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Level 1

8 points

iMac G3...how to open cd tray?

I use a macbookpro and an old user has given me his old IMac G3..trying to get it up and running for a friend who has not got a computer. I have started it up and it is running OS 9. I want to put Tiger on it as i have the install disk. Unfortunately when i tried to eject the disk it says that:

'The startup disk cannot be removed from the desktop ,because it contains the active system software'.

In the special menu the eject apple E menu choice is also greyed out.

I checked the support site on Apple for old G3's but it suggests there is a eject button..this imac came from 2000 and has no such button.

Also i have seen the option 'Erase disk' in the special menu. I wonder if I erased that then installed my Tiger disk whether that would work and then let me eject the startup disk too.

Posted on Feb 23, 2012 9:35 AM

31 replies

Feb 25, 2012 6:55 AM in response to happyluck1

happyluck1 wrote:

Opened the Apple system profiler.In applications,non apple programs are as follows:

That list is the bundled software installers.

EDIT

I'm curious - those apps are usually spread over 4 CDs - at least some of the games shown should be on seperate CDs.

One thing to try to get that disc out so we can see what it is - hold down the mouse button while shutting down.

happyluck1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 26, 2012 7:07 AM in response to noondaywitch

it looks exactly like the pic you sent but without the center block.

happyluck1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 26, 2012 7:29 AM in response to noondaywitch

Is there anyway i could delete these non apple programs? i've tried dragging them to the trash but it didn't work...and hey should i delete them anyway?

happyluck1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 26, 2012 7:32 AM in response to noondaywitch

Can i check that out by opening the access hatch underneath? can one physically see the hard drive?..Like i said only the two entry's are listed :[

happyluck1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 26, 2012 7:40 AM in response to noondaywitch

Ok i tried to hold the mouse button down while shutting down. First i tried it from the special menu but that way it wouldn't shut down until i released the mouse button and then held it again...didn't do anything.

So then i tried to hold the button on the front of the iMac down while holding the mouse button again it didn't do anything.I thought it might eject after i switched on again..waiting....no that didn't work....tried again when shutting down holding the mouse and the front button,no joy.

happyluck1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 26, 2012 7:42 AM in response to happyluck1

Keyboard haas apple logo on the back and all the usual words..made in china, designed in california etc...

Feb 26, 2012 7:45 AM in response to happyluck1

happyluck1 wrote:

Is there anyway i could delete these non apple programs? i've tried dragging them to the trash but it didn't work...and hey should i delete them anyway?

Thy're on an installer - you can't delete them from a CD. And most of those aren't non-Apple. The ones that are none-Apple are bundled software.

Feb 26, 2012 7:46 AM in response to happyluck1

happyluck1 wrote:

Ok i tried to hold the mouse button down while shutting down. First i tried it from the special menu but that way it wouldn't shut down until i released the mouse button and then held it again...didn't do anything.

So then i tried to hold the button on the front of the iMac down while holding the mouse button again it didn't do anything.I thought it might eject after i switched on again..waiting....no that didn't work....tried again when shutting down holding the mouse and the front button,no joy.

Select shut down, then hold down the mouse button.

Feb 26, 2012 7:48 AM in response to happyluck1

happyluck1 wrote:

Keyboard haas apple logo on the back and all the usual words..made in china, designed in california etc...

Intriguing. I'll try to have look for one like that if I can find some time later.

Feb 26, 2012 7:52 AM in response to happyluck1

happyluck1 wrote:

Can i check that out by opening the access hatch underneath? can one physically see the hard drive?..Like i said only the two entry's are listed :[

The small access hatch only give access to the RAM slots and Airport card slot (if present).

To see the HD you need the top off, and I can't remember where the screws were. No help there from my usual sources I'm afraid.

happyluck1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 26, 2012 8:00 AM in response to noondaywitch

Hey i tried the shutting down thing but didn't work right...so anyway then i started reading the user guide you sent me the link for and i found it said that i had to press the restart button while holding the mouse not the shut down button..so i tried that and after it restarted the disk came out..

so the disk is orangy red in colour and says,'iMac Software Install' and in small letters, To start up from this CD, hold down the C key as the computer starts up' ' For iMac DV models' and there is the Apple logo at the top.

happyluck1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 26, 2012 8:02 AM in response to happyluck1

Now i'm left with a icon of a floppy disk in the center of the screen about 2 by2 cm.

happyluck1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 26, 2012 8:14 AM in response to noondaywitch

if you want to see a pic i can take a photo and email to you 🙂

happyluck1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 26, 2012 8:25 AM in response to noondaywitch

So now as it seems i don't have a HD in there..is the best idea to use an external hard drive throught the USB or Firewire to install Tiger on? I could use the same external HD I use to back up my MBP right? It's like 1.5 TB or something.... i done that when i used to use the old other computers and then it wouldn't work on my powerbook. Those computers i don't really understand anymore....I sure it'll be ok..i use my external HD for my PB and my MBP so yeah.....

And i have an old airport card i never used for the powerbook i had, so if there is not one in this IMac maybe i could install that and then can use the iMac off wifi? which would be totally cool.Get Tiger on there first eh.

Ps thanks for all your help noondaywitch...if i am ever up preston way i would offer to buy you a drink or whatever.

You have really helped me out,so a big thank you.

Feb 26, 2012 8:25 AM in response to happyluck1

happyluck1 wrote:

Now i'm left with a icon of a floppy disk in the center of the screen about 2 by2 cm.

With a '?' in it?

iMac G3...how to open cd tray?