Only Starts Up in Open Firmware

I have a G4 400 MHz running Tiger 10.4.3 and lately it's been booting up to the Open Firmware screen. I can type mac-boot and it'll boot up to OS X. I'm not holding any keys during startup and yet is just boots to Open Firmware. What does this mean and how can I stop it?

See http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42642 for details.

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Problem free ibook now can only boot 'open firmware,' help please!

I reasently went to play with my ibook, just opening it from stand by mode and it popped on but everything was frozen for some reason. So i ended up forcing it off and rebooting it only to find that it only wants to boot open firmware. I tried reseting the nvram but that didn't do anything either. What should I do?

You could see if it will boot into Safe Mode. This will take quite awhile longer than a normal startup because it does a file check and repair of the hard disk.
If this works you will see your normal desktop. Once completely started up in Safe Mode, try to restart normally, and go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility. Click on the top hard drive icon in the left sidebar and note the S.M.A.R.T. status at the bottom right of the pane. What does it say?
Select the named boot volume in the left sidebar, ("Macintosh HD" unless you've renamed it). What is the hard drive capacity and how much space remains available on it? Repair permissions on it.
See if you are able to do a little hard drive maintenance to help things out.

HELP NEEDED URGENTLY .... please! (open firmware password vs. startup disc)

Hi
1. Macbook Pro 2.33 - I had Bootcamp installed.
2. Decided to delete it... went through Bootcamp procedure
3. Mac restarted - then came up with a flashing folder icon, meaning it couldn't find the startup drive.
4. Forced restart again... and tried pressing ALT key to select Macintosh_HD - it asked for my OPEN FIRMWARE PASSWORD - i only ever use 1 password - I know exactly what this is, as I had turned it on/off before by going to utilities>open firmware.
I don't want to take RAM out... is there another way? I thought if a CD was put in it could trick firmware... by pressing the space bar... though it didn't work
I'm stumped! Anybody willing to help?
Thanks loads in advance!
Pixel.

Boot from Install DVD1 holding down 'C'
Then 'Reset Password' ?
or ...
1. Start up into Open Firmware by pressing and
holding the Command-Option-O-F key combination
during startup.
2. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-nvram
3. Press Return.
4. When prompted for your password, enter it and
press the Return key.
5. It responds OK.
6. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-all
7. Press Return.
This only works with PPC Macs. I have been looking for a way to do something similar with my MBP and have been unsuccessful thus far.
Frank

Erasing Open Firmware

Does anyone know how to completely reset Open Firmware? I believe I may have corrupted it with an overclocking script and would like to return to factory defaults. My problem is that I can no longer boot from my Apple Hardware Test Disk.
- Shawn

This Knowledge Base article gives information about how to start up in Open Firmware:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=24605
This Knowledge Base article gives the steps to reset Open Firmware:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42642

Tried to install OS X on my G4 and it is now stuck on Open Firmware screen

I have a powermac g4, with dual 450 processors. Bought in 2000 - After buying a brand new G5 last year I recently tried to install my OS X Tiger I got with the G5 onto the G4. Initially it all booted up fine. However when I turned it back on instead of booting up it made a long tone and then went to an Open Firmware screen with the prompts to type ‘shut-down’ or ‘reset-all’
Neither prompt works and this happens every time I turn it on. I have tried holding ‘c’ with original CD I got with the G4 to bring it back, I have tried holding ‘c’ with the OS X cd, I have tried to re-set Pram by holding down the appropriate keys but nothing works it just always makes the long tone noise and goes to the Open Firmware screen.
I have also been informed about updating the Frimware -i now have the software on a CD but cannot get the system back to be able to do this
Can anyone help me bring the G4 back to life?
G4 Powermac Have a G5 too

Hi
You could order the Full Retail Version of OS X (Black DVD with a silver X on it). Regarding always starting up in Open Firmware, in this thread a bloke had the same problem until he disconnected his peripherals before restarting. See if the entire thread helps:
http://www.macworld.com/forums/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB13&Number=2 43591&Main=243591
Steve

IBook intermittently boots then resets or only starts in open firmware

Hi everyone,
I've been using my iBook G4 (aka my baby ) since purchasing in feb 06. Never had an issue with it, treated it better than anything else I've ever had and it give me trouble. until now.
basically after shutting it donw friday evening i tried to start it up yesterday and when it reached log in, I did so and go a black box center screen informing me to restart by holding down the power button. Each log in attempt (sometimes this occured when the 'starting MAC OS X' popup appeared) gave this problem. Eventually I could log in albeit for 2 mins before the 'please restart'.
I checked the Apple hardware test and extended test showed no issues. I then couldn't tried to boot up but was presented with the 'folder/ ? mark' icon. So, using install discs I tried a disk repair as per Apple manual and it did get one illegal case which was then repaired.
Rebooting then presented me with a white screen with the words 'open firmware.....illegal instruction at %SRR0' date and time included. last words were reducing power 'type Mac-boot' to boot; 'shut-down' to shut down.
mac-boot just brings me to the folder icon. What is funny is that if i switch it off for 30 mins or so and try again, i can log in although not for long.
last night a friend accessed my HD using targetted firewire mode and backed up my data so that's all covered. After he did this i booted up to show him the problem and it worked fine. in fact we had several iTunes vids running, my iPhoto library open and it worked fine. Even the CPU load was nothing to cause concern. So I rebooted and......open firmware.
has anyone here had this same issue with an iBook and knows what the root of the issue is? I've seen some reports of Airport drivers etc etc but nothing changed from Saturday to Sunday. no updates, no new software.
Worst thing is that it's only just over 1 year old and is not in warranty. I'm taking it to an authorized apple service place tonight but any input for you guys on here would be me much appreciated.
Thanks,
Phill
p.S Sorry for the long post, just wanted to include all info.
iBook g4 14 inch, 1Bg RAM, 80Gb HD Mac OS X (10.4.8)

