? in file, install disc issues

I have an older iMac that froze and since nothing would 'move', I turned it off. When turning it back on,
the gray file with the ? mark appeared. I went through several suggested steps without success. I put
in the Install disc and it went as far as Select Destination. NO icons appeared and I could not continue.
Did I miss a step or am I really in trouble here? Thanks.

A few possibilities:
1. The hard drive directory is dead.
2. The PRAM battery is dead.
3. The Hard drive is dead.
If you aren't backed up, try a data restore to an external drive using one of these tools once you make sure the PRAM battery is less than 4 years old with an authorized service center. Tell them not to touch the hard drive, and only make sure the battery is current and not to turn on the computer either.

Similar Messages

Install disc issue. What's the story?

hi everybody,
hope someone can be of any help.
My quicksilver 933MHz 2002 came with Jaguar as install dvd, but now I have upgraded my cpu with a Sonnet 1.8GHz (by the way it works ok) that runs on 10.3.5. So I am looking for an install dvd of Panther 10.3.5, should i ever need to reinstall system from scratch. On ebay I found some, but most of them are for eMacs or Powerbooks G4. Can I use them in my quicksilver without troubles or do I have to buy the retail set with the universal dvd(that is quite pricey in comparison to the eMacs or Powerbook dvd)?
-=::Any help is appreciated::=-
Thank you

Hello! They are machine specific and yes you'll have to but the full retail version and if you're gonna do that why not just buy Tiger instead. Here's a link to buy which ever one you decide on. Mac OS
You can also get them from OWC. Tom
OWC

Pre 10.5.6 Server install disc and Unlimited users upgrade.

Hi,
Has anyone attempted to upgrade a 10 Client license to Unlimited using an old pre 10.5.6 OSX Server install disc on the latest generation Mac Pro's.
I'm aware of the pre 10.5.6 install disc issues with the latest hardware.
Thanks

If your existing 10-client license is for 10.5.x then there's no issue - just enter the new serial number in Server Admin and you're done.
If your existing license is for 10.4 then you have the typical upgrade issues to deal with.

Archive and Install/Disc Utility issues -

I'm currently spending a summer abroad in South America, and have had issues with my Macbook Pro (early 2011 version) no longer starting up after some virus experiences last week. The computer hangs itself during loading on the white screen w/ grey apple and the spinning dial. In contacts with Apple Care as well as some Mac-saavy friends, the following situations have been tried:
Opening in safe mode - The loading bar (added at the bottom of the grey apple screen) loads about 1/4 of the way, disappears, and the computer hangs itself.
Opening in single user mode - I run the recommended sbin/fsck -fy command to clean up the hard drive. It comes back after having checked 6-7 parts, saying that the MacHD is in good shape, with a message following saying that something had been "modified" (forgive me for not remembering the correct verbage at present). I then run the same command again, resulting in a message that the HD is clean and without error. I then "reboot" and remain hung on the white screen w/ grey apple.
Opening in verbose mode - I reach the following lines of text, and then there is no further progress:
enable
IONetworkController::enable
createMediumTables
enable end
MacAuthEvent en0   Auth result for: 00:23:cd:1e:f2:c4 No Ack
same line as above saying "Auth timed out" at the end
Command+option+r+p - shock two or three times, (three startup chimes) and computer continues to hang itself in the normal spot.
- So, at this point I took the advice of Apple Care and a few other friends, and tracked down a "retail copy" of Mac OSX (10.6.3) in order to try to do an Archive and Install or any sort of Disc Utility via the startup disc.
Inserting the disc and holding "c" at startup results in the cd drive whirring the disc for a few moments, and then remaining hung at the same white loading screen.
Holding "option" during the startup gives me the option of loading from the HD, or the disc. Selecting the disc proceeds to whirr the cd drive, take me to the white loading screen with the grey apple, and... you guessed it... leaves the CPU hung.
My question is then, is my Macbook Pro unable to read this disc and execute Archive and Install/Disc Utility for hardware reasons as per the virus attack, or is the disc not compatible with my version of OSX (which I have since confirmed through my wife to be 10.6.6)?
Different sources have told me different things. The local AASP in Uruguay sold me what they professed to be the "latest" version of OSX - the 10.6.3, what's more for $55 dollars instead of the lower cost as available in the states (between $15-$30), so I am reluctant to go back to them for advice when they seem more inclined to cash in on my inexperience (Mac owner of less than a month) than actually fixing my issue. Apple Care told me that a standard "retail disc" should work, but I am assuming now that they believe I can snag the same version as initially came with my Macbook Pro. Should I be looking to have my wife mail my original OSX install DVDs down here to resolve this problem? Should 10.6.3-retail be working and is not for reasons I haven't identified? I have since done some online research and found mentions that doing any sort of HD partitioning or OSX reinstalls can only be accomplished by utilizing a disc of an equal or more recent version of the OSX (examples that 10.4 can't work on a notebook preinstalled with 10.5, etc). Does this translate to 10.6.3 not being able to function for my 10.6.6 MBP?
Any insight or thoughts would be much appreciated, as essentially all of my schoolwork and assignments are now trapped on an inaccessible HD. Thank you for your time.
- Joseph

