startup - iMac won't get to final page

Welcome to Discussions Sandy - have you tried booting from the install disc? Or in safe mode?

Safe Boot is a special way to start Mac OS X 10.2 or later when troubleshooting. Safe Mode is the state Mac OS X is in after a Safe Boot.

Starting up into Safe Mode does three things to simplify the startup and operation of your computer:

* It forces a directory check of the startup volume.
* It loads only required kernel extensions (some of the items in /System/Library/Extensions).
* In Mac OS X 10.3.9 or earlier, it runs only Apple-installed startup items (some of the items in /Library/StartupItems and /System/Library/StartupItems - and different than login items).
* Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger only: It disables all fonts other than those in /System/Library/Fonts .
* Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger only: It moves to the Trash all font caches normally stored in /Library/Caches/com.apple.ATS/(uid)/ , where (uid) is a user ID number such as 501.
* Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger only: It disables all startup items and any Login Items.


Taken together, these changes can work around issues caused by software or directory damage on the startup volume.
Some features don't work in Safe Mode

Safe Mode can be useful for troubleshooting. However, certain Mac OS X features do not work when you are started up in Safe Mode. For example, you can't use DVD Player, capture video in iMovie, use an AirPort card, use audio input or output devices, or use an internal or external USB modem.


Miriam

Starting in safe mode:

1. Be sure the computer is shut down.
2. Press the power button.
3. Immediately after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key.
Tip: The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone but not before.
4. Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple and progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).

Also, when you booted from your install disc, could you then choose your HD and start normally?

Miriam

You might try an Archive and Install as a last resort, there is something, and I don't think it's hardware, that is hanging you up, a reinstall might clear it.

Miriam

You may find this recent article from MacFixit helpful:

iMac G5: Fails to startup

Some users are reporting an issue where iMac G5s fail to properly startup -- apparently at a hardware level -- never reaching the Mac OS X startup splash screen (Apple logo with a spinning progress indicator).

[Note that in cases where the system does reach the Mac OS X startup splash screen or further progression but stalls, software issues may be to blame.]

Potential fixes

Disconnect external devices External devices -- especially those that draw power from the system -- can cause issues with startup that manifest either at the beginning of or later in the boot process. Try temporarily any external FireWire or USB devices then re-attempt startup and check for persistence of the issue.

Reset SMU Although this workaround was not successful in Connors' case, resetting the iMac G5's SMU (system management unit) as described in Apple Knowledge Base article #301733 can resolve a variety of power-related problems, including sudden-onset startup failure.

Check power cables Check your power cord for a loose connection. As noted in the aforementioned reader case, unplugging and re-plugging the power cord can sometimes result in a successful startup -- likely the result of a more snug fit.

Also, power cables can become defective or ship in such a state. Try exchanging the power cable from a problematic machine with a system that starts up properly to eliminate this as a potential cause.

[Note that in cases where the system does reach the Mac OS X startup splash screen or further progression but stalls, software issues may be to blame.]

I think this may be the OP's problem, he gets to the progress bar.

Miriam

Make sure when troubleshooting you disconnect all devices except for the keyboard & mouse from your computer & shut your printer/scanner/fax OFF.

Sandy, you are the OP = Original Poster and what I meant was that your problem is likely to be a software one according to Apple's definition (
[Note that in cases where the system does reach the Mac OS X startup splash screen or further progression but stalls, software issues may be to blame.]), which is what I suspected all along.

Miriam