Drive won't open

Hey Geoff,
Is this a Super Drive? Did it happen after the 2010-001 update?
Richard

Hey Geoff,

think it's a super drive.

Go to:
About this Mac > More info > ATA
Your drive will be listed there.

I don't know what the 2010-001 update is so can't answer that...Would those details be in a log somewhere on my computer?

Yup go into:
System Preferences > Software Update > Installed Updates > Open as Log File
That will tell you the last update.
2010-001 was the first update this year.
We're dealing with a problem with drives not opening on the eMac forum but these were all CD drives. I've also seen some problems with the MacBook Pro being posted.
Richard

Hey Geoff,

when I push the eject key no icon comes on the screen as it always has in the past

Have you tried a different keyboard?

Well here's my machine:
2009-07-11 10:21:22 -0500: Installed "Java for Mac OS X 10.4, Release 9" (1.0)
2009-07-11 10:23:27 -0500: Installed "Safari" (4.0.2)
2010-01-19 15:56:21 -0600: Installed "QuickTime" (7.6.4)
2010-01-19 15:58:17 -0600: Installed "iTunes" (9.0.2)
2010-01-19 16:01:46 -0600: Installed "Security Update 2009-005 (PowerPC)" (1.0)
2010-02-11 08:14:15 -0600: Installed "Safari" (4.0.4)
2010-02-11 08:17:05 -0600: Installed "iTunes" (9.0.3)

So basically the same updates.
Model: PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-104
and mine is working fine but it's an earlier model.
I've heard that these Pioneers are less dependable than the other drives.
but then again no icon. So keyboard or software problem. Do you have the original boot disk?

I welcome any ammunition that might convince my wife we should be a two Mac family... or even better, a two-new-Mac family.

Well the G4s are getting a bit old in terms of processor intensive tasks. Like streaming video, Java and the like and being Power Macs they're left behind with the intro of Snow Leopard.
If you decide to upgrade you could donate that G4. I take them here in Chicago and depending where you are in WI there are places there as well.

Richard

Message was edited by: spudnuty

Hey Geoff,
Actually we use iMac G3s at Baker Demonstration School for the PreK - 2nd kids. I run OS 9 and load Self Mounting Images of Kid Pix IV, Alphabet Express, Zoombinis, Green Eggs and Ham etc.
The G4s are in the Mac Lab along with 2 G5 towers, 4 iMac G5s, 3 MDD G4 Towers and 6 G4 Sawtooths.
Everything else goes here:
Harry Porterfield did a piece on me a few years ago.
http://www.vimeo.com/clip:150591
Here's the URL to the TV station site:
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=5097319

So to places like in that story an iMac G4 is a real resource.
Places I donate to in the inner city I setup in a similar manner.

Richard

Message was edited by: spudnuty

Hey Geoff,
Hmm the URL for that video seems to have changed. It's here:
http://www.vimeo.com/150591

That's a good place for an "old" computer to go to.

Well there are a lot of places like this. If you're near Milwaukee and have PCs to donate check out Independence First:
http://www.independencefirst.org/home/index.asp
They will take anything P-III and above. I usually wind up with their Macs.
Richard

Message was edited by: spudnuty

Looks like you have solved your problem, but since I finally got mine to work I thought I would post here for future searchers.

My iMac G4 (the hemisphere with flat panel on a swing arm) is not booting, sounds like a disk problem. I wanted to put in a boot DVD but could not get the tray to open. I tried the mouse button down while booting, option, eject, command-option-O-F, everything I could find recommended online or in the manual... went back to my orignal mac mouse instead of the logitech wireless I have been using for years. After reading some of the posts, I finally plugged the mouse into the Mac instead of the keyboard, Wa-lah the mouse button down while rebooting worked the first time. Now if I can just get it to boot from the DVD... so far C on the keyboard while booting not working.

so far C on the keyboard while booting not working.

Is this an Apple keyboard or a third-party board?