Powermac G4 only shows desktop background

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Powermac G4 only shows desktop background

I recently acquired an old powermac G4. It was working and could connect to the internet for the person I got it from. Then when I came home and plugged it in, I heard the chime, the screen came on, and it got stuck at the background. I don't see the finder menu bar, I don't see any icons - just the swirly blue background. I have no idea how to make the icons show up. It seems like it's working, because it goes to sleep by itself and clicking the mouse wakes it back up. I just can't see any icons or programs!

Help!

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), G4 733 mhz

Posted on Apr 17, 2013 12:57 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 17, 2013 3:24 PM in response to rangerchan

Try resetting the PRAM

Shut down your Mac.
Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command (⌘), Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
Turn on the computer.
Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys before the gray screen appears.
Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
Release the keys.

If that works, I would suspect you need to replace the PRAM battery.

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Answer 2

rangerchan Author

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Apr 17, 2013 6:50 PM in response to Eustace Mendis

Thanks for responding!

I have reset the PRAM and it still does the same thing - desktop background with no icons.

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Answer 3

Apr 17, 2013 10:49 PM in response to rangerchan

If you can boot from an install CD or DVD, try doing an Archive and Install of the OS, reboot and Repair Permissions with Apple's Disk Utility then run the Tiger 10.4.11 Combo Updater over the new install (or the 10.6.8 Combo Update if you install Leopard) and Repair Permissions once again.

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