iMac Urgent Question!!!

MrClungeHead · MrClungeHead #1 (**permalink**)

08-25-2010, 06:04 AM

Wow, unexpectidly this morning I was Given a MINT condition iMac G3, I'm so happy, it is in working order but there is a problem, when I turn it on, it powers up, and then shows a picture of a folder, the macintosh face and a ? flashing up, its like it's saying a folder is missing, I assume that it doesnt have a OS installed on it, but there is nothing I can do to get passed it, any ideas?

TattooedMac · TattooedMac #2 (**permalink**)

08-25-2010, 06:08 AM

Hi there MCH

You assumed right. It cant find the Boot OS on the machine.
Try booting up in SafeMode and see what you come up with .....
Post back if you can
If not look at AppleSupport and they have a cpl of resolutions for you ...

Cheers

Cheers

MrClungeHead · MrClungeHead #3 (**permalink**)

08-25-2010, 06:11 AM

so if I buy a OS Tiger, and put it in the slot loading, to install it, should it resolve the problem?!
Thanks for your reply.

Kevriano · Kevriano #4 (**permalink**)

08-25-2010, 06:13 AM

That doesn't automatically mean you have no OS, it could just be that it can't find the start up disc.
However without knowing if it does at all this could be tricky, because chances are it'll have 9.2 on it.
As that predates my knowledge I will default to someone else on that issue.
In the meantime you could try zapping the PRAM, and maybe try fsck, as that will work if it does have an OS.

Kevriano · Kevriano #5 (**permalink**)

08-25-2010, 06:14 AM

Ignore my post! We all posted at the same time.

MrClungeHead · MrClungeHead #6 (**permalink**)

08-25-2010, 06:15 AM

Thanks, what I think I'll do is buy Tiger, cheap online, as I have found it for a very reasonable price, I'll try booting it up, then if that doesnt work I'll try all the different options (:
Any more soloutions would be VERY helpfull (:

TattooedMac · TattooedMac #7 (**permalink**)

08-25-2010, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrClungeHead

Thanks, what I think I'll do is buy Tiger, cheap online, as I have found it for a very reasonable price,

Make sure they are the BLACK set of disks and not the GERY machine specific disks as they wont load onto your machine. Soo many people get caught out by this

Cheers

pigoo3 · pigoo3 #8 (**permalink**)

08-25-2010, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrClungeHead

Thanks, what I think I'll do is buy Tiger, cheap online, as I have found it for a very reasonable price, I'll try booting it up, then if that doesnt work I'll try all the different options (:
Any more soloutions would be VERY helpfull (:

I'ld love to know where you're buying Tiger cheap online. Because here in the U.S. the appropriate install disks you need usually cost near $100 dollars.

- Nick

MrClungeHead · MrClungeHead #9 (**permalink**)

08-25-2010, 10:21 AM

I have found some grey ones, ****, why wont they work? what is the difference?

Macbook Pro OS X 10.4.6 Tiger install disk on eBay (end time 04-Sep-10 20:39:27 BST)

willmeahl4 · willmeahl4 #10 (**permalink**)

08-25-2010, 10:22 AM

When in need, it could be a lot worse than $100. Not to mention, he got the thing for free.

The grey ones came with a computer in the box and will only work on that computer.
They have to be the black retail discs to work on any computer.

MrClungeHead · MrClungeHead #11 (**permalink**)

08-25-2010, 10:26 AM

I see, I have found some black ones, gonna bid for them

I WILL get this iMac Running (:
I just hope if i spend out alot for an OS that it solves my problem

willmeahl4 · willmeahl4 #12 (**permalink**)

08-25-2010, 10:30 AM

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

pigoo3 · pigoo3 #13 (**permalink**)

08-25-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrClungeHead

I have found some grey ones, ****, why wont they work? what is the difference?

As I expected...your "cheap disks" turned out to be the grey ones. You wouldn't have been the first person to make this mistake! As already mentioned, the grey disks are model specific...and only work on the model Mac they shipped with.

If you get the "black" install disk you will be fine...but you will pay a lot more for it.

Good luck,

- Nick

MrClungeHead · MrClungeHead #14 (**permalink**)

08-25-2010, 12:56 PM

just a quick idea, I also got a iBook G4 Today with black install discs, using panther...

would it go onto the iMac dya recon?!

Kevriano · Kevriano #15 (**permalink**)

08-25-2010, 01:21 PM

Nope, unlikely, but it depends. If they say iBook install discs then no go.