hi Phill,
I saw your posting, and I seem to be having a similar problem with my powerbook. Did you ever solve your issues?

Start-up problems, black screen or open firmware

My iBook G4 1.33GHz Dual USB, with 1 gb RAM memory has been troublesome lately. It's installed with the latest version of OS 10.4.9
When starting up the ibook, it will sometimes only show a black screen after the boot chime. Repeated force restart sometimes makes it boot up the open firmware (white screen).
Then I see the error message:
"Illegal instructions at: %SRR0:ff85e778 %SRR1:00081000"
When I continue on with "mac-boot", I get the blue screen with a question marked box. So it can't find the startup disk.
This usually only happens when I'm done working for the day and close the lid on my ibook without manually clicking on the sleep mode when I put in in my drawer,. I've seen several times that the screen is still on when I close the lid, so it will continue to burn battery time.
I've managed to get the ibook to boot properly after removing the battery and letting it "cool-down" for 15-20 min. Also, zapping pram, vram sometimes works, but I don't know how much that actually helped. It worked once when I typed in the reset-nvram in the open firmware screen too.
I'd rather not have this happen at all! Any suggestions? Is this the much-talked about RAM memory failure?
Any suggestions would be very appreciated.
Message was edited by: antony chen

HI,
*"I get the blue screen with a question marked box."*
That can mean several things. One, the drive is failing. Two, your iBook can't find a System Folder to boot from. Try booting while holding down the Option key which will prompt the Startup Manager window.
MemTest
Boot from your install disk and check the hard disk for errors.
Insert Installer disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu (Panther and earlier) or Utilities menu (Tiger and later) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
(Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel. It should say: Verified)
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
When you are finished with DU, from the Menu Bar, select Utilities/Startup Manager.
Select your start up disk and click Restart
While you have the Disk Utility window open, look at the bottom of the window where you see Capacity and Available. Make sure there is always 15% free disk space. Not enough disk space can cause directory corruption.
If you cannot boot from your install disk, try booting in Safe Mode
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
Carolyn

Start-up Problem - White Screen Open Firmware

Hi
Just turned my eMAc on and got a new beeping sound, the little light on the front flashed several times and then the screen went completely white with the following message;
Apple PowerMac 6,4 4.8.2f1 BootROM built on 03/11/04 at 09:18:55
Copyroght 1994 - 2004 Apple Computer, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Welcome to Open Firmware, the system time and date is: 07:26:35 10/20/2006
To continue booting, type "mac-boot" and press return
To shut down, type "shut-down" and press return
ok
0 >
I typed in 'mac-boot' and return and everything starts and 'appears' to work as normal.
I have shut down and restarted twice and the same thing happens. I also noticed that the push button switch seems to be sticking.
My question is - Is this a hardware issue (the start button is faulty) or is it a software (firmware, corrupt file)?
Many thanks for help and advice
Mick

It's possible it's a hardware problem, but first I'd suggest you try resetting Open Firmware:
At the 0 > prompt, type:
reset-nvram
and press Return
At the 0 > prompt, type:
set-defaults
and press Return
At the 0 > prompt, type:
reset-all
and press Return.
With luck, that will clear things and you'll be back to booting normally.
Hope this helps.

Long tone on start up and then goes into open firmware

I stumbled upon the older posts here and thought I'd add a solution.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6115258
It was about an emac starting up with a long tone and the led flashes a few times and then goes into Open firmware, and when doing "mac-boot" in open firmware, it attempts to start, shows the apple symbol, the screen goes dim and crashes.
It could be a bad power switch. To confirm - you can remove the emac case, be careful not to touch the motitor's picture tube. Find the cable to the power switch; with a small wire just touch together the black and red wires on the power switch cable (or it might be red and green). This will start the emac. If it boots up and runs OK then the power switch was bad. Not sure where to buy a new switch. I soldered and glued my switch together.
<Edited by Moderator>

Or, you'll find both the short pigtail-cabled nVidia graphics driven power switch and the version with a longer cable used with the AIT graphics driven models here* for a good deal less.
Note that the later ATI version can actually be used with either product generation.
*I may receive compensation as a result of parts or services being ordered by users specified at the link shown in this message.

