grey screen with smiley face at startup

Question

Level 4

1,115 points

grey screen with smiley face at startup

Hi all.
On my son's g3 imac running 9.2 (or maybe 9.?), after trhe startup chimes the screen freezes with a grey screen and a computer icon with a smiley face.
What does this mean?
Any ideas on what I can do?

Thanks for any help,

Dave

Dual 2Gig G5 PowerMac, iMac G4 1.25GHz, iBook G4 1.25GHz, FCP HD, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Mar 25, 2007 1:09 PM

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Answer 1

rccharles

Level 6

13,037 points

Mar 25, 2007 8:23 PM in response to Da Nam

Well, the smiling face means that the Mac OS operating system was found on the disk. The boot process didn't get too far because soon after you should get the 9.2 logo.

You might try holding down the shift key after you power on. This will prevent the extensions from being loaded. Perhaps one is bad.

You could put a 9.2 cd in the machine & boot. Hold down the c key. See if there is some type of file system checker.

Did your machine come with any diagnostic software? I think mine did. Run it.

Robert

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Answer 2

Da Nam Author

Level 4

1,115 points

Mar 26, 2007 2:27 AM in response to rccharles

Hi Robert,
Unfortunately, we didn't get an install disk when we got the imac (got it from a boot sale at a school fundraising event), so before I track a 9.2 cd down, I'jj try your suggestions and post back.

Dave

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Answer 3

Mar 26, 2007 7:29 AM in response to Da Nam

It's awfully hard to run a Mac without a System CD. If you decide to live in computing peace and safety, 9.2.1 disks are available here - apple rescue - link.

Oops, ... you're in England. Any Brits have a suggestion?

David

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Answer 4

Da Nam Author

Level 4

1,115 points

Mar 26, 2007 8:00 AM in response to David Jenson

Kinda suspected as much, just wondered if there was a solution without chasing round trying to find a replacement install cd.

He's already got a newer DV imac which he uses to edit short movies on, this one hasn't been used for a while and I was going to give it to my daughter (4 years old) as her first mac.

Guess I'll chase up an install disk. Will post back later when I've tracked one down, to see how to proceed from there.

Dave

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