I tried adding in a bunch of information about what your troubleshooting steps meant, but the server went into maintenance while I did. So, here it is again:
"Opening in safe mode - The loading bar (added at the bottom of the grey apple screen) loads about 1/4 of the way, disappears, and the computer hangs itself."
     This is FSCK running, and gives you an indication of it's progress.
"MacAuthEvent en0   Auth result for: 00:23:cd:1e:f2:c4 No Ack"
     This is either a failed DHCP request or ARP request.
"Command+option+r+p"
     Command+Option+P+R - Resets PRAM. That's why p+r.
"Inserting the disc and holding "c" at startup results in the cd drive whirring the disc for a few moments, and then remaining hung at the same white loading screen."
     This problem indicates that the disc is too old to boot your system. The reason for why this disc cannot boot is because it doesn't contain the necessary drivers for your model MacBook Pro. My mom and brother have similar models, and my brother had similar issues while in Japan. He went and got an install disc as well, which failed, I ended up stepping him through so that it would boot in Safe Mode, and then got it working in Normal Mode remotely.
FYI: Sophos has a free Mac Antivirus program, that is very processing friendly, and will scan in the background. You may wish to consider it as an alternative to Avast! if it continues giving you problems. Though I suspect it may be coincidence that your computer had problems shortly after Avast! cleaned up files. Let me know how it goes. You may wish to open up Disk Utility and check your S.M.A.R.T. Status. You want to make sure it says "Verified" If it doesn't say "Verified" then you have a problem.
-Phill

Won't boot from install discs after deleting some system files

I've been looking through the forum and haven't found an answer to my problem - maybe someone can help me out.
I have an aluminum Powerbook G4, 1.67, 1.5 RAM, 10.4.11. I was experiencing the problem with FCE capturing video for about 5 minutes and then freezing, and I read some threads here about how this can be fixed by returning to Quicktime 7.2 and installing it with Pacifist. I did this, but first tried to delete my previous Quicktime version files, and obviously I deleted some system files in the process. That's how my new problem started.
Programs now that do not open - Preview, iTunes, iMovie, FCE, Yahoo, Mail, and Microsoft Messenger. I no longer have my date/time/battery level/airport/bluetooth indicators in my toolbar. The Spotlight icon flashes, but will not open. Also, when opening the System Preferences pane, it opens just for a second or two and then crashes and closes. Safari, airport, and Word all work, though, and I still can access internet.
I tried to re-install OS 10.4 from my black install disc. The computer reads the disc, but after I click the installer icon and then "restart," the computer fails to completely reboot. The disc spins in the drive, I get the Apple, the indicator, and then the screen goes to blue and the disc soon stops spinning. Nothing happens after that. I've tried rebooting by holding down the C key but the same happens. When I hold down the option key, I get to the point where I can choose to boot from the install disc, and then the same thing happens - the blue screen and nothing more. Booting with the shift key held down doesn't work either.
I did just have a repair by Apple - my adaptor plug sparked when inserting it into the outlet, and I had to have the logic board replaced. But the computer seemed to be working fine when I got it back, except for the FCE issue first mentioned. Looks like my good intentions have done me in.
The install disc is about three years old, and is in good condition. It's been in the garage, so could heat or cold affect the readability of the disc?
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can boot from my install disc and get a fresh install of my OS?

