01-26-2009, 01:24 PM

I have it set to boot from cd rom but a ? mark keeps coming up and a grey screen comes up and the disk ejects. The same thing happened with a ubuntu os disk and when i hold down c it still doesnt boot from disk.. I tried other key combinations comand option etc. but a lock came up and it asked me to enter a pasword. I think this is some sort of lock but i dont know the password as it is second hand (the previous owner doesnt know it either)i ve tried resetting the pram and i dont think that works either.. what can i do?

01-26-2009, 01:58 PM

Was it an OS X disk or OS9?

01-26-2009, 02:05 PM

The flashing ? means system folder can not be found. Your going to need the
Imac software install disc or restore disc for your Imac. Do not use a OS10 disc.
You have to install the correct firmwear update before you install Ten. Are you shure it has a working Hard Drive,it could be crashed.

01-26-2009, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by Avenger2SER

Was it an OS X disk or OS9?

It was os 8.5 i got it on ebay, im fairly sure it was 8.something anyways.. maybe 8.6?

Originally Posted by Mac SK

The flashing ? means system folder can not be found. Your going to need the
Imac software install disc or restore disc for your Imac. Do not use a OS10 disc.
You have to install the correct firmwear update before you install Ten. Are you shure it has a working Hard Drive,it could be crashed.

It was a software restore disk for 8.5... I was working fine but then i set the pc to load off a cd rom.. Is there any way i can get it back to loading off the Hard Disk??(eg.key combinations no?) Im using a windows keyboard, i dont have a mac one (no point in buying one until im sure i have a working mac lol
Anyone got any ideas??thanks!

01-26-2009, 03:43 PM

Hold down the option key on start up, it'll let you set the start up disk.

01-26-2009, 11:18 PM

Not all PC keyboards work with a G3 Imac. Like Avenger2ser said try to hold down the option key and choose Hard Drive in the dialog box. Good Luck.

01-27-2009, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by Mac SK

Not all PC keyboards work with a G3 Imac. Like Avenger2ser said try to hold down the option key and choose Hard Drive in the dialog box. Good Luck.

thanks I tried that but it doesnt work the password keeps coming. I think its this firmware protection and the disk keep ejecting also

01-27-2009, 11:55 AM

It's possible that your iMac is too new to work with OS 8.5 or 8.6. If you have an 8.5 CD, it may only be compatible with an original iMac G3/233. 8.6 should work with the five-fruit iMac 266s, 333s, and the first round of slot-loading iMacs.

Starting with the Summer 2000 models, which switched the color scheme to Indigo, Sage, Ruby, Graphite, and Snow (instead of the fruit colors), the iMacs require OS 9 and won't be able to boot from an OS 8.6 CD.

01-27-2009, 11:37 PM

You have to have the Imac restore disc to remove the password. I would just take out the Hard Drive and nuke it in another computer. Put it back. The problem is you need install disc for Imac that has the right firmwear for your Imac. If you do not install the right firmwear the machine will shut down and not restart.