Foxy754

Q: When iMac G4 Boots up everything loads then I get a blue screen

I recently purchased an iMac G4 in really good condition off of craigslist. It is a 15" 700 MHz early 2002 model. When it turns on I get the loading screen and the progress bar goes all the way through like normal. However, once it finishes then it goes to the desktop which is just a blue screen. It has no bar on the top and no application list on the bottom. This is not the blue screen of death. The mouse still moves. I borrowed an OS X 10.4 install disc from a friend and the only way I can get it to open to put the disc in is to click and hold the mouse when I boot it up. The disc never regesters when I put it in. If anyone can help that would be awesome!

 

Thanks!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 15" 700 MHz 512 MBs RAM 40GB HDD.

Posted on Aug 18, 2015 8:23 AM

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Q: When iMac G4 Boots up everything loads then I get a blue screen

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  • by Foxy754,

    Foxy754 Foxy754 Aug 20, 2015 1:09 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 20, 2015 1:09 PM in response to rccharles

    When I type "mv applesetupdone applesetupdone.old" It responds saying "mv: rename .applesetupdone to applesetupdone.old: No such file or directory" The only discs I have are the ones I already attached the picture of. I didn't put them in. Do I need to at this point?

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 20, 2015 3:20 PM in response to Foxy754
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 20, 2015 3:20 PM in response to Foxy754

    Actually, the first character should be a period ( . ) .

     

    # -i prompts you in case the target file already exits.

    # without the -i the target ( .applesetupdone.old  ) file is overwritten.

    mv -i  .applesetupdone .applesetupdone.old

     

    do a

    ls -la

    to see what files exits in the directory/folder.

     

    When the file .applesetupdone does not exit at boot time, mac os x will create a new admin account among other things.

     

    R

  • by Foxy754,

    Foxy754 Foxy754 Aug 20, 2015 5:59 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 20, 2015 5:59 PM in response to rccharles

    Heres what I did and I'm back to blue screen... Sorry for some reason they imported sideways... IMG_6989.JPGIMG_6989 2.JPGIMG_6989 3.JPG

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 20, 2015 8:43 PM in response to Foxy754
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 20, 2015 8:43 PM in response to Foxy754

    Are all three screens the same?  Looks like it.

     

    The file .applesetupdone  doesn't exit, but not joy.  Nothing to do by find a valid cd/dvd.

     

    We do not know why it is failing.

     

    Could try command + v

    to get verbose boot.

    Mac OS X: How to start up in single-user or verbose mode - Apple Support

     

    Could try looking around in the log files.  I'll boot up my Tiger soon'ish.

     

    Robert

  • by Foxy754,

    Foxy754 Foxy754 Aug 22, 2015 10:01 AM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 22, 2015 10:01 AM in response to rccharles

    I tried the Command V boot. I then got these screens and now it is in the same screen. Occasionally it goes into a black screen with text. If I were to buy a hard drive and replace it and then boot the OS X discs I have would that work? What I'm asking is if replacing a hard drive would work.IMG_7021.jpgIMG_7022.jpg

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 22, 2015 10:27 AM in response to Foxy754
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 22, 2015 10:27 AM in response to Foxy754

    You need to find valid OS discs.  I'd go for tiger.

     

    The disk is getting old.  The file system had a problem.  Surprising.  A safe boot should have fixed it.

     

    You need a special tool to tighten the metal arm.  For this reason, I'd recommend an external firewire hd.

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 22, 2015 12:50 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 22, 2015 12:50 PM in response to rccharles

    You may be able to get something out of reading the logs.  Degree of difficulty: Moderate.  Making sense of the logs: difficult.

     

    Boot to console: see above.  All information from 10.4.11 tiger.

     

    The boot time logs are in "/library/logs/Console"  The logs files are in your numeric userid directory.  In my case, 1000.  In your case, 500 (probably).

     

    current boot file log:

    console.log

    prior:

    console.log.0

     

