iMac G3 Running 9.1, now gone

Hey everybody. I have a iMac G3 (32 mb ram, 6 gb hd, 15", tray loading cd-drive, no firewire, basically, a pretty old, weak thing!) and what I did was, I turned it on for the first time in years. It was running OS 9.1. Okay, whatever. So, I have this copy of Panther, and decided to turn the iMac on again (this is a few days later) to see if I can install it to upgrade the iMac. All good. It turns on, does the bong, but then- the evil little demon with the folder and flashing Mac/? symbol. I can install Panther by pressing "C" key at startup, but I'm first just trying to figure out what happened to OS 9. Where did it go? Like I said, I turned it on few days earlier, and OS 9.1. It wasn't even TOUCHED for those days in between. And I turn it back on and- no OS. It had 9!!! Basically, I just want to know if anybody has even a CLUE what might have happened here. It ran 9 perfectlly well, and- gone. Please help! Thanks a lot.

most likely something ha gone wrong with he disk structure, you could do a disk repair with disk utility (under the utilities menu when yuo reach the panther install from booting from the optical disk)

If a disk repair doesn't bring back OS 9 then its gone for good.

But you will need atlast 128 meg of RAM to install Tiger (512 meg preferred)

Apple iMac Memory Upgrades and Video Installation Guides - Get the right memory for your G3, G4, G5, or Intel iMac Model

Firstly I think you will have to get OS 9 booted and running and update the iM ac firmware before installing OS X for the first time. This is the firmware you require, how to download and install:-

About iMac Firmware Update 1.2 Document and Software

That iMac should have come with a CD and OS 9.x (this information is not provided). Can the OP locate that disk? Starting the iMac with it would be the way I'd go. It will enable restoration of the original OS.

Upgrading to Panther will install OS 9 as part of OS X, so OS 9 applications will operate.

Get that RAM upgraded as far as the machine will take. I plan to take my G3 iMac/Panther to its maximum of 1 Gb, but then it is a 600 MHz model, currently with 512 Mb RAM.

Ya, all I have is the Panther disk and even that isn't loading. It might be the optimal drive, or how weak the iMac is- 32 MBs of RAM and 6 GB HD is pretty weak. I may update the thing and upgrade later, but thanks for all your help. If I ever get an OS on there, this info will be helpful. Thanks a lot!!!