iMac G3 333 Screen Black

Does the computer react at all (sounds, display, power button light)?

You may want to check the logic board battery (3.6 V) to begin with. A bad battery can sometimes cause unexpected behaviour.

http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/0/MA492/en_US/iMacG3_originalInstallGuide. PDF

Unfortunately, some of the early iMac computers had other issues (for example, with the flyback transformer) preventing proper startup/video. Often, the power button would show a green light when the problem occured. The computer could start up normally from time to time (when the power cable had been disconnected for a while). A warning: The analogue section contains high-voltage circuits. All work in this area can be very dangerous and must only be carried out by someone with the necessary expertise.

Jan

Don't expect much practical work from this computer. It's a hobbyist project.

My first thought from your first post would be a video problem. I'm still leaning that way, but after reading the second post, there is hope it could be a bad filesystem or bad hd.

If it's something to do with the hd, this should work.

Open Firmware, boot into Open Firmware. { good for finger stretching. 😝 }

Power on your iMac while holding down command+option+o+f

The first output line contains the firmware level.

You need to find a cd that you can boot off of.

Restore cd might, might be available from Apple by calling 1(800) 275-2273. Have your serial number ready. Have your credit card ready too. There may be a small fee.

You could try Linux. Post back if you are interested in Linux hints.

Robert

I tried booting off an OS 9 CD, and still nothing works.

Did you try this?

Open Firmware, boot into Open Firmware. { good for finger stretching. 😝 }

Power on your iMac while holding down command+option+o+f

The first output line contains the firmware level.

Fix is the wrong word. It would be an experiment.

Robert

Page 8 of the iMac G3 installation guide (link above) shows a DB-15 cable. An external display is not supported. However, for troubleshooting and as an experiment, (with access to a Mac-to-VGA adapter) a knowledgeable person may possibly want to check whether the connection could be used to show anything on a separate monitor instead.

Jan