OSX shutting down..computer stays on but OSX asks for restart

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OSX shutting down..computer stays on but OSX asks for restart

Just started this recwently

6 years old 1.8 gig PPC. it starts but I suddenly lose sync to the monitor...it goes black...I've gotten a message once that OSX needs a restart...power is on but it just goes dead.I end up restarting and sometimes it works for hours, once it would not start at all for 1 start up..very strange.

I wonder if I can reinstall OSX without losing my stuff? my dvd does not work so i cannot burn dvd's...hasn't in years so I cannot back up...unless i get a usb drive.

Thanks...any suggestions ( other than a new MAC ..cannot afford it right now)

OSX 10.4.11, 1.8 G5

not good...

G5 1.8, Mac OS X (10.3.9), 1.5 gig RAM

Posted on Dec 20, 2012 1:57 PM

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Answer 1

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John Galt

Level 10

141,024 points

Dec 20, 2012 2:19 PM in response to smilinpig

Unless you elect "erase and install", reinstalling OS X does not erase your data.

You will have a challenge without a working optical drive, but if its read capability is operational that's all you need to reinstall OS X.

This may not fix your problem.

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Answer 2

Dec 20, 2012 5:32 PM in response to smilinpig

Is the restart message you are getting in multiple languages? If so, you are having a kernel panic, usually caused by hardware.

You can't reinstall the OS X system without a disc drive.

If you get an external hard drive for backup, get an Firewire connected one. A Firewire connected external HD will be bootable, whereas a USB HD will not.

Do you currently have another internal HD that you use for backup?

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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Answer 3

smilinpig Author

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Dec 30, 2012 7:21 PM in response to Texas Mac Man

Thanks for the responses

No additional HD but I could take the backup from one of my other macs ( G3) and reformat that...haven't used the other Mac in a while.

It is not in multiple languages..however it did come up in a black screen with white text,,in nearly 30 years of mac use I've never seen that before. I keep wodering if its a battery or PRAM thing because I don't use it that much anynmore...I used to live on it but my back is too messed up to sit at it for long.

thanks...I'm going to try resetting PRAM and maybe a battery change.

I do get problems w/ my network too..it says 'The application settings have been changed by another program..." when I try to use it...I have to click to unlock, then it gets stuck in the spinning beachball, so I force quit and re open it at which time...it works.

Between the drive being hit or miss..the OS...and other things, I wish I had the $$$ for a new one

thank you for the help

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Answer 4

John Galt

Level 10

141,024 points

Dec 30, 2012 7:40 PM in response to smilinpig

smilinpig wrote:

I do get problems w/ my network too..it says 'The application settings have been changed by another program..." when I try to use it...I have to click to unlock, then it gets stuck in the spinning beachball, so I force quit and re open it at which time...it works.

I remember that hideous mess.

Simple fix: System Preferences > Security. Check the box for "Require password to unlock each secure system preference".

I believe that wording is correct, but it is at least approximate. I am not at my Tiger machine at the moment.

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Answer 5

smilinpig Author

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Jan 8, 2013 5:13 PM in response to Texas Mac Man

Hi

still in panic here...I took the mac apart, I was going to put a spare drive in but the adapters are all different. Argh.

Yes it is in multi languages...sometimes i get time other times.. It panics in seconds...seems to haver to do w/ my network. i can run the g5 in finder it seems but starting safari or mozilla causes restart mode

I have an external dvd firewire...can that be used to install osx??

I also read its possible to reinstall the combo update from the web?

thanks I'm graetful..excuse misspells..trying to get done b4 it quit again!

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Answer 6

smilinpig Author

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Jan 8, 2013 5:14 PM in response to John Galt

thanx john....will try

appreciate the responses

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