My iMac G3 won't start up

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Level 1

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My iMac G3 won't start up

I have this problem with my iMac G3 computer as in it won't start up as normally as it has been.

Actually to be more precise, when you turn it on, it just shows a folder with a the smiley iMac face and a question mark flashing at short intervals.

I have tried installing using a bootable Mac OS X cd but nothing happens.Please help

iMac G3, Family number M4984

Posted on Sep 27, 2010 11:54 PM

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Answer 1

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Sep 28, 2010 7:15 AM in response to brayo

Hey brayo and Welcome to Apple Discussions,

it just shows a folder with a the smiley iMac face and a question mark flashing at short intervals.

Yes that's the classic symptom of a Mac not able to find a viable operating system. Usually it means your hard drive is dead/corrupted.

I have tried installing using a bootable Mac OS X cd but nothing happens.

Well would this be a bootable CD with an operating system on it appropriate to the iMac? A retail installer or the original system disks?
Richard

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Answer 2

brayo Author

Level 1

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Sep 29, 2010 11:29 PM in response to spudnuty

Thanks but i still don't understand one thing. If my hard disk is dead or corrupted then what should i do next..... Is there any possible way to revive back....Okay it was using the Mac Os 9 version but can Mac Os X bootable disk be a solution also..........Please help??

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Answer 3

Jeff

Level 6

12,316 points

Sep 30, 2010 3:33 PM in response to brayo

A retail version of the Mac OS X installer disk is a universal installer and will boot a G3 iMac, but it depends on the model iMac and version of OS X in question. Your G3 iMac model M4984 has a tray loading CD-ROM drive, so it's either a 233, 266, or 333 MHz model. None of these iMacs can run anything newer than Panther (10.3.x). Additionally, the specific firmware for that model must be run, before attempting to install OS X. To run OS X, the memory must also be increased from the amount that capably ran OS 8.x->9.x.

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Answer 4

brayo Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 6, 2010 4:06 AM in response to Jeff

Thanks Jeff but how do I run the specific firmware on my model.And if the firmware works then how will i install the Operating system by using a bootable disk or what other way will i use??Thanks in advance.

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Answer 5

Oct 6, 2010 4:21 AM in response to brayo

brayo wrote:

Richard asked ... "would this be a bootable CD with an operating system on it appropriate to the iMac? A retail installer or the original system disks?"

What are you using for a System CD?

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