Foxy754

Q: When iMac G4 Boots up everything loads then I get a blue screen

I recently purchased an iMac G4 in really good condition off of craigslist. It is a 15" 700 MHz early 2002 model. When it turns on I get the loading screen and the progress bar goes all the way through like normal. However, once it finishes then it goes to the desktop which is just a blue screen. It has no bar on the top and no application list on the bottom. This is not the blue screen of death. The mouse still moves. I borrowed an OS X 10.4 install disc from a friend and the only way I can get it to open to put the disc in is to click and hold the mouse when I boot it up. The disc never regesters when I put it in. If anyone can help that would be awesome!

 

Thanks!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 15" 700 MHz 512 MBs RAM 40GB HDD.

Posted on Aug 18, 2015 8:23 AM

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Q: When iMac G4 Boots up everything loads then I get a blue screen

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  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 18, 2015 12:03 PM in response to Foxy754
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 18, 2015 12:03 PM in response to Foxy754

    Try a safe boot.

         Shutdown your machine.  Hold down the shift key.  Poweron.  Wait awhile; wait awhile while you harddrive

         is being checked.

         http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1455

     

    Grey disc are model specific.  A mac will not boot from the wrong disc.

     

    The disc never regesters when I put it in. If anyone can help that would be awesome!

     

    What are you expecting to happen?  What happens when you hold down the option key then power on?


    Your probably right.  You need to reinstall after reformating the hd.



    "You have to call Apple & likely ask for a Product Specialist to get it (Leopard), if they still have it... helps if you tell them you have a new iPhone (iPad) that needs it!"

    BDAqua

     

    Restore Tiger 10.4 & Leopard 10.5  DVDs are 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.

    Another number to try is 800-767-2775.

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4720126?tstart=0  -- January 20,2013

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/24588313#24588313 -- January 22,2014

     

    What are the part numbers for these disc?

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2191

  • by Foxy754,

    Foxy754 Foxy754 Aug 18, 2015 1:50 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 18, 2015 1:50 PM in response to rccharles

    I held down shift and then turned it on and got a grey screen that had the Macintosh smiling on it. Then it went into the loading menu for a while and then booted into the normal blue screen that I get. I don't know if this helps but it has been taking a while when it says Initializing Network. (See attached pictures). I then went ahead and turned it off and clicked to get it to open the disc drive. I put the disc in and it closed it and then it continued to boot into the blue screen and is now just sitting there with the blue screen. IMG_6968.jpg

  • by Foxy754,

    Foxy754 Foxy754 Aug 18, 2015 1:52 PM in response to Foxy754
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 18, 2015 1:52 PM in response to Foxy754

    IMG_6975.jpg

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 18, 2015 4:23 PM in response to Foxy754
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 18, 2015 4:23 PM in response to Foxy754

    I do not know what to think.  You need to try a clean install.  What is the color of the cd?

     

    Could try a linux distribution.  Not sure what one is best for a ppc.  Debian?

     

    Robert

  • by Foxy754,

    Foxy754 Foxy754 Aug 18, 2015 4:55 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 18, 2015 4:55 PM in response to rccharles

    It isn't registering anything I put in there or do. I have tried Fsck. I have no idea how to force it to read the discs. All it gives me are those loading screens. I have only tried the disc 1 on the bottom. I don't think the top one will work. My schools Tech Department lent these to me because they had them sitting around.IMG_6978.JPG

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 18, 2015 6:56 PM in response to Foxy754
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 18, 2015 6:56 PM in response to Foxy754

    These are the machine specific disc.  Apparently, they are not for your machine.  I'm not an expert on what discs went with what machine.

     

    The black disc are the general use discs.  You will be able to install any version of Tiger on the machine 10.4.

     

    iMac g4 700mhz; source mactracker data base.

     

    Screen Shot 2015-08-18 at 9.50.13 PM.png

     

    find exact specs on your mac.

    This site provides more information.  Best for older machines.  Note, serial number is sent in the clear.

    "A serial number is a unique, identifying number or group of numbers and letters assigned to an individual piece of hardware or software. It's used for various things depending on the product / brand but what is your Mac's serial number for and more importantly... what is it hiding and what can it do for you ?"

    http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php

     

    or

    This site provides more information, but lacks security too.

