rodbrent

Q: eMac boots, shows logo then goes black

Our eMac (G4 1GHz/256/80) has been used in a while and would not boot. The Apple logo comes up and the spinning icon spins then the whole screen goes black. The PRAM battery was dead and I replaced it, but the eMac still has the same symptoms. Any ideas?

 

-Rod

iMac

Posted on May 29, 2011 3:33 PM

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Q: eMac boots, shows logo then goes black

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  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones May 29, 2011 4:34 PM in response to rodbrent
    Level 8 (35,039 points)
    iPad
    May 29, 2011 4:34 PM in response to rodbrent

    Try starting in Safe Mode, by holding the SHIFT key down at boot until you either get a safe boot message or a stable desktop.

     

    If you get a stable desktop, don't try using the computer yet. Do a normal restart and see if you get stability. Safe Model does directory checking and clean-up, but does not allow most of the extensions you need to load. That's why a regular start is needed to see if you achieved normality.

     

    If that doesn't work, do a cold boot while holding command + option + p + r to reset the PRAM. You may feel like you need to have a pet octopus help with this, but it's doable. Continue holding that key combo until you hear a TOTAL of three startup chimes, then let go. That resets most parameters back to the factory defaults, a good place to start. You will have to manually restore any custom settings you had, but it may give you a working computer.

     

    Do you have the grey system install/restore CDs that came with the computer? They are very important for troubleshooting and disk repair/maintenance.