Hi My iMac has a floppy disk with a question mark. it worked before I was stupid and tried rebooting it from the OS 9 file. It was running on OSX v10.4. but i wanted to see what would happen. I would like to know how to change its bootup folder WITHOUT loging in,because i cant get passed the boot screen
iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.10), G3 PPC
Try starting the computer while holding the OPTION key. Keep holding until you see images of disk icons. Use teh arrow keys to select your OSX volume, then hit RETURN. On PowerPC Macs, this may take a while--give it time.
Thanx ill try it.
No sorry it just shows the HDD. I want to change the boot folder or place.
Message was edited by: THINK DIFFERENT. -STEVE JOBS
I would like to change the boot folder.
Okay, I forgot that the Startup Manager procedure only shows both OS version if they are installed in separate partitions.
Try this: Start in "Safe Mode" by holding SHIFT during startup. This disables extensions but should leave you being able to get to teh Startup disk control panel, NOTE: A safe mode boot takes longer because the system does some checks and clean-up during Safe Boot.
It could be that your internal Backup battery ("Pram" battery) is dead. That could make the computer "forget" where its startup volume resides. You can overcome this by either starting from a System disk (will give you access to one of the startup control panle option, which is on every Apple system disk.).
You can also try "zapping the PRAM" by restarting and then immediately pressing and holding these four keys:
command
option
p
r
Continue holding until you hear a total of THREE startup chimes, then let go the keys and let normal booting continue. This probably requires an Apple keyboard; a third-party USB board may not hav the proper key assignments until after the system loads.
As we are getting into more complicated procedures, it would be a VERY good idea to tell us whether this iMac has a tray-loading optical drive or a slot-loading drive. Also please post your processor speed.
PRAM batteries are cheap if you get them online:
3.6v Newer Technology Lithium 1/2 AA PRAM Computer Clock Battery
That one works with all but the very first tray-loading iMacs, and you can access through the RAM door on the bottom of the computer. You may need a non-conductive pair of forceps to reach it.
It's a DVD Slot-Reader, PPC 400MHz. But remember, I tried to reboot OFF of the OS 9 Folder. I was already using Mac OS X 10.4.10. I think The OS 9 Folder was empty becuase its booting up EVERY SINGLE TIME with a Floppy Drive and a Question Mark ever since I tried Booting off of the Older OS folder. Also, can I boot off of my USB to install mac os x 10.4.11?
Why Dont u upgrade to Mac OS X 10.8.X?
Why Dont u upgrade to Mac OS X 10.8.X?
I needed to stay at 10.6.8 on my "money-maker" Mac for compatibility reasons. I have 10.8.4 on my MacBook Pro. The compatibility reasons have recently resolved, so I will probably install 10.8 soon.
Also, can I boot off of my USB to install mac os x 10.4.11?
Although a handful of PPC Macs can boot from USB, most cannot. However, becasue the 400 mHz models have FireWire ports, you can boot from a Firewire optical drive or external hard drive.yo cna boot from a FireWire drive with your model.
iMac G3 Has A Floppy Disk With Question Mark?