    "A serial number is a unique, identifying number or group of numbers and letters assigned to an individual piece of hardware or software. It's used for various things depending on the product / brand but what is your Mac's serial number for and more importantly... what is it hiding and what can it do for you ?"

    http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php

    http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

        ( hint by K Shaffer  )

  • by Foxy754,

    Foxy754 Foxy754 Aug 18, 2015 7:02 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 18, 2015 7:02 PM in response to rccharles

    Okay. I am slightly confused. I am more used to dealing with Intel Macs. What do I do from here? Should I call Apple and get a new disc? (If so how much will this cost?)

     

    I am a big fan of Mac Tracker and I know it only goes up to 10.4.11. These discs are for 10.4.8. I'm assuming from what you said they are not compatible. When I get the right disc will it automatically open?

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 19, 2015 9:39 AM in response to Foxy754
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 19, 2015 9:39 AM in response to Foxy754

    You could see if the machine works in single user mode.  If so, you could try creating a new user.

     

    Get the Mac to set up  an additional administrative account.

      

    Start with your computer power off.  Hold down command-s. Power on your computer.   

      

    Type in the following: 

      

    The first two commands will depend on your release of Mac OS X.  Look at what is typed out in the console to determine the exact format. 

    # Type the follow two instructions to access the startup disk in read/write. Press return after each command. 

    # in case of partial success repeat this command until errors go away.

    /sbin/fsck -fy 

    /sbin/mount -uw / 

      

    cd /var/db 

    pwd 

    #List all files. The l is a lower case L. 

    ls -a 

    #The move command acts as a rename command in this format. 

    mv -i  .applesetupdone .applesetupdone.old 

      

    # reboot  your mac

    shutdown -r now

      

    Once you've done that the computer reboots and it's like the first time you used the machine. Your old accounts are all safe. From there you just change all other account passwords in the account preferences!! 

    Limnos adds detailed explainations: 

    http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8441597#8441597 

      

    The above the idea came from a post by JoseAranda at September 9, 2006 3:48 AM 

    http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_do_i_reset_my_mac_os_x_admin_root_password.html 

    You will need to scroll down to see this post.  Search for applesetupdone 

     

    This method is mentioned in an apple support page without giving an explanation.

  • by Foxy754,

    Foxy754 Foxy754 Aug 19, 2015 6:45 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 19, 2015 6:45 PM in response to rccharles

    Okay. Thanks. I'm still just a little confused. I'm not sure what I type and what I don't. What I wait and let finish and what I just keep typing for. Sorry.

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 19, 2015 8:08 PM in response to Foxy754
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 19, 2015 8:08 PM in response to Foxy754

    # lines that begin with the pound sign are comments.

    # You do not need to type the comments lines.  They are for your information.

    # I'll bold what you need to type.

     

     

     

    # The first two commands will depend on your release of Mac OS X.  Look at what is typed

    #  out in the console to determine the exact format.

    # Type the follow two instructions to access the startup disk in read/write.

    # Press return after each command.

    #

    # If you disk is really messed up this line could fail.

    # In case of failure, repeat this command until errors go away.

    /sbin/fsck -fy

    /sbin/mount -uw / 

     

    # change directory

    cd /var/db

    # print working directory

    pwd 

    #List all files. The l is a lower case L.

    ls -a

    # I like this forum.

    ls -la

    #The move command acts as a rename command in this format.

    # this command does the magic.  When X doesn't see the file, X will re-initialize the mac.

    # it's ok.  It will not let you do any harm.

    mv -i  .applesetupdone .applesetupdone.old 

     

    # reboot  your mac

    shutdown -r now

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 19, 2015 8:11 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 19, 2015 8:11 PM in response to rccharles

    Some back ground information.

     

    Here is an overview of the commands.

     

    #What is my short user name?  Type the whoami command.
    mac $ whoami
    mac
    mac $
    #How to list all of your disks.
    # The ls command is for list
    mac $ ls /Volumes/
    Audio CD       Macintosh-HD   Spotless       Tiger-ext
    mac $
     
    # Let's say your flash drive is named Spotless

     

    # cd is change directory
    mac $ cd /Volumes/Spotless
    # pwd is Print Working Directory. A directory is the Unix name for a folder.  You are always in a directory.
    mac $ pwd
    /Volumes/Spotless
    mac $
     
    # The ls command is for list
    # l is long
    # F is type of file where / is directory.  For directories, the slash is pasted to the end of the name. 
    mac $ ls -lF
    total 134704
    -rw-r--r--     1 mac  staff     64560 Mar  3  2009 A-picture-of-Youpi-key.png
    drwxr-xr-x    83 mac  staff      2822 Nov  7 14:52 Applescript files/
    drwxrwxrwx    12 mac  staff       408 Dec 13  2008 Christmas Cards/
    drwxr-xr-x     9 mac  staff       306 Dec 21 17:39 Christmas Cards 2009/
    ... trimmed ...
    What does all this mean?

    drwxrwxrwx

    d = directory
    r = read
    w = write
    x = executeable program

    drwxrwxrwx
    || &nbsp|&nbsp |
    ||  |   all other users not in first two types
    ||  | 
    ||  group
    ||
    |owner

    What type of entry is this? d = directory, - = file, etc. 

