Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

0 points

iMac doesn't start

I know that there are probably a million posts about this, however, mine didn't relate to any of them except for in the fact that the computer doesn't turn on.

I have recently acquired a Slot-loading bondi-blue 350 MHz iMac. This beautiful machine had a little problem when I got it, the power button was pressed in. I have no idea how long it had been stuck like that.

I disassembled the bottom and fixed the power button. When I went back to turn the machine on, nothing. The light doesn't come on, the screen doesn't flicker, speakers don't crackle, the only sound of life, is the sound that older CRT TVs make when you turn them on, but it's a bit quieter. I guess some people call that sound "electronics expanding."

To avoid the obvious, I have dont the PMU reset, I have removed and replaced all the RAM, I have removed and replaced the AirPort Card. It isn't the hard drive because I hooked that up to my MacBook Pro via an external case and it worked fine. I haven't tried the battery change because I have only had it a day and I do not know where to get those batteries (and if that will fix my problem).

Do any of you have any ideas as to how to fix this issue?

iMac, Mac OS 9.2.x, G3 350Mhz 192MB Ram CD Slot-loading

Posted on Jun 3, 2011 6:22 AM

22 replies

Jun 6, 2011 6:12 PM in response to babilinski

Sorry about the bad news i had to break to you😟 Well aleast you will have spare parts🙂 i had the same thing with my iMac G3's now i am down to my only imac g3 a 500mhz indigo. that was my first imac ever. that even had a bad PAV board (flyback Transformer on PAV board) in 2005. but being that was my first imac ever i had it repaired for $259. the 2 other imac's are still under my desk in a box😟 they will probably never get fixed😟 at least imac G3's look cool on a desk even when they are off/or broken🙂 Please tell us if you need any help setting up the g4 imac if you get it. or if you can not get the g4 we can help you with any apple new or old🙂 good look😉 Please keep us posted🙂

babilinski wrote:

Well, I guess that settles it. The computer is dead because of the PAV board. It is a pity. However, I did find a deal nearby that is offering a G4 700MHz iMac without a hard drive, keyboard, mouse or AirPort... and I just so happen to have those parts... additionally... it's only $40.

transformer

babilinski Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 6, 2011 8:42 PM in response to Mac Man JW

Well... got the G4 today. It is having issues booting from the OS 9 disk that I have... however, it did boot the 10.4 CD that I own. I am very surprised to say, that the internal disk just seems to have an error. I have now tried to rebuild the catalog B-tree a couple of times but it seems to be stuck there. I read in another forum that I can just reformat and install, however, this computer (with 128mb of ram) probably isn't going to handle Tiger very well. So I will just have to wait until I have the rest of the parts (ram) here before I go to Tiger. Unless I can finally find my Panther CDs.

Jun 7, 2011 11:04 AM in response to babilinski

OS 9 may only work with the install discs that came with the imac g4 some emac os 9 install discs may work as well🙂. if you put in Panther or Tiger you can use OS 9 in Classic Mode😉 try to reformat your Hard Drive(That Should Fix Your Problem) and do a clean install of os x or retry to install os 9 with the hard drive eraced and cleaned if you want🙂 Tirger will run good with 512MB-To-1GB Ram or even 384MB Ram will be ok for little use🙂 Please keep us posted😉

babilinski wrote:

Well... got the G4 today. It is having issues booting from the OS 9 disk that I have... however, it did boot the 10.4 CD that I own. I am very surprised to say, that the internal disk just seems to have an error. I have now tried to rebuild the catalog B-tree a couple of times but it seems to be stuck there. I read in another forum that I can just reformat and install, however, this computer (with 128mb of ram) probably isn't going to handle Tiger very well. So I will just have to wait until I have the rest of the parts (ram) here before I go to Tiger. Unless I can finally find my Panther CDs.

babilinski Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 7, 2011 7:32 PM in response to Mac Man JW

Turns out that the computer has 640mb ram.

The drive failed completely yesterday. The SMART status told me that it was failing, so, I was ready for that. As for Panther and Tiger with Classic mode, how would I go about installing it if it requires an existing System Folder or classic mode to run in order to even start the installation?

This is where I am stuck:

Jun 8, 2011 9:03 AM in response to babilinski

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh763.html

http://www.apple.com/support/tiger/classic/

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1585?viewlocale=en_US

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10331436-263.html

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=48608

These may help🙂 if you can boot os 9 but want os x you can partition your hard disk for os 9 and os x.

Turns out that the computer has 640mb ram.

The drive failed completely yesterday. The SMART status told me that it was failing, so, I was ready for that. As for Panther and Tiger with Classic mode, how would I go about installing it if it requires an existing System Folder or classic mode to run in order to even start the installation?

This is where I am stuck:

babilinski Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 22, 2011 9:35 AM in response to Mac Man JW

I got it all up and running I upgraded the internal ram and everything. I got a new hard drive for it (60Gb).

Now that it is all done, I think I am going to sell it since I can make a potential $90 profit.

Thank you SO much for your help with both of these computers.

Jun 22, 2011 10:04 AM in response to babilinski

Your Welcome🙂 Glad it all worked out😉

iMac doesn't start