Hi bboross,
Tough without a Tiger Disk, but try fsck...
To use fsck, you must run it from the command line. Unlike using your mouse to open an application to do something, you'll need to type a text command at the prompt (#) to tell fsck what to do. The Terminal application (/Applications/Utilities) and single-user mode are two examples of command-line interfaces in which you can type such commands. To use fsck:
1. Start up your computer in single-user mode to reach the command line. Hold CMD+s keys down at bootup. Note: If necessary, perform a forced restart as described in the Emergency Troubleshooting Handbook that came with your computer. On desktop computers, you can do this by pressing the reset/interrupt button (if there is one) or holding down the power button for several seconds. On portable computers, simultaneously press the Command-Control-power keys. If your portable computer doesn't restart with this method, you may need to reset the Power Manager.
2. At the command-line prompt, type /sbin/fsck -fy
(space between fsck and -fy important)
3. Press Return. fsck will go through five "phases" and then return information about your disk's use and fragmentation. Once it finishes, it'll display this message if no issue is found: ** The volume (nameofvolume) appears to be OK  If fsck found issues and has altered, repaired, or fixed anything, it will display this message: *** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED ***   Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command you typed in step 2 until fsck tells you that your volume appears to be OK (first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues, so this is a normal thing to do).
4. When fsck reports that your volume is OK, type reboot at the prompt and then press Return.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then Safe Boot , (holding Shift key down at bootup), & use Disk Utility from there to Repair Permissions, reboot once more.

Warning: SUID File (11 Files) and "Permissions Differ" - No Install Disc

Hello,
Have had my black macbook for about 3 1/2 years now (leopard) and having problems with it being really sluggish and freezing up. Additionally, the fan is coming on a lot and being really loud. I have checked activity monitor (all processes) and nothing is running over 12...Question is are the "warning suid files" and "permissions differ" the source of these problems? I can't find my original install disc (have one for my i mac but no good I hear.) Guessing I need to go to the genius bar to fix this issue...Thanks, PoorGradStudent

Hello and welcome to the discussions, Those warning are normal and nothing to worry about.
While your at the genius bar see if they will run a diagnostics test on your laptop. Note, if your problems only show up after it has been on for an hour, get there an hour early and warm it up.
No use in have them look at it if you can't replicate the problem.
Cheers,
Glynn

IMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 running10.10.2 (14C1514). Trying to install Windows 7 64 bit from an install disc. When attempting to create an ISO image I can save the file in disk utility but can convert cdr to iso

iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 running10.10.2 (14C1514). Trying to install Windows 7 64 bit from an install disc. When attempting to create an ISO image I can save the file in disk utility but can convert cdr to iso. I select the file and the hit return as in step 8 of the Creating an
iSO image document but the box that should open to select use iso does not open. How should I proceed?

The Mac SuperDrive built into your Mac is the Optical drive.
1. Insert your Windows DVD in Optical drive. Disconnect any external storage.
2. Insert a USB2 Flash drive. This will be used to hold the BC drivers.
3. Start BCA. Check the options to download software and Install Windows. You do not need to download Windows. The BCA will download the BC drivers to the USB.
4. Partition your drive.
5. You can see the Windows installer screens at https://help.apple.com/bootcamp/mac/5.0/help/#/bcmp173b3bf2.

