iMac - imac G3 will not boot from cd!!! help!!

platinum · platinum #1 (**permalink**)

05-28-2007, 07:59 PM

hi

i have an imac G3 that i need to run linux. i was the one who wanted to get os 9 to run. i ended up buying from a local staples store (it was only $26), and i don't really like it as much as i thought i would. so, that aside, i need to run linux.

however, this **** imac will not boot off of a cd!!! when i try to boot off of my ubuntu powerpc edition disc from the internal drive, it just sits, hums, buzzes, makes cd drive noises, then continues to boot from the hard drive. so, i try to boot from an external cd drive on usb (i don't have firewire). so, when i press and hold option to get to the boot menu, i select the external cd drive (it mounts fine). then, something weird happens. the colors invert, and goes back to the menu, and thats it. it'll mount again, i'll try again, and it doesn't work.

help!!!!!!!!!!!!

MacHeadCase · MacHeadCase #2 (**permalink**)

05-28-2007, 08:05 PM

The background/more info to your problem is here, right? http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62703

This is just to help members here know what has been suggested so far.

platinum · platinum #3 (**permalink**)

05-28-2007, 08:16 PM

doh!!!!

now i remember :^|

but heres my problem: whenever i try to boot off of that external usb cd drive (which is known to work just fine) from this linux disc, the colors invert on the screen, and i goes back to the system picker. could resetting the PRAM fix this, or open firmware? how do i do that?

platinum · platinum #4 (**permalink**)

05-28-2007, 09:30 PM

ugghhh...

i hope someone can help me :prays:

i'll check back in a few

Earthworm Jim · Earthworm Jim #5 (**permalink**)

05-29-2007, 09:53 PM

I just experienced something similar with an old g3 imac. In my case, I had to change the firmware alias for 'cd' to point to the USB device before it would boot successfully.

Hold down CTRL+OPTION+O+F, hit power button, get a firmware prompt. Note: your device path may be different from mine. at the firmware prompt type dev / ls to get a list of the attached devices:
0> dev / ls
<you'll get a list of devices - figure out the path to your USB cd drive, then ->
0> devalias cd /pci@f2000000/usb@19/disk@1
0> boot cd,\\:tbxi

When my system restarts, the alias for 'cd' points to the built in CD-ROM device. YMMV, I took a few lucky guesses.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
iMac not allowing normal boot	FourFacesOfLife	Apple Desktops	9	04-20-2007 09:59 AM
Imac G4 won't boot - again!	Griffo	OS X - Operating System	17	10-16-2006 11:49 AM
The New iMac (merged)	EDIT-XTREEM	Apple Desktops	7	07-21-2006 04:29 PM
iMac G3 won't boot up to the OS	Rachyl	Apple Desktops	1	12-17-2005 07:39 PM
Imac Won't Boot	Matman34	Apple Desktops	2	10-08-2004 10:18 AM

iMac - imac G3 will not boot from cd!!! help!!

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

platinum #1 (permalink)
Member Since: May 16, 2007 Posts: 17	05-28-2007, 07:59 PM hi i have an imac G3 that i need to run linux. i was the one who wanted to get os 9 to run. i ended up buying from a local staples store (it was only $26), and i don't really like it as much as i thought i would. so, that aside, i need to run linux. however, this **** imac will not boot off of a cd!!! when i try to boot off of my ubuntu powerpc edition disc from the internal drive, it just sits, hums, buzzes, makes cd drive noises, then continues to boot from the hard drive. so, i try to boot from an external cd drive on usb (i don't have firewire). so, when i press and hold option to get to the boot menu, i select the external cd drive (it mounts fine). then, something weird happens. the colors invert, and goes back to the menu, and thats it. it'll mount again, i'll try again, and it doesn't work. help!!!!!!!!!!!!
	QUOTE Thanks

MacHeadCase #2 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	05-28-2007, 08:05 PM The background/more info to your problem is here, right? http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62703 This is just to help members here know what has been suggested so far.
	QUOTE Thanks

platinum #4 (permalink)
Member Since: May 16, 2007 Posts: 17	05-28-2007, 09:30 PM ugghhh... i hope someone can help me :prays: i'll check back in a few
	QUOTE Thanks

Earthworm Jim #5 (permalink)
Member Since: May 25, 2007 Posts: 6	05-29-2007, 09:53 PM I just experienced something similar with an old g3 imac. In my case, I had to change the firmware alias for 'cd' to point to the USB device before it would boot successfully. Hold down CTRL+OPTION+O+F, hit power button, get a firmware prompt. Note: your device path may be different from mine. at the firmware prompt type dev / ls to get a list of the attached devices: 0> dev / ls <you'll get a list of devices - figure out the path to your USB cd drive, then -> 0> devalias cd /pci@f2000000/usb@19/disk@1 0> boot cd,\\:tbxi When my system restarts, the alias for 'cd' points to the built in CD-ROM device. YMMV, I took a few lucky guesses.
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)