    mac $ ls /library/logs
    AppleFileService/          CrashReporter/            SystemMigration.log        vncserver-service.log.bak
    CCC.log                    DirectoryService/          macvnc-service.log
    CCC.stats                  LogMeIn@                  macvnc-service.log.bak
    Console/                  Software Update.log        vncserver-service.log
    mac $ cd /library/logs/Console/
    /library/logs/Console
    mac $ ls
    0/    1000/ 501/  502/  503/  504/  505/  506/  507/  508/  509/  510/  511/  512/
    mac $ ls -l
    total 0
    drwx------    7 root      admin  238B Dec  5  2010 0/
    drwx------  13 mac      admin  442B Aug 22 14:45 1000/
    drwx------    8 mac      admin  272B Aug 27  2006 501/
    drwx------  13 me        admin  442B Apr 20  2010 502/
    drwx------  13 mysideki  admin  442B Feb 24  2014 503/
    drwx------    6 seeker    admin  204B Dec 12  2009 504/
    drwx------    8 fv        admin  272B Nov  6  2013 505/
    drwx------  10 506      admin  340B Jun 11  2013 506/
    drwx------  13 standard  admin  442B May  2  2014 507/
    drwx------  13 508      admin  442B Aug 31  2010 508/
    drwx------    6 509      admin  204B Jun 21  2009 509/
    drwx------  13 student  admin  442B Jun  2  2011 510/
    drwx------  13 compile  admin  442B Dec 31  1969 511/
    drwx------    3 512      admin  102B Sep 28  2013 512/
    mac $ cd 1000
    /library/logs/Console/1000
    mac $ ls
    console.log    console.log.1  console.log.3  console.log.5  console.log.7  console.log.9
    console.log.0  console.log.2  console.log.4  console.log.6  console.log.8
    mac $ cat console.log | less
    mac $ ls -l            
    total 376
    -rw-------  1 mac  admin    14K Aug 22 14:49 console.log
    -rw-------  1 mac  admin    15K Aug 13 11:22 console.log.0
    -rw-------  1 mac  admin    16K Jul 31 23:03 console.log.1
    -rw-------  1 mac  admin    17K Jul 31 03:15 console.log.2
    -rw-------  1 mac  admin    13K Jul 29 21:58 console.log.3
    -rw-------  1 mac  admin    13K Jul 28 22:52 console.log.4
    -rw-------  1 mac  admin    13K Jul 21 19:42 console.log.5
    -rw-------  1 mac  admin    16K Jun 27 14:30 console.log.6
    -rw-------  1 mac  admin    14K Jun 23 17:18 console.log.7
    -rw-------  1 mac  admin    13K Jun 15 21:28 console.log.8
    -rw-------  1 mac  admin    14K Jun 14 17:43 console.log.9
    mac $ nano console.log.0
    mac $
    
    
    
    

     

    There are lots of other logs.  The log files are in multiple places with overlaping directories/files it seems.

    /var/log

    /library/logs

     

    & some your home folder.

     

    mac $ cd /var/log
    /var/log
    mac $ ls
    AppleJack.log          install.log.0.gz        lpr.log.0.gz            netinfo.log.4.gz        system.log.0.gz
    CDIS.custom            install.log.1.gz        lpr.log.1.gz            ppp/                    system.log.1.gz
    FTPStats.plist          install.log.2.gz        lpr.log.2.gz            ppp.log                system.log.2.gz
    OSInstall.custom        install.log.3.gz        lpr.log.3.gz            ppp.log.0.gz            system.log.3.gz
    asl.log                install.log.4.gz        lpr.log.4.gz            ppp.log.1.gz            system.log.4.gz
    crashreporter.log      ipfw.log                mail.log                ppp.log.2.gz            system.log.5.gz
    cups/                  ipfw.log.0.gz          mail.log.0.gz          ppp.log.3.gz            system.log.6.gz
    daily.out              ipfw.log.1.gz          mail.log.1.gz          ppp.log.4.gz            system.log.7.gz
    fax/                    ipfw.log.2.gz          mail.log.2.gz          pureftpd.log            weekly.out
    ftp.log                ipfw.log.3.gz          mail.log.3.gz          sa/                    windowserver.log
    ftp.log.0.gz            ipfw.log.4.gz          mail.log.4.gz          samba/                  windowserver_last.log
    ftp.log.1.gz            lastlog                mb.log                  secure.log              wtmp
    ftp.log.2.gz            lookupd.log.0.gz        monthly.out            secure.log.0.gz        wtmp.0.gz
    ftp.log.3.gz            lookupd.log.1.gz        netinfo.log            secure.log.1.gz        wtmp.1.gz
    ftp.log.4.gz            lookupd.log.2.gz        netinfo.log.0.gz        secure.log.2.gz        wtmp.2.gz
    httpd/                  lookupd.log.3.gz        netinfo.log.1.gz        secure.log.3.gz        wtmp.3.gz
    icdevnotifications.log  lookupd.log.4.gz        netinfo.log.2.gz        secure.log.4.gz        wtmp.4.gz
    install.log            lpr.log                netinfo.log.3.gz        system.log
    mac $ nano system.log
    mac $ ls /library/logs
    AppleFileService/          CrashReporter/            SystemMigration.log        vncserver-service.log.bak
    CCC.log                    DirectoryService/          macvnc-service.log
    CCC.stats                  LogMeIn@                  macvnc-service.log.bak
    Console/                  Software Update.log        vncserver-service.log
    
    
    

     

     

    nano is your friend for a simple edit requiring system privileges.


     

    In the console, when you see # as the prompt instead of $, you do not need the sudo command.