How to restore from Time Machine WITHOUT install discs using a second Mac

It's a question that is asked repeatedly all over the web by Mac users like me that bought in to Time Machine (TM) on the assumption that if their computer died one day it would be a piece of cake to restore from it, only for that day to come and then to be told "ahh, okay the first thing is to get your computers install discs..." (loud crashing sound of world falling around ears).
I've never been able to afford a new Mac and both of my machines were bought second-hand. Neither came with Leopard (both have Tiger and have been upgraded to Leopard via the net). This was never supposed to be a problem as I've been backing up with TM. However it appears that Tiger discs are as much use as an inflatable dart board when it comes to using TM. So I've been faced with the possibility of having to spend £130 (about two hundred Pres Sheets, Yankees) on the Leopard install discs just so that I can have the option of restoring from TM. Bonkers.
However after much nashing of teeth, a very long weekend learning all sorts of things about 'Target Mode', 'Single User Mode', 'Verbose Mode', 'Open Source 9' etc the following solution has worked without the need to go out and buy those over-priced discs...
What you will need:
1 broken Mac requiring restoration
1 second donor Mac running Leopard (or Snow Leopard so long as the broken Mac can run it)
1 firewire cable with the correct fitting at either end to attach both Macs together
1 Time Machine backup
Note: The following is for when you have given up trying to boot from your hard drive. In my case I couldn't boot in to Safe Mode etc. so was forced to format my drive and re-import everything. If you've read this far I'm assuming your at the same point as well and have tried everything else that's out there first.
Also - both my Macs are Power PC's so can't run Snow Leopard, so I can't say 100% this will work with SL (Intel) machines. From what I've read Snow Leopard will work with this procedure too, but if you've found differently please feel free to add your experiences below...
STEP ONE: Format the corrupt Hard Drive or replace with a fresh HDD
*Link the two computers with a firewire.
*If you're replacing your HDD, remove your corrupted hard drive from the 'broken' machine and insert a new one.
*Power up the broken Mac whilst holding down the 'T' key. This will start it up in Target Mode and you'll get a nice firewire symbol floating around that machine's screen.
*Power up the second 'healthy' Mac. This will be our 'donor' machine. When it starts up after a few seconds you will see the hard drive of the broken Mac appear on the donor Mac's desktop.
*Using your donor Mac's 'Disc Utility', format the broken Mac's hard drive (now's the time to partition it etc. if you want to).
STEP TWO: Clone your donor Mac
Your broken Mac is no longer broken and now needs a new OS. But you don't have the discs, right? Well get this... you can clone your donor mac on to your machine, even if they are totally different i.e. a laptop on to a tower.
*Again using Disc Utility, click on your donor Mac's hard drive. The restore tab appears as an option.
*Click on restore and drag the donor Mac's hard drive that contains the operating system in to the Source box.
*Drag the newly formatted hard drive on the broken Mac in to the Destination box.
*Click restore. Your donor Mac's hard drive will now be 'cloned' on to your no-longer-broken Mac. Once this is done, eject the first Mac's hard drive from your donor Mac's desktop. You no longer need the donor Mac.
Ta daa! Your machine now starts up happy and smily again. Time to restore all that stuff that's been sat on your Time Machine drive...
STEP 3: Restore from Time Machine using Migration Assistant
This is the really clever part that prompted me to write this piece in the first place. Time Machine IS accessible without those Leopard install discs you don't have. You need to use something called 'Migration Assistant'.
*Start up your machine as normal and you'll see it is an exact clone of the donor machine. Weird huh?
*Attach your Time Machine hard drive. It will show up as an icon on the desktop and because of it's size, you'll be asked if you want to use it as a Time Machine backup. Err, NO YOU DON'T! Click 'cancel'.
*Open Migration Assistant (if you can't find it just type it in to Finder and click). There are three options, the middle one being to restore from TM or another disc. Yup, you want that one.
*Migration Assistant will now ask you what you want to restore in stages, firstly User Accounts, then folders, Apps etc. It will even import internet settings
And that's you done. Let Migration Assistant do it's thang... altogether I had about 140gb to restore, so it wasn't exactly speedy. This wasn't helped by the fact that my TM hard drive is connected via USB (yes, I know). Just leave it alone and it'll whirr happily away...
Before I go - you don't have an option of when to restore from, and will restore from the last Time Machine save. At least then you should be able to access TM and go 'backwards' if you need to.
Also - for a Mac expert, the above will be up there with 'Spot Goes To The Farm' in terms of complexity. However, for the rest of us the above is only available in fragments all over the net. By far the most common response to 'how do I restore from Time Machine without install discs' is 'you can't'. If I'd found the above information in one place I could have saved a lot of hair pulling and swearing over the last couple of days, so forgive me for sharing this workaround with the rest of the world. Meanwhile your expertise will come in very handy for the inevitable questions that will get posted below, so please feel free to help those people that won't be sure if this solution is the right one for them. I'm no expert, I just want to help people that were stuck in the same situation (and looking at the web, there's a LOT of them).
Hope this is of use to someone, thanks and *good luck*!

