After installation of Leopard my G5 shows only setup assistent- safe boot nor single user start up works?

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After installation of Leopard my G5 shows only setup assistent- safe boot nor single user start up works?

Having had major start up and software problems I decided to do a clean installation of Leopard, did backups and started the installation on my G5! Eventhough the OS X 10.5.1 DVD was tested prior to the installation to be in perfect condition, the installation quick somewhere down the line. After several attempts it finished and a restart was successful - everything seemed fine and I started with the software updates....the requested restart never occurred and after 45 min of watching that little rotating ball with no action taking place inside the G5, a forced shut down stopped the process!

Since then the setup assistent is all that comes up after start!

Trying to start via the installation DVD (C-key during start) or safe boot or single user mode......works!

I got a new OS X 10.5.1 installation DVD from a friend - no change!

Has anyone any idea what I can do to at least get to the single user mode so I can clean out the fault from there????

Any suggestions will be appreciated!

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Apr 4, 2012 12:01 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 4, 2012 3:41 PM in response to tstpilot

Were you using a retail Leopard install DVD (black color)? Have you tried another install?

Installing Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1544

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Installation and Setup Guide

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/leopard_install-setup.pdf

After you install the base 10.5, it's best to download (rather than use Software Update) & install the 10.5.8 combo update at http://support.apple.com/downloads/Mac_OS_X_10_5_8_Combo_Update

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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Answer 2

tstpilot Author

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Apr 5, 2012 1:59 AM in response to Texas Mac Man

Hi Tom,

used 2 different retail version DVDs! I am afraid my optical drive has problems since I can't boot from the DVD anymore.Tried two different HD's (HFS+ Journaled) and clean but no luck! Looks like my G5 now does not know who he is anymore!!😢Won't even react to the original installation discs anymore!

Trying to figure out how to install Leopard on an external drive, to boot from that?!😕

Thanks for your suggestions!

Cheers

Tom

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Answer 3

BDAqua

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Apr 5, 2012 2:23 AM in response to tstpilot

Does holding the Option/alt key at bootup work to choose the Install Disc?

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Answer 4

tstpilot Author

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Apr 5, 2012 2:25 AM in response to BDAqua

NO!

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Answer 5

BDAqua

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Apr 5, 2012 2:34 AM in response to tstpilot

So, did you get the Statup Manager, but only a 3/4 circle & an Arrow?

Does the DVD show up if you disconnect the Hard Drives?

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Answer 6

tstpilot Author

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Apr 5, 2012 3:58 AM in response to BDAqua

If Ihold down the option key during start or try to enter the "single user mode" I end up in the "open firm ware" screen asking for a password which of course I don't have!

Trying to boot from the DVD gives me a "?" and then a small folder symbol with the finder icon on it!

Disconnecting the HD#s I haven't tried yet!

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Answer 7

tstpilot Author

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Apr 5, 2012 4:02 AM in response to BDAqua

..somehow I have the impression that my super drive is shot - I get no spin up of the inserted disc!

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Answer 8

BDAqua

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Apr 5, 2012 4:06 AM in response to tstpilot

Did it have Open Firmware Password setup before?

http://osxdaily.com/2009/10/19/bypass-mac-firmware-password/

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Answer 9

BDAqua

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Apr 5, 2012 4:08 AM in response to tstpilot

It very well could be, but if you have another Mac with Firewire you can use it's Optical drive by putting the other Mac in FireWire target disk mode...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661

Booting the G5 with the Option/alt key.

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Answer 10

tstpilot Author

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Apr 5, 2012 8:42 AM in response to BDAqua

..that was one of the first options I tried...but no such luck! .....somehow all inputs are blocked...😮..this is the consequence of getting rid of the setup assist...by erasing all infos on the hard drive!

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Answer 11

tstpilot Author

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Apr 5, 2012 10:45 AM in response to tstpilot

Thanks folks for all the great inputs!

After removal of one RAM element and the famous pram reset - 3 chimes - my G5 all of asudden accepts the installation DVD and starts to install Leopard - geewizz!

Now let's see...the first DVD is corrupt - 2nd is in progress ... in a couple of hours I should know more!

🙂cheers to all !

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Answer 12

BDAqua

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Apr 5, 2012 10:52 AM in response to tstpilot

Whew...

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Answer 13

tstpilot Author

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Apr 6, 2012 4:30 AM in response to BDAqua

The firmware pw had obviously caused the whole mess !? Makes me wonder why one needs it.....?

Presently loading the combo update 10.5.8 and hoping all goes back to normal after that.

One problem that not even the apple guys had an answer to: After startup my displays were missing several shades of gray - detectable in the monitor solid background colors! After unplugging one display and reconnecting it the problem would be rectified as long as the computer was running. Next restart it would come up again!

First I was affraid the graphic card had given up but found it could only be some software problem....I do hope this is also solved after the reinstallation of Leopard??!!

Cheers

Tom

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