G4 Startup Problem Gray screen Black Rectangle

[johnb22]

Hello, I tried installing a Seagate external hard drive on my Power Mac G4. After installing the driver, my machine froze. I shut it down by powering off. When I powered it back on the Tone played, the Gray Screen came on, The Apple Icon appeared and then a small Black Rectangle Box appeared above the icon and nothing else happens.

I tried to start up with the install disc and holding the C Key but the same thing happens. I tried starting it and held the startup button longer. A different tone came on, a noise that sounds like the fan came on, a Gray Screen comes on with printing on it giving me the machine specs, build date etc and a prompt to continue startup to enter "mac-boot". when I do that the earlier gray screen, icon and black rectangle reappears and nothing happens.

Can this be fixed or is the machine fried? Please help. Thanks

 

[harryb2448]

What install disc are you using to try and boot from ~ the original system restore disc that came with the machine, or a later version full retail install disc? Here is a link to Apple Discussions suggestions:-

Apple - Support - Discussions - Grey screen of death on boot after ...

Also have you installed any memory and hardware recently that would cause a panic attack? Also a failing HDD can cause this. Very suspicious also about this Seagate driver business as Mac OS has its own drivers. Have installed dozen s of Seagate drives and all theyn require is to be formatted by Disk Utility Mac OS Extended, and partitioned in necessary. What did you actually install?

 

[Mac SK]

Many new drives come from the factory preformated for Windows. What were theses drivers you installed.

 

[mpkdem]

Hi,

I saw this post and tried the recomendations from it. I am trying to start a MAC Mini from a Fantom external firewire HD (1TB). I was able to format and install MAC OS 10.4.6 from an eMac. It started the emac this way so I felt confident it would work on the mini. (1.86 ghz, 512 MB/SD/AP/BT). I tried starting up with the target mode and all I saw was the firewire symbol which bounces around on the screen. I'm pretty sure the internal HD is bad, but I'm not sure aboput the rest of the machine. I've zapped the pram several times. The computer will not start from any CD. What else can I try?

 

[harryb2448]

Won't start on the mini as Intel use a different Tiger OS to Power PCs. The mini originally came with a special Intel version of Tiger OS X.4.7.

Have you got the original disc or a Leopard OS X.5 full retail install DVD?

 

[mpkdem]

Yes, but when I start the mini with either the c or d keys pressed the disc is read but ejected. I wasn't sure if this thread was closed and started another "How to start a mini from an external HD". I am very stuck at the moment and am looking for suggestions. Thanks