Q: iMac G3 won't boot - starts in Open Firmware

Is this a tray or slot loading iMac?

I'll assume slot.

I forget what booting into open firmware signifies. :-(

It does seem like a reset situation.

Sometimes if volumes don't appear in Startup Manager (what you get when you hold down the Option key at startup), you need to reset the Mac's PRAM, NVRAM, and Open Firmware. Shut down the Mac, then power it up, and before the screen lights up, quickly hold down the Command, Option, P, and R keys, until the Mac has chimed twice more after the powerup chime. Then, before the screen lights up, hold down Command-Option-O-F until the Open Firmware screen appears. Then enter these lines, pressing Return after each one:

reset-nvram

set-defaults

reset-all

"The reset-all command should restart your Mac. If so, you have successfully reset the Open Firmware settings."

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1812?viewlocale=en_US

How to eject a cd from the internal cd drive:

eject cd

List of devices:

devalias

List of variables:

printenv

( nvram is the equivalent Mac OS X terminal command. )

---------------------

Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

---------------------

reset the PMU

http://mrjcd.com/junk/PMU.jpg

--------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------

for slot loaders.

Try holding down the option key then power on. This brings up the startup manager. Click on your cd. Click on right arrow key.

I have ubuntu 6 .6 lts running on my iMac G3 600.  there are some video setting to change.

Robert

when it boots, left to its own devices, it actually says "First Stage GNU/Linux Bootstrap" and gives you options of "l" for loading Linux (doesn't boot as fails to find root device) or "c" to boot from CD.  If you choose "c" it drops into Open Firmware, I assume because it can't boot the CD (don't know why as it should be bootable).

I recommend reformating the harddrive when you get the chance.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Seems like ejecting the cd is more of a problem than it should be.

power off your machine.  hold down your left mouse button.  power on your machine.  This should eject the cd.

Eject cd

Here is a web page on twelve ways to eject the cd.

http://www.osxfaq.com/dailytips/01-2003/01-16.ws

On a PowerPC-based Macintosh (but not an Intel-based Macintosh), you may use Open Firmware to eject a CD or DVD disc when normal methods for ejecting it have not succeeded.

Immediately after the startup sound, press and hold the key combination Command-Option-o-f. Enter commands:

eject cd

mac-boot

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106752

Eject CD/DVD Classic to X

http://boredzo.org/blog/archives/2006-03-17/how-to-eject-a-cd

Mac OS 10.4 Ejecting a CD or DVD when all else fails

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh1750.html

I do not know why eject cd isn't working.  Seem like it should.  However, I wouldn't trust anything that the failed Linux install is doing.  It's corrupted.

-------------

Robert

My info on ejecting the cd may be old... Cut & Paste thing.

There is a little mechanical eject button on the slot machines  iMac G3's At least my cd burner.  I think.  You might be able to see the micro ejector.  Look all the way to the right. of the slot.  There should be an ejector to the right of the plastic phome (sp?)   Use a plastic/wood tooth pick or something to press button.

Ejects just like the old floppy eject button.  No fuss. No excuses.  Eject.

------------------------------

Immediately after the startup sound, press and hold the key combination Command-Option-o-f. Enter commands:

eject cd

mac-boot

try to skip booting into linux and do this direct

-------------------------

consider getting an external fireware dvd drive.  You need this to install a Tiger from a DVD