emac won't boot, can't make it boot from disk

T

thepartymushroo

Registered
hello,

i'm trying to reinstall os x on my 1ghz g4 emac. it used to have os 10.3.9 on it, and i tried to install 10.4 using the install disk that i got with my new mini mac. a kernel panic occured. i restarted, but now it only gets as far as a little mac logo in a blue folder. i have tried putting in "software install and restore 1" disk that i got with the emac and holding down c at startup, but the same thing happens.

anyone know how i can get it to boot up again?

cheers,
jack.
 
You won't be able to since it's only meant to install on the Mac mini. Plus, if you contact Apple about any problems they will not support you since you're violating the EULA by installing a Mac OS version for one Mac that's being used unto another Mac.

If you need to upgrade to Tiger, check out this site for good prices.
 
ok. shouldn't have done that, then.

i don't need to upgrade, i just want the computer to boot. my problem now is getting the original version of os x on there which came with the emac. if anyone's got any ideas, i would be very grateful.

jack.
 
Well, the site I linked on my previous post should have the disc sets that you need. If not, there's also OWC. These will only sell the universal installation sets.

If you need the gray discs for your eMac, then you might have to head to eBay.
 
i have the right software, i have the installation disks that came with the emac. the problem is, the emac still won't boot from them. anybody know any possible way to fix this?

jack.
 
try installing from your restore disk, after checking that you have no external devices attached, other than your keyboard, and the mouse plugged into the keyboard.
If you still get a kernel panic, unplug your power cord, open the panel on the bottom, and reseat your memory. You can press the reset button located inside that compartment.
Try again to boot, holding Opt-Apple-P-R. Listen for the boot chime, and continue holding those same 4 keys for 2 more chimes, release, and (assuming the OS X install disk is still in your drive) hold the letter C to boot to the installer. See if that works for you. If that fails, check the surface of your installer disk for scratches.
I have seen failing hard drives cause a Mac to ignore any other device for booting, and you get nowhere until replacing the hard drive. That's a little unusual, unless you have already been having booting problems prior to trying to install
 
thanks for your reply deltamac.

i reset the ram and restarted (holding opt-apple-p-r) but the same thing happened - straight to flashing question mark/mac logo. (to clarify, the only time i got a kernel panic was when i tried to install 10.4 on the emac)

nothing i hold down at startup seems to make any difference. for example, i only hear one chime when booting with opt-apple-p-r held down.

cheers anyway.
jack.
 
If you continue to hold the opt-apple-p-r, the boot chime should sound every few seconds. Hold those 4 keys until you hear the chime 2 more times. If that doesn't work, maybe your keyboard is faulty...

Or, with those symptoms, I am suspecting the hard drive has failed.
 
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