Most maintenance and repair, restore and install procedures require the use
of the correct OS X install DVD; be it an original machine-specific restore/install
disc set or a later retail non-specific general install disc set.
By having an unsupported system, perhaps installed via an illegal download or
other file-sharing scheme, where no retail official discs are involved and the
initial upgrade was done by other means outside of the License Agreements,
you are asking us to discuss a matter of illegal installation and use of a product.
There are no legal complete OS X system download upgrades online; only bits
that are update segments to a retail or as-shipped machine's original OS X install.
+{Or an installation where a previous owner had correct retail upgrade discs, &+
+chose to not include them with the re-sale of the computer it was installed in.}+
However, to answer the initial question. To get and use an externally enclosed
hard drive in suitable boot-capable housing, and get a free-running Clone
Utility (download online; often a donation-ware product, runs free) you can
make a bootable backup of everything in your computer to an external HDD.
This is the way to make a complete backup to restore all functions to the computer.
The Time Machine has some limits, in that it can restore only that which it saves.
It does not make a bootable clone of your entire computer system with apps and
your files, to an external drive device. A clone can. And some of the clone utility's
settings can also backup changes to an external drive's system; if that other drive
is attached to the computer correctly.
Carbon Copy Cloner, from Bombich Software; and also SuperDuper, another of
the most known software names you can download and use to clone boot-capable
system backups of your computer's hard disk drive contents, are often cited.
However you resolve the matter of the running OS X system in your computer,
derived from what appears to be questionable means, is part of the initial issue.
Since you do need to be able to fix an existing installation by unmounting the
computer's hard disk drive and run the computer from the other (install disc or
system clone) while it is Unmounted; and use the correct Disk Utility version to
help diagnose and perhaps be able to fix it. You can't use a Tiger version Disk
Utility to fix a Leopard installation, and so on.
So, the situation and replies as far as they can go (since the matter does
constitute an illegal system, if it was arrived at without correct discs) is a
limited one. And file sharing of copied Mac OS X (and other) software is
also considered illegal.
And, one way to get odd malware and unusual stuff, is to get an unauthorized
system upgrade from an illegal source online. You never know what's inside it.
The other reply was not a personal attack; the matter is of legal status and as
you have a product with a questionable system, the answer is to correct it.
And if you want to save everything in your computer, make a clone to a suitable
externally enclosed self-powered boot capable hard disk drive. With older PPC
Macs, that would best be to one with FireWire and the Oxford-type control chips.
However that works out...
Good luck & happy computing!

Can't Boot From Install Disc 1 ?

Holding down "C" at Start Up isn't working.
Most of the time I can't get Preferences > Start-Up to even "see" my Disc 1.
When I can get it to show up in Start-Up, and Select it, and Lock it ... it Still Won't Start Up from the Install Disc 1 ... and in fact usually ejects the disc.
Sometimes when I re-push in the disc, I get the message that a Blank Disc has been detected, "what do you want to do with it."
But, it shows up in Disc Utility, and when I run Verify Disc, it all looks good?!
The Disc has Mac OS version 10.4.8 on it. I'm running 10.5.7. I'm all up to date with my software.
Yesterday I ran the latest version of Disc Warrior. When I run TechTools 4.0 it seems to get stuck running Files. When I run Repair Permissions from Disc Utilities, it shows a fairly massive amount of issues. Running it over and over again doesn't seem to make any difference.
I WANT to run my Install Disc so I can run Repair Disc from Disc Utility ... because I'm having a number of issues ... and I seem to get the spinning rainbow a lot.
SUGGESTIONS ?! ... thanks ...

