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Q: iMac G3 stuck at happy mac screen

I Got given an a Purple iMac G3 (tray-loading) from a friend.  When you turn it on it loads and then it gets stuck at the happy Mac and displays a colorful spinning disc.  The issue is that I have a restore disc for it but for someone reason the computer will not start using the c key or option key on the keyboard. I am able to reset the pram and get into open firmware though. I have also reset the rom using open firmware. Is there anyway that I can start into the iMac restore disc using open firmware command of some sort.  Because I am stumped why it won't let me boot the cd using the c or option key. 

Posted on Apr 11, 2016 5:05 PM

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Q: iMac G3 stuck at happy mac screen

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Apr 11, 2016 5:23 PM in response to MacsAreGreat
    Level 8 (38,248 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 11, 2016 5:23 PM in response to MacsAreGreat

    Is the disc you are using a full Mac OS installation disc?  Is it the disc that came with that particular Mac?  If it's a disc that came with another Mac, it may not work on that Mac model?  If the disc is a full retail Mac OS installation disc, it needs to be a version that supports the old iMac G3 tray-loader.  Also, it only has a CDROM drive, so it can't be a DVD.

     

    So, I guess you should describe the disc you are trying to use to start up the old iMac...

  • by MacsAreGreat,

    MacsAreGreat MacsAreGreat Apr 11, 2016 5:28 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 11, 2016 5:28 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    It is an orange disc that says iMac software install that came with the computer, and that have have verified is working with another iMac G3. I have also tried Puma, Jaguar, and Panther disc that work also with other computers.  The only difference with the other iMac is that it is orange, but it is also a tray-loading model.

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Apr 11, 2016 7:19 PM in response to MacsAreGreat
    Level 8 (38,248 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 11, 2016 7:19 PM in response to MacsAreGreat

    When you turn it on it loads and then it gets stuck at the happy Mac and displays a colorful spinning disc. 

    You're saying when you try to start up normally (from the internal drive), it does not work, correct?

     

    If the same orange disc works with another tray-loader iMac G3, it should work with the purple one.  It could be the optical drive; those tray-loader iMac G3 optical drives tend to be fragile.  When you insert the disc and restart it with the C key held down, do you hear any access sounds coming from the drive? 

     

    If its PRAM battery has never been changed, a weak or dead PRAM battery can cause startup issues.