     

    Macintosh-HD -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal
    #The sudo command will ask for your administration password. No
    # characters will appear when typing your password. Press return
    # when done typing.
    # Make a backup with the copy command, cp
    mac $ sudo cp -i /etc/hosts /etc/hosts.previous
    Password:
    # The mouse doesn't work.  Use the cursor keys to move around.
    # Use delete to get rid of a character.
    # Frequently used commands are listed out the bottom of screen.
    # Confirmation messages appear at bottom too!
    # Use control+o to save. 
    # The ^ means to use the control key plus the letter
    mac $ sudo nano /etc/hosts
    mac $


    Robert

  • by Foxy754,

    Foxy754 Foxy754 Aug 22, 2015 2:57 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 22, 2015 2:57 PM in response to rccharles

    Okay. I'm confused. So, I have the discs for 10.4.8 for this iMac because it doesn't specify what machine. I can put those discs in it once I replace the hard drive, which I am happy to do. I know my way around inside so it wont be a problem for me. Is that what I should do? Thanks.

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 22, 2015 3:10 PM in response to Foxy754
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 22, 2015 3:10 PM in response to Foxy754

    I'd see what happens when you install the dvd on the current hd. The dvd should work.  The dvd should boot.  Changing one thing at a time is the best way to proceed.

     

    Once you see what happens after the install... The hd is probably rather old.  Would be good to replace.

     

    R

  • by Foxy754,

    Foxy754 Foxy754 Aug 22, 2015 3:13 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 22, 2015 3:13 PM in response to rccharles

    Nothing happens when I put the disc in. I open it and put it in. I hear it spin for a little but I get no popups or anything. The only stuff I have gotten is that blue screen you have seen or the console.

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 22, 2015 4:47 PM in response to Foxy754
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 22, 2015 4:47 PM in response to Foxy754

    Try this:

     

    Start with DVD in drive. Power off your machine. Hold down the option key when you poweron. This will bring up the startup manager. Click on cd/dvd. Click on right arrow. ( I think that this is your best approach. )

     

    Your startup manager may be slightly different, but this is the idea.

    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106178

     

     

    Sometimes if volumes don't appear in Startup Manager (what you get when you hold down the Option key at startup), you need to reset the Mac's PRAM, NVRAM, and Open Firmware. Shut down the Mac, then power it up, and before the screen lights up, quickly hold down the Command, Option, P, and R keys, until the Mac has chimed twice more after the powerup chime.

     

    Then, before the screen lights up, hold down Command-Option-O-F until the Open Firmware screen appears. Then enter these lines, pressing Return after each one:

     

    reset-nvram

    set-defaults

    reset-all

     

    "The reset-all command should restart your Mac. If so, you have successfully reset the Open Firmware settings."

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1812?viewlocale=en_US

     

    Should the fail...

    Try taking the battery out for 10 minutes.  Put battery back in.  Cross fingers. Power the machine back on.

  • by Foxy754,

    Foxy754 Foxy754 Aug 24, 2015 5:24 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 24, 2015 5:24 PM in response to rccharles

    Okay. I followed those instructions and it booted back to my blue screen with mouse. How do I take the battery out. While I'm working around inside, as I have a replacement drive ready, should I put it in too? Thanks. Also, Once I get this machine booted I am going to try to boot an eMac off of it because its now in Read Only. (You can read about that here... Re: eMac won't boot up.)IMG_7053.jpg

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 24, 2015 7:43 PM in response to Foxy754
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 24, 2015 7:43 PM in response to Foxy754

    That was a canned reply.  I've got lots of them.  Some folks are more excited about the battery than me. I left the part about the battery, because it might work for some people.  The article is one I wrote up when I was answering more questions about the iMac g3.

     

    Can you boot off of a mac in target disk mode, your eMac?

     

    CD/dvd drive sharing.

     

    cd sharing across ethernet.

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5287

     

    You could try target disk mode if you have another mac around.
    http://www.dan-taylor.com/reinstalling-mac-os-x-without-a-dvd-drive-target-disk- mode/

     

    R

  • by Foxy754,

    Foxy754 Foxy754 Aug 25, 2015 1:35 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 25, 2015 1:35 PM in response to rccharles

    If the target disc is when I put the disc in and then I hold option while booting up, that doesn't work. the disc doesn't show. The eMac doesn't boot at all. It is in read only mode and I need the iMac to fix it.

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 26, 2015 10:25 AM in response to Foxy754
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 26, 2015 10:25 AM in response to Foxy754

    Foxy754 wrote:

     

    If the target disc is when I put the disc in and then I hold option while booting up, that doesn't work. the disc doesn't show. The eMac doesn't boot at all. It is in read only mode and I need the iMac to fix it.

    I assume the disc is in the iMac g4.  Comments:

    -- got the correct boot procedure?

    Try this:

     

    Start with DVD in drive. Power off your machine. Hold down the option key when you poweron. This will bring up the startup manager. Click on cd/dvd. Click on right arrow. ( I think that this is your best approach. )

     

    Your statup manager may be slightly different, but this is the idea.

    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106178

     

    -- maybe the dvd drive is bad.  Not sure how to tell if internal drive is bad.  Hardware test any one?

    = try external dvd drive connected by firewire [ a must ].  hack an external hd by connecting dvd drive to external firewire hd drive. This works for me.

     

    = replace internal drive. 

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