Disk Utility that can repair a 10.5.7 permissions is only found on the Leopard installer disc. Tiger can't repair Leopard when it comes to permissions, and may also have difficulty with the directory.
Secondly, if your MacBook Pro was purchased after October 26, 2007, it can't boot from any Tiger disc.
If your MacBook Pro was purchased prior, you can use the disk, but you'll want to follow these directions for hardware diagnostics:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303081
Only if your MacBook Pro has Tiger installed, should you use Tiger for the directory or permissions*:
http://www.macmaps.com/directoryfaq.html
Macs can only boot from the operating system that shipped with them, and newer retail operating systems. This means:
1. pre-October 1st, 2007 MacBook Pros can boot off:
- - the discs that shipped with them
- - retail 10.5 discs which look like * that do not say Upgrade, DropIn, or OEM.
2. October 1st through October 25, 2007 can do #1, and also use Upgrade and DropIn discs. Those disks were offered as a limited time mail order Up to date program, some were dropped in the box that came with them.
3. October 26th through November 14, 2007 can boot off the discs that came with them, and retail 10.5.1, 10.5.4, and 10.5.6 discs that do not say Upgrade, DropIn, or OEM, and have a label like the image above.
4. November 15, 2007 through June 29, 2008 can boot off the discs that came with them, and the retail 10.5.4, and 10.5.6 discs that do not say Upgrade, DropIn, or OEM, and have a label like the image above.
5. June 30, 2008 through December 14, 2008 can boot off the discs that came with them, and the retail 10.5.6 discs that do not say Upgrade, DropIn, or OEM, and have a label like the image above.
6. December 15, 2008 and later MacBook Pros can only boot off the discs that came with them.
Presumably when Snow Leopard comes out in September, all of the above will be able to use Snow Leopard because of the specs on http://www.apple.com/macosx/specs.html
- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.
Message was edited by: a brody

Will Not Boot from Install Disc & 4SNS/1/40000000: TG0D - Thermal Sensor?

*Will Not Boot from Install Disc*
I used the "option key" approach with the gray start up disk. At first it ejected the start up disk. Then I nudged the disk back in the machine and it showed on the screen as an option. I clicked on the start up disk image and it finally loaded.
But, it won't accept the start up disk when holding down the "C" key at restart.
*4SNS/1/40000000: TG0D*
I did an Apple Hardware Test and received the following diagnostic:
Version: 3A121
Test Suite: Extended Test
Loop Count: 2
Result: Failed
Failure code: 4SNS/1/40000000: TG0D
*Thermal Sensor*
A search for the failure code 4SNS/1/40000000: TG0D brought up an Apple Discussion topic entry stating: That error code indicates a problem with a thermal sensor. It could be not working or possibly not connected. You will need to take it to Apple for repair.
Would a thermal sensor have anything to do with it not starting up when holding down the "C" key at restart? What are thermal sensor problem symptoms?
*User File Folder Opened Up*
The machine also starts up with my user file folder opened up rather than with a blank screen as it normally should
I completed a DiskWarrior rebuild on the disk and verify disk shows it is fine.
Any suggestions on what to do next with these issues?

The answer was in your post: "You will need to take it to Apple for repair."

Holding c while resarting but will not boot from install disc

hello,
I have a G4 Titanium Powerbook currently running os 10.3.9.
I have been having troubles ever since upgrading to Quicktime a while back such as Quicktime not playing files, missing codecs, Pro-Tools and other software crashes, Itunes will not open with M-Box connected, etc.
I have tried to repair permissions with the disk utility and still same issues.
I have backed up all important files and would like to just reinstall the os 10.1 using the disc I got with the powerbook hoping to be able to upgrade back to 10.3.9.
I have tried to shutdown with the disk in and turn on with the c button pressed and it still boots up as usual.
I have also tried to restart holding c and still boots up as usual. I just cannot seem to get the powerbook to boot from the install disc.
The disc is the powerbook g4 mac osx 10.1 install disc.
What am I doing wrong?

i have the following discs.
mac osx install - which is 10.1
mac os9 install
software restore 1
software restore 2
mac osx developer tools
I have tried to boot by holding c with the mac osx install and the software restore 1 discs to no avail
I just tried to put itunes on the desktop run disc utility trash itunes reciepts and repaired permissions and got this messege which i seem to get every time but am still having issues.
Repairing permissions for “Macintosh HD”
Determining correct file permissions.
We are using special permissions for the file or directory ./Library/ColorSync/Profiles/Displays. New permissions are 16893
We are using special permissions for the file or directory ./Library/ColorSync/Profiles. New permissions are 16893
We are using special permissions for the file or directory ./System/Library/Filesystems/cd9660.fs/cd9660.util. New permissions are 33261
We are using a special uid for the file or directory ./private/var/at/jobs. New uid is 1
We are using a special uid for the file or directory ./private/var/at/spool. New uid is 1
The privileges have been verified or repaired on the selected volume
Permissions repair complete
I just really want a clean install. help please
powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

TS2570 Question re: "Start from your Mac OS X Install disc; use Disk Utility"

I've worked my way through the step-by-step trouble shooting in the TS2570 article up to "Start from your Mac OS X Install disc; use Disk Utility". So far, every step results in the same outcome - my formerly trusty 2007 Intel duo core iMac (24") will not start up, freezing on a grey screen with a blinking question mark on a folder. I don't completely understand this next step. I have both a Leopard and a Snow Leopard disc. I'm not positive whether these were for the iMac, or my old Macbook Pro. I assume this makes a difference.

