Bob Nary

Q: G3 has 2 systems folders, which is safe to delete?

The drive on this G3 has 4 partitions and the system folder appears on both1 and 2. Which is best /safest to delete? Or, conversely, how can I determine which one has the start up disc it accesses when started, and is it OK to simply trash the other? Thanks & Happy New Year!

Mac OS 9.2.x, G3 biege tower

Posted on Dec 31, 2015 12:51 PM

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Q: G3 has 2 systems folders, which is safe to delete?

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  • by Kappy,Solvedanswer

    Kappy Kappy Jan 2, 2016 8:27 AM in response to Bob Nary
    Level 10 (270,283 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 2, 2016 8:27 AM in response to Bob Nary

    If they both are the same then it doesn't matter. Otherwise, delete the one you don't use. The startup disk is selected in Startup Disk preferences. You may also want to keep it as a spare.

  • by Jeff,

    Jeff Jeff Jan 2, 2016 8:28 AM in response to Bob Nary
    Level 6 (11,559 points)
    Jan 2, 2016 8:28 AM in response to Bob Nary

    I'm assuming that you've just acquired the computer, if you aren't the one who partitioned the drive.  It's possible that a different OS version is installed on each partition, to enable booting from either.  This might be desirable, if certain older software isn't compatible with the newer installed OS.  With HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) formatting of the partitions on the hard drive, a beige G3 can boot from these pre-OS X versions: 8.1, 8.5. 8.5.1, 8.6, 9, 9.0.4, 9.1, 9.2.1, and 9.2.2.  I think I kept OS 8.6 on a different partition on a couple of my beige G3s, in addition to OS 9.2.2 as the primary boot volume.  Otherwise, the previous owner might have cloned the OS build on the first partition, copying it to the second partition.  This enables booting from an alternate volume, when routine disk maintenance is needed on the other.  Using the Startup Disk control panel, select the other partition and then restart the computer.  Are the same programs installed as on the other partition?  If it's identical in every detail and you'd prefer to reclaim the disk space, you could delete everything on it.

  • by Bob Nary,

    Bob Nary Bob Nary Jan 2, 2016 8:40 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jan 2, 2016 8:40 AM in response to Kappy

    Thanks, this, and the other replier really helped. I've got that squared away and all seems fine except I cannot get sound out of the built in speaker or at the headphone jack. In the Sound section of control panel, I cannot select the "built in" check box under Sound Output and part of this checkbox extends below the gray boundry line of the Sound Outbox. I suspect this is the problem. Also, on the pull tab on the desktop, when I select the speaker icon and raise the volume control, it will not stay above it's bottom most position & hence is muted. I've reset PRAM several times, & performed disk first aid to all dirves (switching between startup disc to do so). And ideas for a fix? Thanks so much.

  • by Jeff,

    Jeff Jeff Jan 2, 2016 9:08 AM in response to Bob Nary
    Level 6 (11,559 points)
    Jan 2, 2016 9:08 AM in response to Bob Nary

    Check and determine if the audio card is fully-seated in the "personality" card slot.  It has a mounting flange that's secured with (2) machine screws at the rear fence and a single machine screw on the rear of the computer, at the bottom of the card.  If the G3 sat in a non-climate-controlled area for some time, it's possible that there could be oxidization along the gold-plated pins on the card.  Remove it and gently scrub them (both sides) with a soft white eraser.  Be sure to blow off any residual rubber shavings from the pins, before reinstalling the card.  Press down on it firmly, so that it's fully-seated in the slot.  I've often found that the third machine screw (rear of the computer) will not insert into the tapped hole in the card, after doing this.  If so, just leave it off.  You don't want to lift the card upward, just to install that screw.  The (2) screws on the card's mounting flange are more than adequate to hold it in place.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jan 2, 2016 11:02 AM in response to Bob Nary
    Level 10 (123,501 points)
    Jan 2, 2016 11:02 AM in response to Bob Nary

    Long shot, but...

     

    Open Audio Midi Setup in Applications>Utilities, see the input & output options & KHz setting there, some things will change it for their own use, then not set it back.

  • by Bob Nary,

    Bob Nary Bob Nary Jan 2, 2016 11:19 AM in response to Jeff
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jan 2, 2016 11:19 AM in response to Jeff

    BINGO!  That was the issue. Thanks much!

  • by Bob Nary,

    Bob Nary Bob Nary Jan 2, 2016 11:21 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jan 2, 2016 11:21 AM in response to BDAqua

    Thanks - Jeff had the cure - poor connection of board to it's socket.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jan 2, 2016 1:30 PM in response to Bob Nary
    Level 10 (123,501 points)
    Jan 2, 2016 1:30 PM in response to Bob Nary

    Thanks, good work Jeff!