surlybird
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Q: Dual Boot eMac software repair question

How do I repair the startup disk in OS 9 on an eMac running both OS 9 and OS X- Tiger?

e mac, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Nov 30, 2012 6:54 PM

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surlybird

Q: Dual Boot eMac software repair question

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  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 30, 2012 10:33 PM in response to surlybird
    Level 10 (123,920 points)
    Nov 30, 2012 10:33 PM in response to surlybird

    Does it boot to either OS?

     

    Are both on one Partition, or seperate?

     

    Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup).

     

    (Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)

  • by surlybird,

    surlybird surlybird Dec 1, 2012 11:23 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 1, 2012 11:23 AM in response to BDAqua

    Thank you so much for responding to my question. I'll try to answer yours, and define the problem in more detail. (We're at our wit's end with this!)

     

    It will boot to either/both OS, but often takes quite a while to find the start up disk, esp, in OS 9.

     

    Both OS are on the same partition... the installation was made with a "Tiger" DVD. (We do not use "classic mode," we always reboot between operating systems.)

     

    My husband uses OS 9 to work in certain older programs. He's having problems with start up, and occasional freezes.

     

    Recently we ran the disk utilities in both systems, and saw that both HDs needed repair.

     

    The computer recognizes the installation DVD, and I was able to use it to repair the OS 10 startup disk. I can open and check the start up disk in 9, but cannot figure out how to dismount it and ask disk first aid to repair it.

     

    I've never tried booting up in safe mode... I didn't realize that was a repair option. You say "let it go." How long before we give up?

     

    Is there any way to access the OS 9 disk first aid utility using the installation DVD?

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Dec 1, 2012 9:39 PM in response to surlybird
    Level 10 (123,920 points)
    Dec 1, 2012 9:39 PM in response to surlybird

    How long before we give up?

    Depends on Mac, but  few minutes, maybe 15 on a slow one, it SHOULD repair OS9 also.

     

    Might be time to replace the PRAM Battery, 4 years is close to their lifespan, far less if ever without AC power, & can cause strange startup problems...

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BAA36VPRAM/ 

  • by surlybird,

    surlybird surlybird Dec 2, 2012 11:15 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 2, 2012 11:15 AM in response to BDAqua

    Thank you.

     

    Several years ago we replaced the original drive with a much larger one, upgraded the memory and replaced the battery. We've had no problems with the computer since then until very recently. (Not sure what you mean about "without AC power".)

     

    Don't know how to replace the battery, but I guess we can learn.

     

    I'll try the safe boot first. (As soon as I can get my husband away from the computer.)

     

    I'll let you know how it goes... I truly appreciate your help, the people I spoke to at Apple told me that since the eMac (and Tiger) are "obsolete," no one on their help staff knows how they work anymore. Frustrating!