Question (?) Mark, Blinking Folder, or Gray Screen at Startup
These are related but not identical issues. Their causes are outlined in Intel-based Mac- Startup sequence and error codes, symbols. Solutions may be found in:
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
A flashing question mark or globe appears when you start your Mac
Mac OS X- Gray screen appears during startup
In most cases the problems may be caused by one or more of these:
a. Problem with the computer's PRAM - See Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM.
b. Boot drive's directory has been corrupted - Repair with Disk Utility.
c. Critical system files are damaged or deleted - Reinstall OS X.
d. The disk drive is physically non-functional - Replace the hard drive.
Note that the information I have provided is what Apple recommends, If other users suggest different solutions than found here, then be sure what they recommend does not impact on your warranty, if any, or ability to get continuing Apple service.
Please don't start removing drives or changing cables unless you know what you are doing and have exhausted other non-invasive alternatives outlined here. If you perform any work yourself that is unapproved by Apple, then you will void any warranty you may have and lose all further Apple Support.
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
The main difference if you are using Lion or Mountain Lion is that you must first boot from the Recovery HD. Simply boot from the Recovery HD to perform the above.
Reinstall Snow Leopard Without Erasing The drive
1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
2. Reinstall Snow Leopard
If the drive is OK then quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed with reinstalling OS X. Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files. After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.
Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.
Reinstalling Lion/Mountain Lion Without Erasing The Drive
Boot to the Recovery HD: Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

Booting from Install disc Stalls at strange Mouse & Batteries Screen

Any thoughts/suggestions/answers would be greatly appreciated...
I have my hands on a friends iBook G4 purchased in April 2006. They were having problems with it and decided to wipe the drive and re-install the OS etc.
They got it wiped but could not get thru the installation process due to errors. They assumed it was a scratched install disc, and gave it to me to fix.
Upon receipt, I put in my Tiger (retail, not computer specific version) disc and booted via holding down the 'C' key. Got thru the first grey screen, then thru the grey screen with the grey Apple logo on it, and then up pops a screen I've never seen before; and the process stalls here.
This screen looks like two outline images of the Mighty Mouse from its underbelly. Image one is showing you where to install the batteries, and image two is showing you where to turn it on. And on image two, where the laser is, it's flashing red.
Here's a picture of it @ http://adairnet.com/ss-mac-install-stall-screen.jpg
I couldn't get past this screen so I booted it in Firewire Target Disk Mode into my other computer and used Disk Utility to fully wipe the drive (thinking there may have been some odd file on it causing this issue). That didn't help; when I booted from the Tiger disc again, I stalled at the same spot.
Then I discovered a way past it - it was only by plugging in an old single-button USB clear Apple mouse into the USB port, that caused that screen to go away and proceed to the Tiger installation screen.
I tried this several times, and consistenly, the screen would always come up if no mouse was plugged in, but as soon as I plugged the mouse in, immediately it went away and continued on as normal.
I was able to complete the installation process and everything seems to be working as it should now. I'm just dying to know what this screen was for and why it came up.
Other things to note - even after I have a successful/working OS on the iBook, if I try to boot from any disc containing an OS, I get this same screen/situation.
I did discover the reason the initial install failed was due to bad RAM, which I've replaced and checked and is working fine now.
I've also checked the system with TechTool Protege and found no errors.
Also note that the iBook owner never uses any external or wireless mouse - just the trackpad, and has never experienced any issues with it.
And lastly, to let you know, I did reset/zap the PRAM, did the Open-Firmware resettings, and reset the battery/power-management too without any affect.
Could it be a faulty (or soon to go out) trackpad, disc drive, or USB port? Or something else? Any thoughts?
After searching over 30 pages of search results here, I found a few more posts with similar issues, but as of today (1/2/07), none were resolved...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3378317
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3298926
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3469463
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3394741
TIA!

i actually had this same issue and called and talked to tech support about it, they transferred me to a product specialist and told me the reason it would do this is the install disk is most likely not the original one that came with the computer
he said that if the install disk is different, it may not recognize the specific trackpad the unit is running since it could be a different build, and will than assume that the computer is using an external mouse. If it than doesnt register the external mouse, it will assume that the mouse just doesnt have any battery power.
it makes sense to me, i also was able to bypass the "error" by using an external USB mouse, and i know my install disks were just the family pack that came from the apple store, so i can only assume thats what could be going on.