I downloaded a adobe flash update and my computer and after next logon got a blue screen. could only start in safe mode and until uninstalling the flash player could i safe mode with networking. i cannot open any microsoft products now. I get a message

i downloaded an adobe flash update and my computer after next logon got a blue screen. I could only start in safe mode and until uninstalling the flash player could i start in safe mode with networking. i cannot open any microsoft products now. I get a message saying adobe acrobat 10 is not designed to run on windows or uninstall and reinstall it ....but it will not let me uninstall it. What do i do? is this all an adobe issue or a windows problem?? thanks Tim

Hate to suggest this, but you need to ask in the Flash forum. This forum is for Acrobat.

TS3899 I can preview email when it arrives (I chose 5 lines) but when I then go to open up the full email, I see only the header info (To, Subject & Date); nothing in the body...it is blank. This only started recently as before, it worked as expected. He

I can preview email when it arrives (I chose 5 lines) but when I then go to open up the full email, I see only the header info (To, Subject & Date); nothing in the body...it is blank. This only started recently as before, it worked as expected. Help?

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When the issue is on their end, unfortunately there's not much for users to do beyond wait it out or find work arounds.

Starts in Open Firmware. No OS

Short story,
When I turn on the Pismo, I get open firmware. I beleive the Hard Drive was formatted, and maybe partitioned eternally through a PC program called Macdrive. I have the software Restore Disc, and the software Install Disc. Neither will boot. I have reset the Pram, and Nvram through open firmware. All i get is a blinking '?' on Boot. How can i install the OS 9 back on this Mac?
Long Story,
I was given two G3 Pismo's and told to wipe them clean, and donate them. They would not powerup, as they had been sitting a long time. I took the hard drives out, and cleaned them (deleted files that seemed private) with a PC program called Macdrive. I then learned to Unplug the Pram Battery and this would powerup the Mac, and then boot to OS 9.1. I can't remember, but I may have used Macdrive to Reformat and/or Repartition the Hard drive.
I then became hooked on Mac, and decided to keep one of them. Now when I power it up, I end up getting open firmware, and I cannot boot into OS 9.1 I'm not familiar with Mac Commands, so how can I boot from the Software CD?
Holding down C while powerup does not work.

slow horse,
Until the issue of why you are booting into OF is solved, installing a fresh OS on the HD will not help; the boot into OF occurs long before any software loads. A normal cold start will produce the startup chime, then the raster (gray screen), then either a flashing '?' (no bootable volume found) or it starts to load the OS. I don't know why you are getting into OF. If the powerbook worked normally before you removed the HD, remove it again (and leave it out), then see if you can start to a normal startup chime and get to the flashing '?'. If you can, then see if it will boot a CD. If this is a successful test, then something may be wrong with the HD and/or HD ribbon cable.
However, assuming you solve the OF issue, this article discusses the differences between the Restore CD and the System Install CD. You should be able to boot to either barring any hardware problem.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=31204
If you cannot boot to the CDs, you can connect the Pismo to your iBook via FireWire Target Disk Mode:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58583
You of course can also remove the HD, place it in an external FireWire or USB HD case and install software from the iBook.
If you have access to a FireWire CDRW or DVD burner, you can in most cases boot to a CD or DVD when connecting to the Pismo's FireWire port. Use the option key startup in this case.
If you connect to an iBook, you will not be able to use your Powerbook G3 Software CDs; the installer on the Powerbook CD sees an iBook, not a Pismo. If connected via FireWire Target Disk Mode, the Pismo is seen as just another external HD, nothing else. Depending on which version iBook you have, you can follow one of two procedures, and both will work regardless of how you connect the Pismo's HD to the iBook.
1. If the Pismo's HD mounts on the iBook's desktop, use 9.x's Drive Setup to initialize the HD; this will also automatically update the HD driver. If using 10.x's Disk Utility to initialize the HD, make sure you check the option 'Install MacOS 9 HD Driver'; if you do not, your Pismo will not boot to 9.x. When initializing with 10.x, be SURE to select the topmost name in the list in the left column; this is the HD's model number...do not select the HD's user-given name.
2. If the iBook has 9.1 > 9.2.2 installed, you should be able to drag-copy the System Folder from the iBook to the Pismo's HD. Be sure the System Folder is "blessed" after dragging it over to the HD: Open the System Folder icon, double-click the System file (suitcase), then close all windows.
3. You can also use the iBook's System CDs to install software on the Pismo's HD. Depending on what version software came with the iBook:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42929
If the above instructions are not the correct version, please let me know exactly what OS came with the iBook.

HT3024 after installing airport extreme card into g4 ibook 1.07ghz 512 ram it will only boot to open firmware, any ideas why? please help!

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

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G3PB now starts with Open Firmware page.

G3 PB running Os X 10.2.8 and now have Open Firmware page when starting. It has just begun doing this. I didn't think much of it at first but now each time I start I have the Open Firmware page asking me to type in "mac-boot" to start. It seems to go through the normal start after this but I am wondering what happened and how to avoid getting the Open Firmware start page?

firstfrost,
Your computer should not boot into Open Firmware without a prompt. Corrupted PRAM can cause this issue; reset and test.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

Only Starts Up in Open Firmware

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