Power Mac won't recognize startup disk.

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Level 1

40 points

Power Mac won't recognize startup disk.

I am trying to use a Norton SystemWorks 3.0 original boot CD as my startup disk so I can run Norton recover file app.. I tried booting with the CD in the internal Superdrive by holding down the option key. The pick your startup volume window appeared but only the internal HD startup volume appeared. I also tried booting from the same Norton CD by using the Preference Startup Disk options. When I tried this, the Norton CD appeared, I selected it and confirmed that I wanted to change to the Norton CD as my startup disk. However, when the system rebooted it booted from the internal HD startup volume and not the Norton CD as selected. I finally tried to boot with the Norton CD in the Superdrive and holding down the "c" key. The system never booted. I got the mac folder and ? mark instead. This is my first Power Mac...can you tell me what I'm doing wrong? If I try the same Norton CD as a startup disk in an iMac using 10.4.3, it works ok. THANKS!

G5 Power Mac Dual, Mac OS X (10.4.3), 2.5 Ram

Posted on Dec 22, 2005 2:43 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 22, 2005 3:23 PM in response to LK

First off, forget Norton's. Ever since the beginnings of OS X, it has caused more troubles than solutions. I've had good experiences with Techtool Pro but I don't think it can recover a lost file. Now to your problem. Insert the OS X install disk into your drive. At the first menu, go up into the menu bar and you'll see an option to "change startup disk." If your g5 see's the OS on the drive, it will show up and you can select it there. If not, you might have to do an "archive and install" to get back without loosing any of your data.

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Answer 2

LK Author

Level 1

40 points

Dec 22, 2005 4:29 PM in response to The Innovator

Hello:

Thanks for your reply. I'm not sure if I follow...you want me to boot from the OS X install disk and then check if I can see the Norton CD on the OSX install disk change Startup menu option? I'm going to try that...then have to run out for a few minutes. Appreciate your time and suggestions...I'll try and get back with you. THANKS! Enjoy your Quad!!!!!

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Answer 3

Dec 22, 2005 5:55 PM in response to LK

When you boot from the OS X install disc, see if it finds the OS on the internal hard drive. It won't find anything from Norton as that cd will be out of the drive. Start there. If it works, then that will get you back to where you were before you tried to use Norton's.

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Answer 4

LK Author

Level 1

40 points

Dec 22, 2005 5:59 PM in response to The Innovator

Hi:

Back again. I tried the OSX install disk and its startup disk menu option. However, since I had the install disk in the Superdrive I could swap it out to see if the Norton CD would be recognized. I was glad to find out that the Superdrive will recognize a startup or boot disk, i.e., OSX install disk. So, it's not the Superdrive. There's nothing wrong with my system...I just wanted to try to use Norton file recovery to retrieve some Mail messages I deleted by accident. I know there is a problem with Norton and 10.4.x. I'm looking at replacing it with either Tech Tools Pro, Drive Genius or just using Apple Disk Utility, Onyx and iPartition and iDefrag. If you think of anything esle, please let me know. Thanks for your time. I love my Dual...your're going to love the Quad! Cheers!

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Answer 5

LK Author

Level 1

40 points

Aug 13, 2006 8:59 AM in response to LK

Great help...THANKS!

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