Missing install disc (Snow Leopard) for OS X upgrade

Hi, I am going to upgrade to Mountain Lion OS X from Snow Leopard 10.6.8 when it releases, however, I DO NOT have the original SL Install Disc.
I read that there are certain steps that one needs to take to prepare a computer for this upgrade so that it goes smoothly. One of the things on the list is to do a hard drive verification for errors. I can do this in Utilities but it prompts me for the Install Disc in order to repair. It shows two minor errors (Invalid Volume File Count, Invalid Volume Directory Count) that need to be addressed and repaired but I can not continue without the Install Disc. Any suggestions?
Also, a friend has the same SL version install disc. Can I use his or do I need the ORIGINAL one that was originally installed with my iMac? I don't know if the MODEL INDENTIFIER, BOOT ROM VERSION and SMC VERSION will be affected since they are two different machines. Please help!
I can always contact Apple but was trying to avoid any additional costs of replacing the disc since I plan on purchasing a disc for the upgrade to Mountain Lion.
FYI, my iMac runs flawlessly right now and is loaded with software. I am so afraid I will have issues with software if I use another disc and I don't want to go through reinstalling all my software programs. It is a lot. I am hoping it will be okay but I wanted to ask anyone on here first.
Can anyone advise?

Firstly, order the Snow Leopard DVD from Apple's Online Store even if you don't currently need it. Download and save the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 updater in your Downloads folder.
Secondly, you can use your friend's Snow Leopard DVD to do disk and permissions repairs, but not to install OS X on your machine.
Thirdly, follow these instructions:
How to Install Mountain Lion Successfully - You must have Snow Leopard 10.6.7 or 10.6.8 Installed
A. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions:
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. Then select Disk Utility from the Utilities. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.3.) if DW cannot fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall Snow Leopard.
B. Make a Bootable Backup Using Restore Option of Disk Utility:
Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
Select the destination volume from the left side list.
Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
Check the box labeled Erase destination.
Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
Destination means the backup volume. Source means the internal startup volume.
C. Important: Please read before installing:
If you have a FireWire hard drive connected, disconnect it before installing the update unless you will boot from this drive and install the update on it. Reconnect it and turn it back on after installation is complete and you've restarted.
You may experience unexpected results if you have installed third-party system software modifications, or if you have modified the operating system through other means. (This does not apply to normal application software installation.)
The installation process should not be interrupted. If a power outage or other interruption occurs during installation, use the standalone installer (see below) from Apple Downloads to update. While the installation is in progress do not use the computer.
D. To upgrade to Mountain Lion:
Purchase the Mountain Lion Installer from the Mac App Store. The download will start quickly. Mountain Lion is around 4 GBs so a fast internet connection is essential. Download time could run upwards of 4 hours depending upon network conditions and server demands at the time.
The installer will start automatically after the download is complete. You should save a copy in your Downloads folder because the installer will delete itself automatically after the installation is complete.
Follow instructions for installation.

Leopard 10.5.4 not open mov files on disc

Since 10.5.4 files on disc with.mov extension will not open. Default application (Quicktime) is correct. Clicking on file in finder (once) launches app instead of showing info as it should. Player then gets spin ball & quits.
Right clicking allows choice of Quicktime, which then quits
These files have been recopied to disc from commercial cd, so think they are otherwise OK.
Suggestions please.
TIA

That same model is sitting on my desk. HPInstaller_PSC4200v9.7.1 is the latest update for that printer. When it's installed, it's selectable in Print & Fax, and works without any issues. You might have to also install the latest HP update from Apple: http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/application_updates/hpprinterdriver1 11.html

? in file, install disc issues

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