TattooedMac #2 (permalink)
Member Since: May 19, 2009 Location: Western Astraya Posts: 6,453 Mac Specs: 13"MBP 2.9Ghz Intel Core i7 10.8.3 ~ iPhone5 6.1.3 ~ iPad Mini 6.1.3 ~ ATV2 5.2.1	08-25-2010, 06:08 AM Hi there MCH You assumed right. It cant find the Boot OS on the machine. Try booting up in SafeMode and see what you come up with ..... Post back if you can If not look at AppleSupport and they have a cpl of resolutions for you ... Cheers Cheers Dont forget to use the Reputation System if someone has helped you out !!! Arguing with a zealot is only slightly easier than tunneling through a mountain with your forehead!!!!!
	QUOTE Thanks

Kevriano #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 02, 2006 Location: Crawley, England Posts: 4,560 Mac Specs: 20" Intel iMac 2.4 Ghz/3G Ram/320HD, Snow Leopard. PBook G4, 1.5Ghz/1.5 Ram/250 HD, Leopard 10.5.6.	08-25-2010, 06:13 AM That doesn't automatically mean you have no OS, it could just be that it can't find the start up disc. However without knowing if it does at all this could be tricky, because chances are it'll have 9.2 on it. As that predates my knowledge I will default to someone else on that issue. In the meantime you could try zapping the PRAM, and maybe try fsck, as that will work if it does have an OS. Try my custom Mac Forums Search Engine: Mac Forums Google Search Please use the reputation system if you consider any help given useful (it's the little ✓/✘ on the left <---)
	QUOTE Thanks

Kevriano #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 02, 2006 Location: Crawley, England Posts: 4,560 Mac Specs: 20" Intel iMac 2.4 Ghz/3G Ram/320HD, Snow Leopard. PBook G4, 1.5Ghz/1.5 Ram/250 HD, Leopard 10.5.6.	08-25-2010, 06:14 AM Ignore my post! We all posted at the same time. Try my custom Mac Forums Search Engine: Mac Forums Google Search Please use the reputation system if you consider any help given useful (it's the little ✓/✘ on the left <---)
	QUOTE Thanks

Kevriano #15 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 02, 2006 Location: Crawley, England Posts: 4,560 Mac Specs: 20" Intel iMac 2.4 Ghz/3G Ram/320HD, Snow Leopard. PBook G4, 1.5Ghz/1.5 Ram/250 HD, Leopard 10.5.6.	08-25-2010, 01:21 PM Nope, unlikely, but it depends. If they say iBook install discs then no go. Try my custom Mac Forums Search Engine: Mac Forums Google Search Please use the reputation system if you consider any help given useful (it's the little ✓/✘ on the left <---)
	QUOTE Thanks

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MrClungeHead #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 22, 2010 Location: South East England Posts: 87	08-25-2010, 06:04 AM Wow, unexpectidly this morning I was Given a MINT condition iMac G3, I'm so happy, it is in working order but there is a problem, when I turn it on, it powers up, and then shows a picture of a folder, the macintosh face and a ? flashing up, its like it's saying a folder is missing, I assume that it doesnt have a OS installed on it, but there is nothing I can do to get passed it, any ideas?
	QUOTE Thanks

MrClungeHead #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 22, 2010 Location: South East England Posts: 87	08-25-2010, 06:15 AM Thanks, what I think I'll do is buy Tiger, cheap online, as I have found it for a very reasonable price, I'll try booting it up, then if that doesnt work I'll try all the different options (: Any more soloutions would be VERY helpfull (:
	QUOTE Thanks

MrClungeHead #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 22, 2010 Location: South East England Posts: 87	08-25-2010, 10:21 AM I have found some grey ones, ****, why wont they work? what is the difference? Macbook Pro OS X 10.4.6 Tiger install disk on eBay (end time 04-Sep-10 20:39:27 BST)
	QUOTE Thanks

willmeahl4 #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 31, 2010 Location: FAR FAR North Metro Atlanta Posts: 123 Mac Specs: iMac 20' 2Ghz C2D, Macbook 13' 2.26 Ghz C2D, 2x iPhone 3gs (mine and the wife's), and some iPods.	08-25-2010, 10:22 AM When in need, it could be a lot worse than $100. Not to mention, he got the thing for free. The grey ones came with a computer in the box and will only work on that computer. They have to be the black retail discs to work on any computer.
	QUOTE Thanks

MrClungeHead #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 22, 2010 Location: South East England Posts: 87	08-25-2010, 10:26 AM I see, I have found some black ones, gonna bid for them I WILL get this iMac Running (: I just hope if i spend out alot for an OS that it solves my problem
	QUOTE Thanks

willmeahl4 #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 31, 2010 Location: FAR FAR North Metro Atlanta Posts: 123 Mac Specs: iMac 20' 2Ghz C2D, Macbook 13' 2.26 Ghz C2D, 2x iPhone 3gs (mine and the wife's), and some iPods.	08-25-2010, 10:30 AM Good luck, let us know how it goes.
	QUOTE Thanks

MrClungeHead #14 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 22, 2010 Location: South East England Posts: 87	08-25-2010, 12:56 PM just a quick idea, I also got a iBook G4 Today with black install discs, using panther... would it go onto the iMac dya recon?!
	QUOTE Thanks

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