iMac wont start?

[new1]

First I tried a suggestion from the official macintosh website. It didnt seem to work...
As a result after rebooting (when I typed reboot then Enter), I came up with:
/etc/master .passwd: No such file or directory
/etc/master .passwd: No such file or directory
-sh-2.05b#
Please tell me, is there any way I can fix this problem?

 

[Soulwar]

Welcome to Mac-Forums!

Could you be more descriptive with your problem? (Which iMac are you using and what you have tried?)
Does it just not boot up? (with Install disk or without)?

 

[new1]

Well.. its been collecting dust for quite some time now, all I remember is that its a Mac osx 10.3 (I believe). Anyway, when I dont have the install disc in, I also get in6_ifattach: Lo0 failed to attach a linklocal address. Im glad I got a responce.. I just hope theres something I can do to fix it.

 

[Soulwar]

With the Install disk, hold the "c" key during restart. It should boot from the Install disk.

 

[new1]

Nope.. Still wont work. Does this mean I need a new hd?
Note the edit I made in my previous post (sorry about that)

 

[Soulwar]

Not really. I have an old iMac with a bad HD, but can still boot from a disk.
It could be a lot of things actually.
Do you have access to another Mac?

 

[new1]

Unfortunately, no I dont.
What other reasons would it be acting this way? Are there other options?

 

[Soulwar]

When you had someone help you before

First I tried a suggestion from the official macintosh website. It didnt seem to work...
As a result after rebooting (when I typed reboot then Enter), I came up with:

How where you able to do that? Did you boot up holding "s" ?

 

[new1]

I tried that once, and it didnt seem to have much of an affect. Is there anything I can type to fix the problem?

 

[Soulwar]

That's what I'm trying to figure out. If you are in "single user mode" you can type in fsck -y (there is a space before the hypen)
If that works, it will check and fix any problems on the HD. After it is done, type it in again, until it finds no problems.
Also, try restarting holding the "option" key. It will try to find an active System folder to boot from.
Sorry if this seems confusing...

 

[new1]

Ok, I tried the first suggestion, and got this:
** /dev/rdisk0s3
** Root file system
** Checking JFS Plus volume.
fsck_hfs: Volume is journaled. No checking performed.
fsck_hfs: Use the -f option to force checking

so I tried -f and got (something?) and a bunch of OverLapped extent allocation messages, then:
** The volume Untitled was repaired successfully.
***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED ******

I hope this is a good sign, Ill try rebooting again.

 

[new1]

Gah.. now its back to saying the original message and still wont boot.

 

[Soulwar]

So far so good!
Also, we know you are in the "single user mode". (which is a good start)

Posted before I did...
Did you try holdin "option"?

 

[new1]

Oh man, I think I got a promising sign!
I now have an image of a lockpad, a space to type (im guessing a password) and an arrow button..
I dont remember what the password was, is there something I can do about this?

 

[Soulwar]

Was there any icons of OSX or just the space?
Try it with the disk in as well.
Anything happen when you hit the arrow button?

 

[new1]

There were no other icons, the disc has been in this whole time, and nothing happens when I hit the arrow button. I think it expects me to type a password, but I dont remember what it was. Is there any way to bypass this?
When I reboot and press c when the disc is in, I just get the original message, where as if I press option I get the lockpad screen.

 

[new1]

*accidental double post

 

[Soulwar]

Both ways I know of, require the old password.
It would seem the Optical drive doesn't work, or something else not letting it work. With it, you could reset the password or erase the HD and start over.
Still doing some research on how to bypass this problem.

 

[Soulwar]

This may explain why we can't access anything...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106482

Lock Symbol look familiar? I'd say you need a password.

 

[new1]

I found this on the page you supplied, it sounds significant..

The Open Firmware Password can be reset and changed by any one of the following:
By any administrator user, as designated in the Accounts preferences (or in Server Admin).
Via physical access to the inside of the computer.
When the computer is started up in Mac OS 9.

How could I fix it by having physical access to the inside of the computer? I tried taking it apart a while ago, and all I can do is take off the bottom lid, nothing else seems to be able to open.
How would I go about "starting up in mac os 9"?