seems the computer doesn't read the hard drive or the disk, but the hard drive mau be installed wrong and the disk, while for a 17" was not the one that shipped with this PowerBook 17". The computer is missing many case screws, bnutg booted properly only when there were none it place. I also tried resetting the PMU but am not sure I did reset it because the Apple article isn't clear about which models have which processes. I tied Target Disk Mode but it woujldn't mount/boot.
How can I get the disk out and how to make it boot to the desktop?You can try to reset NVRAM here is KBase from apple site:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42642
and after that reset PRAM in your unit, here is the kbase:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238
If needed you can also tried to reset PMU, here is the kbase:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449
Make sure you choose the correct step for your unit.
If after all the steps your unit still booting up to open firmware then there is possibility that you have corrupt NVRAM which could not be fixed by doing reset except replacing logic board.
Good luck. Hope this help
Flippo -
after installing airport extreme card into g4 ibook 1.07ghz 512 ram it will only boot to open firmware, any ideas why? please help!
Hi David,
Have you done a PRAM reset, CMD+Option+p+r...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
In fact, do 3 in a row, takes a bit of time.
Tried resetting the PMU for PB/iB?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449 -
Why does my macbook give me the option to choose Macintosh HD or recovery HD at startup every time?
Why does my macbook give me the option to choose Macintosh HD or recovery HD at startup every time?
It never used to do that before until now. How can I get it to just start up to the regular Macintosh HD again without clicking on the HD at startup?
Im running a new macbook pro 13 inch with lion and everything is fully updated.
Thanks.Next time you boot, go here to make sure there is "something" selected:
That's all I can think of...if nothing is selected in this box, strange things do happen -
My apple G4 is not booting up. It's crashing every time. What should I do?
My power mac G4 won't even boot up. It's crashing every time. What can I do?
Could be many things, we should start with this...
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu at top of the screen. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
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3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Select your Mac OS X volume.
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http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
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Does it boot into any of these modes?
Holding Option/alt key at bootup.
Holding SHIFT key at bootup.
Target mode...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
Does it boot to Single User Mode, CMD+s keys at bootup, if so try...
/sbin/fsck -fy
Repeat until it shows no errors fixed.
(Space between fsck AND -fy important).
Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
We might get clues with verbose mode...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1492 -
Is there a way to have a book open at the start every time?
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What you're talking about is the default navigation that is part of iBooks, so no, it doesn't appear you can force a restart from open, sorry.
Your reader would need to navigate there each time they leave the book.
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http://www.apple.com/feedback/ibooks-author.html -
How can I set home page for a new tab? how can i get firefox to open the home page every time i open a new tab in Windows vista home basic??
== This happened ==
Every time Firefox openedFirefox can have multiple home pages if you wish. Each home page that will open when starting Firefox is separated by the "|" character.
See: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/How+to+set+the+home+page
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Ideally we would like the browser not to open a new tab every time. Is this possible?
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How to make firefox open a blank page every time i open a new tab
Due to the recent update of Firefox to version 16.0 it opens my most visited websites every time i open a new tab i want it to do what it used to do all the time i want it to open a blank page every time i open a new tab.
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I have Mozilla Firefox installed, w/. my Home Page setup to be opened on It every time. I can open a new window on It too, but when I open a new tab, every time open this new tab w/. Untitled Page. I wanna It opening w/. my Home Page.
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and post the report here? -
Elements 10 organizer craches on startup, Every time.
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Hi.
Hi have elements 10 and every time I start organizer it crashes ca 10sec after startup. I have tried to reinstall it but I still have the same problem. It starts up and ask me to backup witch I don’t, and then after a little time it crash. In the progress bar at the bottom to the left it says “making miniatures. According to windows the is the ntdll.dll that crashes.
I have win7 64x, 8gb ram and Adobe is running on a SSD-hard drive.
What to do? I have tried go directly to organizer instead of thru the welcome startup.
Problemsignatur:
Problemhändelsens namn: APPCRASH
Programnamn: PhotoshopElementsOrganizer.exe
Programversion: 10.0.0.0
Programtidsstämpel: 4e70d150
Namn på felmodul: ntdll.dll
Modulens version: 6.1.7601.17725
Tidsstämpel för felmodul: 4ec49b8f
Undantagskod: c0000005
Undantagsförskjutning: 00038dc9
OS-version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.48
Språkvariant-ID: 1053
Ytterligare information 1: 0a9e
Ytterligare information 2: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789
Ytterligare information 3: 0a9e
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http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/406/kb406965.html
Ken
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