Level 2

325 points

How to archive and install?

The past two days my iMac won't boot up to OS X 10.3.9. It hangs up at "Waiting for network file system" or sometimes at "Login window starting" with the progress indicator about 90% full. I tried using Disk Warrior 3 but the computer spits it out (it's more like oozing out and I have to help it out). Two different sources suggested I "archive and install", but frankly I don't remember how to do that.

Also, I never had the original disc but do have one with OS X 10.3.8 update that Apple very kindly provided me with years ago.

I can boot to my OS 9.2.2 partition. I used DW 2 off OS 9.2.2 to work on OS X partition; it did the graph but hung up when I selected "rebuild directory".

Help,please!
~Grev

iMac DV 400 Blueberry,512 mb RAM, Mac OS X (10.3.x), Windows XP SP2 on HP Compaq Presario Notebook

Posted on Jan 27, 2010 1:44 PM

34 replies

Grev Author

Level 2

325 points

Feb 7, 2010 4:13 PM in response to cornelius

Cornelius - I do have one concern. I used Disk Utility>Repair Disk that's on the OS X 10.3.5 install disc. When done it said "HFS volume repaired". I then did Repair Permissions.

When I restarted and tried to boot to OS X 10.3.9, it ended same as before: "Login window starting" and stayed there with about 98% of progress indicator full.

I just wonder if this should be corrected before I use the Tiger install disc or does it matter?

~Grev

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Feb 8, 2010 11:45 AM in response to Grev

Grev:

If you continue to have problems it might be better to backup any data you have, then completely reformat your HDD and do a fresh install of Tiger, assuming the install disk you are getting is the Full Retail Version. Post back if you need step by step directions for this procedure.

😉 cornelius

Grev Author

Level 2

325 points

Feb 11, 2010 4:13 PM in response to cornelius

Cornelius - I received the OS X 10.4.3 Tiger disc today. How can I tell if it's the "Full Retail Version"? This is on the label of the disc: "Mac OS X Tiger, Includes Xcode 2, Install DVD .....Replacement DVD, Not for Resale, SRF2Z691-5599-A".

~Grev

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Feb 11, 2010 4:50 PM in response to Grev

How can I tell if it's the "Full Retail Version"?

If it says Replacement DVD, then it's not retail. However, if it is not computer specific it may be a universal installer. If it is not gray and/or does not have the name of a specific computer on it, and if it does not say upgrade or drop-in, you should be in good order. You should know when you attempt to boot from it.

😉 cornelius

Grev Author

Level 2

325 points

Feb 11, 2010 9:58 PM in response to cornelius

Cornelius - Good news and bad news: the good news is that Tiger is now installed (Archive and Install). The bad news is two-fold: it doesn't recognize my password; so I can't log in.
Also, the Tiger install disc is stuck in the slot. Shutting down or restart or the paper clip doesn't work.

I'll post two new topics: "Tiger install disc stuck in slot" and "Newly installed Tiger not accepting my password".

~Grev

Grev Author

Level 2

325 points

Feb 11, 2010 11:48 PM in response to Grev

Update to my last post: the CD is out. I found one tip from the Forum that helped: I powered up and held down the mouse button and the disc came out enough for me to ease it out.

I'm in the process of searching the Forum for the login problem. So far Single-user approach is not working for me.

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Feb 12, 2010 7:03 AM in response to Grev

Grev:

OK, so I see the install disk has been ejected. I hate to suggest this,(since you will need to boot from the install disk, again) but have you tried booting from the install disk, going to the Utilities menu and select Reset Password, and reset it there. See Resetting the account password then click on resetting the original admin password.

😉 cornelius

Grev Author

Level 2

325 points

Feb 12, 2010 11:23 AM in response to cornelius

Cornelius - I just did as you suggested. I booted to the Tiger install disc; chose reset password from the Utilities menu. I entered the new password and restarted selecting Tiger on the internal HD.

To my surprise it still refused my login. The login window just shook back and forth.

Do you think the battery might be the cause? The last and only time I had it replaced was in 2002.

~Grev

Grev Author

Level 2

325 points

Feb 12, 2010 9:25 PM in response to cornelius

Cornelius - I'm happy to say I can now login but not the "usual way". Instead of seeing my name in the upper right corner of the screen,it says "System Administrator" In getting this far,the only option in the pull-down menu was "System Administrator (root)". As it turned out there was nothing wrong with my password, but rather the name. I replaced my name with the word "Root" and it then opened up a new window "Mac OS X Setup Assistant".

Can I just continue this way?

~Grev

Grev Author

Level 2

325 points

Feb 13, 2010 11:23 AM in response to Grev

I'd like to thank both of you, Cornelius and Texas Mac Man, for all your help.

~Grev

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Feb 13, 2010 3:30 PM in response to Grev

grev:

Not sure why you need to change the Account Name to Root. You should be logging into an account as the owner of that account with privileges to administer the computer. You should not have to change to being a Root user. You may continue and we'll see what happens. We can switch things around later if we need to.

😉 cornelius

Grev Author

Level 2

325 points

Feb 16, 2010 12:50 PM in response to cornelius

cornelius - As I recall,I didn't have a choice at the time. The only selection was Root. Anyhow, later on I was able to created the Admin account with my name as the Account. So I'm logging in as you suggest and so far all's ok.

~Grev

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Feb 16, 2010 5:04 PM in response to Grev

Grev:

Good going. Keep us updated, and holler if you run into stuff you need to talk about.

😉 cornelius

roam

Level 6

13,637 points

Feb 17, 2010 4:46 AM in response to cornelius

Good going

And good going to you Cornelius, for helping Grev so patiently.

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Feb 17, 2010 7:33 AM in response to roam

Hey roam!

Nice to see you in the neighborhood, again. I don't see you around as often as I did previously. Thanks for the kind words. Patience is not, normally, one of my virtues. However, it is good working with someone who is willing to work with you. Besides, I always learn from these exchanges.

😉 cornelius

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How to archive and install?