     

    Every Unix resource: files, folders, etc has an owner, group, other 
    A Unix resource has one owner.
    A Unix resource has one group.  A group contains a list of users.

     

    To gain access to a file, you can be the owner, in the group, or not the owner and not in the group hence you end up as other. The owner, group, or other  has read, write, or execute permissions.

     


    # l is long
    # a is all to show hidden files & folders
    mac $ ls -lFa
    total 134736
    drwxr-xr-x    41 mac   staff      1496 Dec 22 17:11 .
    drwxrwxrwt     8 root  admin       272 Dec 24 13:55 ..
    -rwxrwxrwx     1 mac   staff     15364 Dec 23 12:52 .DS_Store*
    drwx------     4 mac   staff       136 Jan 22  2009 .Spotlight-V100
    drwxrwxrwt     5 mac   staff       170 Sep 14 16:36 .TemporaryItems
    d-wx-wx-wx     4 mac   staff       136 Dec 31  1969 .Trashes
    -rw-r--r--     1 mac  staff     64560 Mar  3  2009 A-picture-of-Youpi-key.png
    drwxr-xr-x    83 mac   staff      2822 Nov  7 14:52 Applescript files
    drwxrwxrwx    12 mac   staff       408 Dec 13  2008 Christmas Cards
    drwxr-xr-x     9 mac   staff       306 Dec 21 17:39 Christmas Cards 2009

    ... trimmed ...
    # mv is move or rename
    mv -i the-name the-new-name

     

     

     

    # You can just rename the file back to what it was with mv command.
    mv -i old-name new-name

     

    Here is what these commands mean:
    cd is change directory
    pwd is a print working directory
    ls is list
    sudo is Super user do
    mv is move or rename

     

    For cryptic comments, you can always uses the manual command which is man. For example:
    man mv

     

    # Type the letter q to quit.
    In case you have spaces in your filenames or directories, you need to escape them. See examples:

    mac $ ls -l ~/"see it"
    -rw-r--r-- 1 mac staff 3171 Oct 26 23:38 /Users/mac/see it
    mac $
    mac $ cd /Users/mac/Desktop/ttt\ html\ copy/

     

    Do you know about tabbing? Type in a few letters of a name then press the tab key. The computer will type out the rest of the name if it is unique.

     

    Press the up arrow key to see the previous command(s).

     

    To edit a command, use the left arrow key to more left and the right arrow key to move right.  Use the delete key to delete the key to the left.  Type a letter to insert.

     

    history to see many previous commands.

     

    mac $ history

        1  pwd

        2  man ls

        3  history

    You may copy then paste from this list.

     

    ----------------------

     

    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2692161&tstart=0 

     

    Robert

  • by Foxy754,

    Foxy754 Foxy754 Aug 19, 2015 8:31 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 19, 2015 8:31 PM in response to rccharles

    I did the process without the OS Install discs in. Will I need them in? I still have this... IMG_6985.JPGIMG_6984.JPGIMG_6983.JPG

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 20, 2015 10:44 AM in response to Foxy754
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 20, 2015 10:44 AM in response to Foxy754

    The positive news is the the hardware is working.  Could still be some obscure hardware glitch, but the probability is small.

     

    Oh ! Someone already tried to create a new id.    .

     

    You need to repeat the entire procedure with the corrections below. 

     

    Screen Shot 2015-08-20 at 1.34.21 PM.png

    Notice:

    overwrite .applesetupdone.old?

     

    You pressed return, but you needed to type y for yes then return.  You should do:

    ls -l

    to verify that the file disappeared.

     

    corrections for you instance -- example:

    localhost# mv .applesetupdone .applesetupdone.old

    overwrite .applesetupdone.old? y

    localhost# ls -l

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 20, 2015 10:51 AM in response to rccharles
    Level 6 (8,459 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 20, 2015 10:51 AM in response to rccharles

    You should look around for a black Tiger DVD.

     

    Your machine will take any version of 10.3 ( if iMac g4 700 ) but 10.4 is much better.

     

    You can run 10.5 with some Hocus Pocus during the installation.  Will need to max out memory.

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