Waiting for Apple file service

[MAbans]

I'm running a G4 450. Its about 6 years old and all of a sudden when it starts up it just hangs during "Waiting for Apple file service". No idea how or why. I was just about to do a fresh install on it too. Anyone have any ideas what I can do to get it past this stalled part of the start up?

If not anyone know what I can do to retrieve the information stored on that drive, through some sort of command line or anything? Any help would be fantastic.

Running OS X 10.3.9

[ecirtap]

Hi there.

Did you try starting into UNIX and doing a File System Check?

How to: after the startup chime, hold down the Apple Key & S, wait until the Mac starts into a command line looking screen, then type
/sbin/fsck -f
and confirm by hitting enter. (Make sure you copy the command correctly!!!)

If you connect your Mac to another Mac via FireWire, and start it up into Target Mode (Apple + T after the startup chime), you should definitely be able to back up all your data. (Don't forget to copy all the important settings, etc. from your Library folder!)

Post an answer if you need further assistance, and I'll try to answer asap.

ecirtap

http://www.silverknuckle.com
http://www.tattoo-source.com
http://www.silverknuckle.com/blog
http://www.tattoo-source.com/blog

[MAbans]

I can bring up the command-line but I can't my keyboard won't load up to type that out. I'm using a MacAlly icekeyboard cause my original one broke on me.

[ecirtap]

I would recommend trying this with an Apple keyboard.

It might sound like kind of a "lame" idea, but sometimes it is details like the brand of the keyboard that make the difference.

If it is a USB keyboard: did you try using it on the 2nd USB port?

ecirtap

http://www.silverknuckle.com
http://www.tattoo-source.com
http://www.silverknuckle.com/blog
http://www.tattoo-source.com/blog

[MAbans]

Sadly I do not have an apple keyboard. I will see if I can get on loan from work.. now what exactly will fchk do? What should I do after?

[cpritcha]

Have you tried simply starting up from either the OS CD, a Techtool CD, or a Diskwarrior CD? Booting up from a CD will bypass the hard drive and its OS. Diskwarrior (and sometimes Techtool) can see drives that are not functioning properly and fix them. Diskwarrior is the better of the 2 for really bad situtaions. If you can, I would use Diskwarrior- it can often save drives that seem to be lost.

[MAbans]

Saldy I don not have any of those utilities handy. Good news the Apple brang keyboard in the 2nd USB port did work. I got an invalid node Structure in my main system drive after running "/sbin/fchk -f" command it seemed to repair it properly. I'm gonna try to back up my preferences and emails and junk. If I can I will try to do a fresh install of tiger. I maybe time to finally upgrade and since its the only thing I have available to me it may be best for this situation.

*Update*

The system is still hanging at "Waiting for Apple File Service" so I'm going to try to install tiger on a new partition and see what that does.. I'll keep you all posted..

[MAbans]

Ok... *sighs* Well I installed tiger and I have encountered a slew of problems. Installation went fine but to complicate *crap* I just learned that my sonnet ATA100 is incompatable. :-( To make it now I'm can't load up 2 drives off of MOBO system IDE Bus.. is this just a tiger issue or will I be able to load up other drives using panther.. Any help PLEASE!