Installed todays security update, computer will not boot, down

Question

I installed todays security update. now my G3 600mhz 14" iBook, running 10.3.9, will not boot.
I have had several symptoms throughout the day. A couple of times it sat there for about an hour with a blank screen. It came up several times with the message to type "mac-boot" ( I may be remembering the syntax wrong) I tried that, I also tried typing "shut-down" at that point.
Later it came up to my background screen bout would do nothing and go no further. Now it is siting there with a OS 9 folder icon in the middle of the screen and sometimes the icon alternates between a face and a question mark in the middle of the icon.

Answer 1

Robert,
I sympathize with your plight. I had a similar problem with my G4 AGP (Sawtooth). Like a dummy, I installed Security Update 2006-004. Upon reading posts about Apple updates on this board, it seem that the knlowledgeable ones wait until the unsuspecting ones walk on the landmines that Apple builds into the upgrades before trying it themselves.
I had exactly the same problems that you describe. Since I believe that my G4 has an extended warrantee, I called Apple Phone Support. The gentleman after listining to my plight, told me that he could not help me because my Mac was a "VINTAGE" model, no longer supported by Apple. How is that for an answer. I guess that now that Apple switched to Intel, all Motorola chips become "persona non-grata".
Anyway, I remember that something like this happened to me some years back with another "upgrade". I believe that basically, the problem is due to the fact that Apple does not make provisions for third party products installed in a Mac. Last time, it was the video card (ATI) that had to be removed in order for the upgrade to work. This time, I had to remove my 2 GHz. Giga Design CPU and put back the measly 400 MHz. Apple CPU. Then I was able to boot normally. I then re-installed the Giga drivers and everything went back to normal. Since I am getting old, and it is recommended for persons of my age to engage in mental exercises, I believe Apple is trying to help me by having my brain work overtime (not to mention the 5 terror-filled hours I spent to resolve the problem.
I suspect the update writes to or resets your PRAM or other non-volatile memory. Does your G3 iBook have any non-Apple components? If so, I suggest you remove it or them. Beyond that, I cannot help you, except to suggest that you reset the PRAM.
I now have transferred most of my data to a fast, trouble-free (relatively) PC. Since in the future, all Macs with have Intel chips, there will be no reason for me, after about 30+ "vintage" years to buy Apple. Of course, just as Apple touts that its OS can run on a PC, PC owners will (are already) running Mac OS on their PC.
Nick