Please help with installation difficulties on my B&W G3

[Ella]

Hi there,
I purcased a B&WG3 off of Ebay last year, but have had trouble with it since I set it up. I use it and my Imac, for design, but unfortunately I have a difficult time understanding system information, so have no idea what the issues are. It's been freezing and crashing from day one, and not just when running apps, it's constant. The majority of error messages say "unmapped memory exception"...I'm running OS 9.2.2, but I have 10.3/Panther, and I'd like to install that, but I can't seem to do that either...I get the message that it can't install on the startup disk error -2...I even thought I should just wipe everything,since I have it backed up, but I can't do that either! I'm getting an error that says "can't wipe remote disc..."
I'm so frustrated, but it's because of my lack of understanding. I really need to make this work if I can, and ANY advice, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I put my system info below, but if you need the device & volume info, I can paste that as well. I've posted this on two other forums, but I still haven't gotten any feedback. I'm hoping that someone here can decipher my ramblings THX!
Serial numberNot applicable

Mac OS overview

Finder9.2

System9.2.2 US

Active enablerNone

QuickTime6.0.2

CarbonLib1.6

File sharingis off

Multiple Users1.4.1

Startup device

Namebeezus

TypeATA Hard drive

LocationID = 0

BusInternal ATA

Memory overview

Disk cache8160K

Virtual memory990 MB

Used on volumebeezus

Built-in memory256 MB

Number of empty RAM slots: 2 (DIMM2/J21,DIMM3/J22)

Location Size Memory type

DIMM0/J19 128 MB DIMM

DIMM1/J20 128 MB DIMM

Backside L2 cache1 MB

Hardware overview

Machine ID406

Model namePowerMac G3 Series

Keyboard typeApple USB Keyboard

Processor infoPowerPC G3

Machine speed400 MHz

Nanokernel version: 2.27

Nanokernel pool extends: 10

Nanokernel scheduled CPUs:1

 

[cradom]

My first advice is disable the Multiple Users control panel. I've had nothing but problems with it. Others might disagree.

Make sure you dont have any extension conflicts. Try running with just the Apple stuff (use extension manager).

Use DiskFirstAid and check your drive, just in case.

I have 9.2.2, Panther, and Yellowdog linux running fine on my Rev A BW 400. Using a Tempo PCI card with a 120 gig drive.

 

[Ella]

Thanks for the reply. I did what you suggested with the extensions, and checked the drive, did a clean install of 9.2, and throughout the process kept getting the weird messages. One says there's an issue with the shrink wrapper(which I've seen before), but I don't have a shrink wrapper...I also still get the message, when I click on the OSX disk and then the installer, the window says restart, but it never gets that far. It doesn't restart, it just says unable to install OSX on startup disk...shouldn't I be able to just click on the installer immediately after inserting the disk, and follow directions to have it installed?
...going nuts...aaackkk. Help

My first advice is disable the Multiple Users control panel. I've had nothing but problems with it. Others might disagree.

Make sure you dont have any extension conflicts. Try running with just the Apple stuff (use extension manager).

Use DiskFirstAid and check your drive, just in case.

I have 9.2.2, Panther, and Yellowdog linux running fine on my Rev A BW 400. Using a Tempo PCI card with a 120 gig drive.

 

[cradom]

Ok, first go here: http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/G3-ZONE/
and read about the problems with the rev A boards and the drive controllers. (Dont know if this applies to you) There's all kind of info on the B&W there.

Also it works better if you boot from the OS X CD (restart holding the C key).
BTW Apple recommends you set virtual memory to 1 meg more than real memory. I saw in your list you have it at 990. Try changing that to 257.

 

[Ella]

Thank you for the time, I'll try everything, and hopefully I'll get it together!

 

[Ella]

Thank you for the time, I'll try everything, and hopefully I'll get it together!

It seems to be an issue choosing the startup disk. I can re-start OS9.2 by holding down the c key, but I can't do it with the OSX disc. It just stays dark. I also can't do it by startup preferences. They show me my hardrive and OSX, but OSX is ghosted, so the only choice I have is my hardrive...It works fine installing on my IMAC (although I don't have enough room, but it does what it's supposed to by restarting and bringing up the OSX screen...so it's the B&W. It's possible that I do have a revision 1, but I haven't opened it up to view.

 

[Badger]

It sounds like your OS X installer disk is for another computer or it is an upgrade disk instead of a full installer. Most system installers that come with a computer are keyed to that type of computer and usually won't work with another model.

 

[MacsWork]

Frustrated?

If you have extra RAM handy I would try to substitute RAM.

Also I believe a buddy of mine has been affected by this iMac issue as well.

http://tc.versiontracker.com/product/redir/lid/300665/iMac_FWUpdate_4.1.9.smi.bin

There's a known Firmware issue with some iMacs when installing OS X please be aware. Usually video related although it seems you haven't gotten to that point yet. Which is why I would see what different RAM will do for you.

Do a goggle search on imac firmware update for os x