10-05-2010, 08:16 AM

Hello I work for a company that just got alot of old macs in - not sure what version they are but they look like this: Google Image Result for http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005YXCD.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

What I need to do is to DBAN them - basically wipe everything off them as well as the OS and install a new OS. I have a CD which gets any other computer DBAN from the network server but with the Mac I can't get it to boot from that CD. My question is how do I get it to boot from the CD?

I know that Mac's don't have your traditional BIOS that Pc's have but I know you can do it. I tried holding down C as it boots up but it won't do it. Btw the keyboard attached isn't a mac keyboard so there are no Command or Option buttons available.

10-05-2010, 08:36 AM

Tell us more about the CD you're trying to boot from. What OS version...what does it look like (photo would help).

- Nick

10-05-2010, 09:39 AM

The CD is called a PIXIE disk - it allows an ordinary network card to behave as a PIXIE compliant network card. It essentially links the computer to the network server and from there we have the option of DEBANNING the computer and then reinstalling a new OS onto it, Linux - Ubuntu.

The Mac has already been wiped clear but we need to do it again however it displays this symbol when turned on and won't go any further: Google Image Result for http://i3.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/-1/lens11833931_1277817184mac_issues.jpg

What you think?

10-05-2010, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by Katana24

The CD is called a PIXIE disk - it allows an ordinary network card to behave as a PIXIE compliant network card. It essentially links the computer to the network server and from there we have the option of DEBANNING the computer and then reinstalling a new OS onto it, Linux - Ubuntu.

The Mac has already been wiped clear but we need to do it again however it displays this symbol when turned on and won't go any further: Google Image Result for http://i3.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/-1/lens11833931_1277817184mac_issues.jpg

What you think?

The folder ? means theres no OS on the drive nothing to boot from. When you reinstall "Linux" for example you will have to reformat the Hard Drive anyway and the drive will be clean. I think your going to load each computer from the CD rom and not a network as the hard drives will have to be formated for linux.

10-05-2010, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by Katana24

The CD is called a PIXIE disk - it allows an ordinary network card to behave as a PIXIE compliant network card. It essentially links the computer to the network server and from there we have the option of DEBANNING the computer and then reinstalling a new OS onto it, Linux - Ubuntu.

The Mac has already been wiped clear but we need to do it again however it displays this symbol when turned on and won't go any further:

What you think?

So I understand...is the idea not to load the Macintosh OS onto these computers...but a different OS (such as Linux)?

By the way...I didn't need a photo of the folder with the "?" on it...I've only seen that about a "million" times! I meant I wanted to see a photo of the Mac OS install disk you were trying to use. But if you're installing a different OS like Linux...then I don't need a photo.

Good luck,

- Nick