THX1136
Level 1 (4 points)
iPad

Q: Issue with G4 MDD - on boot getting a "need to restart" message

I am hoping someone might have some insight on this issue. I have a G4 MDD dual boot, 1.25GHz, OS 10.4.11 and 10.5.8 (along with 9.2.2). I recently started the Mac up. It went through grey screen, blue screen and to my desktop. When I tried to open an app I immediately got a "You need to restart your computer" message. Tried restarting a couple of times as this has worked okay in the past. Not this time.

 

I next started in SUM so I could run Applejack. I ran Applejack in "AUTO" mode which does what is described as a "deep clean". All 5 steps went well with some minor repairs with the exception of one of the steps (I don't remember if it was the 3rd or 4th step). During this step it tried to access Disk4X10 - I do not remember the exact id. It took several tries before Applejack was able to do so, but was eventually able to complete the rest of the steps. I assumed the problem drive was an older SCSI drive that I only use for recovery purposes on rare occasions so I was not concerned. I exited AJ and restarted from my 10.4.11 HD. I got the same result with the restart message.

 

I next booted from my Drive Genius disc. I ran a repair on my boot drive and DG said it appeared okay. While I had DG running I decided to clone the boot drive to an external USB HD I have. I assumed since the boot drive icon was 1) showing up on the desktop, 2) I was able to get all the way to my desktop on startup and 3) DG could "see" the drive to run diagnostics - that I could clone the drive. The boot drive is a 75 MB and the cloning process took a little over 2 hours which seemed reasonable. I am also assuming I can reverse clone my boot drive from this clone to a new HD and everything "should" be back to normal. I realize that is assuming the cloning process had zero errors.

 

Since I had an older backup of my boot drive on another HD inside the Mac I tried to boot from it today. I got the same result as when I tried from the main boot drive. I also have 10.5 on 3rd internal drive and am able to boot from that without issue. When I looked at the 10.4 boot drive from that boot most everything is there - all apps and everything in the "Documents" folder -  with the exception of when I look at the folders in myname where all but 3 show nothing in them. I backed up all of my most important stuff - financial stuff, etc. - on two different drives. These were in a folder I had named "Appleworks Documents". I cannot find this anywhere as of yet. I zapped the PRAM today and ran Disc Utilities, both verify and repair - which fixed several issues. I do not loose settings - clock etc. - so I am confident the battery is okay. I do not remember the last time I changed it, but it could be as long ago as 3 or 4 years.

 

My main question is why am I not seemingly able to move past the desktop when booting into 10.4.11? Is it due to the fact it's a "dual boot" machine? (I did do a "rebuild" with DG but it could not finish the job due to issues it found. (I'm assuming the dual boot thing is responsible.) What steps can I take to rectify the issue? Thanks for any help or insight anyone can offer.

G4 MDD, Mac OS X (10.4.11), M-Audio Delta 44, A1038 Display

Posted on Jun 30, 2015 8:47 PM

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THX1136

Q: Issue with G4 MDD - on boot getting a "need to restart" message

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  • by THX1136,

    THX1136 THX1136 Aug 9, 2015 5:34 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    Aug 9, 2015 5:34 PM in response to BDAqua

    I'm back after finishing the project and 2 trips to Mayo for my wife. A friend is going to loan me Disk Warrior so I can see if it will correct things. I still have the corrupted boot drive's icon on the DT. I pulled Firefox from it to my 10.5 drive which I've been using to boot from - no issues. Emboldened, I tried pulling a utility - Clean My Mac - over to the current boot drive. Copied fine, found an update, but on open asks for my registration key/number. Did the same thing with Click Repair - copied over, but asked for registration key.

     

    As of now, I've decided to concentrate on pulling the pertinent saved files from the Data Rescue save that I need. When/if I can get the original boot drive back in service I will. A couple of questions come to mind.

     

    1) Where should I look for the registration key information on the Mac itself? I figure that info is stored much like cookies are stored in a browser. I will look in my saved "hard copy" documentation too, of course.

     

    2) I came across a "gray" disc - Disc version 1.0, 2Z691-5499-A - that is the "Mac OS X Install Disc 2". "Includes Mac OS 9.2" is also printed on the disc. The copyright date is 2005. I assume there is a "disc 2" also - haven't found it yet. Could this be the disc that came with the MDD dual boot that would allow a system restore/repair?

     

    Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

  • by BDAqua,Helpful

    BDAqua BDAqua Aug 10, 2015 10:35 AM in response to THX1136
    Level 10 (123,915 points)
    Aug 10, 2015 10:35 AM in response to THX1136

    Clean My Mac has been the source of more than a few problems.

     

    1. It's undoubtedly hidden well. I think you'll need the original info.

     

    2. Right time frame basically for Disc#2, Disc#1 is machine specific...

    My G4 1.67Ghz PB (pre-Oct 2005) came with a package of 2 DVD's (both in one envelope). The first is as you indicated, except for the last line, which says '2Z691-5517-A'. The second DVD says 'Mac OS X Install Disc 2, Disc Version 1.0' and the number is '2Z691-5499-A'.

    Can't find listing for # on Disc#1.

  • by THX1136,

    THX1136 THX1136 Aug 11, 2015 7:07 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    Aug 11, 2015 7:07 PM in response to BDAqua

    Thanks BD! That helps me out with your verification of the disc being correct. I apologize for the error - I meant that I need to look for "Disc 1" (which I'm sure you figured out). I'll need to go through the discs I have. I have not been the best at having this stuff organized. I originally got the Mac from a friend who bought it from the Apple Store in Des Moines. It was a floor/demo model that they got rid of when the newer line came out that particular year. Mine is a 1.25 GHz.

     

    FYI, I rarely run CMM and it's set to only run manually. The only time I'm aware it's there is when I put in a flash drive. Thanks again for your help on this!

  • by BDAqua,Helpful

    BDAqua BDAqua Aug 12, 2015 9:57 AM in response to THX1136
    Level 10 (123,915 points)
    Aug 12, 2015 9:57 AM in response to THX1136

    OK, thanks for the report, & good luck finding Disk#1.

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