Frozen PowerPC G4 (2.1) OS X 10.3.9

Y

Yola

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I hope I'm in the correct location. I'm a novice with Macs, so please pardon my ignorance. I've searched threads for answers to my problem, but found none.

My computer froze up when I tried to send a large file with Eudora 5.0. I'm working on a project and sent that same size file many times earlier today with success. The message said the internet connection timed out and the beachball kept twirling. I couldn't close out of Eudora.

So I hit the reset button (I think that's what it is - the little button below the main start button on the tower) and when it restarted I was stuck again. After many attempts and getting stopped with a grey screen with a flashing questionmark inside a file folder, I finally pressed "X" to start in X and bypassed that flashing questionmark. (A web search gave me the idea to press "X", and it worked!)

But then the dang computer froze up again! Long story short, I was able to restart with the Apple Hardware Test disk and learned that everything is fine with my hardware. So it must be a software problem.

Still couldn't shut down the computer! Had to unplug it. Was able to restart again, and then copied the file I wanted to send onto a disk so I can send it from my PC (which is where I'm typing this request for help).

Meanwhile, I'm afraid my Mac is all messed up. Please advise what to do to clean things up so it will work better. On my PC I perform a disk cleanup, disk defragmenter and use a registry booster to clean up registry errors. What do I have to do on my old Mac to keep it running smoothly?

And what do you suggest I do to avoid the above problem again?

I appreciate whatever guidance you can give me. :)
 
Yola-try zap the pram--- do a restart and immediately hold dow the comm.-opt. p & r keys. keep them held down until you have heard 3 startup chimes. this will take a min. or two. this does a reset of system items. it may work for you. can't hurt.
Dickster---------------------------------------------------------
 
Yola said:
...

My computer froze up when I tried to send a large file with Eudora 5.0. I'm working on a project and sent that same size file many times earlier today with success. The message said the internet connection timed out and the beachball kept twirling. I couldn't close out of Eudora.

...
Click to expand...
If you are using Eudora 5.0 then you must be using it in the Classic environment. The most recent real version of Eudora for the Mac is Eudora 6.2.4 and it works just fine as a MacOS X native (Carbon) app. I forget exactly when Eudora 5 was released, but it must date back to MacOS 8 or even to the later days of MacOS 7/System 7. This is important because it is predates MacOS 9, the heart of the Classic environment. It is understandable that you would have issues with large files.

I am a former Eudora user. When I upgraded from MacOS 9 to MacOS X, however, I made the switch to Mail. Mail has a facility to move all of your Eudora messages over. It works like a charm. If you have reasons for sticking with Eudora, then upgrade to Eudora 6.2.4. It also works like a charm.
 
After I had posted my original request for help, my problem has escalated. I ended up with a system failure message on my screen. It mentioned a problem with Darwin kernel Version 7.9.0. The screen was full of numbers and crash info about backtraces and exception states.

Last line at the bottom of the screen said, "Waiting for remote debugger connection." I searched the internet to find out what that meant, and what I was to do, but couldn't find anything I understood. The following page was over my head: http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn2002/tn2063.html

Thanks for the "zap the pram" suggestion, Dickster. It got me away from the system failure screen. Only now I'm back to a grey screen with a flashing question mark and apple smiling face alternating inside a file folder. And so I'm stuck!

Mister Me:
I was guessing which version of Eudora I'm using, since I wasn't able to access the application on the Mac to see what version it is. I know I'm using it in OS X, so I must have remembered incorrectly which version it is. I appreciate your comments, though. Sorry about my confusion.

Now... what to do about that flashing question mark? Restarting and holding the X key didn't work this time. Got it back again. (after hearing a zipping sound coming from the tower).

Ugh! I hope there's a Mac wiz out there who can rescue me. I'm at my wit's end. Makes me glad I have this PC to access the internet with.
 
The "Flashing Question Mark" means the computer cannot find a "bona fide" System Folder.

You need to reboot on your Installation Disk, run Disk Utility and see if that fixes things. If it does not, you can try a repair program such as Disk Warrior--a good thing to have. That is good if you have NOT backed up your data--it can "take a picture" as it were--of your hard drive allowing you to try to send files to an Ex-HD.

Then you may need to either Archive and Install or--if you have all your data--Erase and Install . . . then update with Combo-Updates . . . then transfer your data.

"But . . . I don'ts has mai disks!!11!"

You need to get them: If you have a "bona fide" disk for your OS--a retail disk--that should be fine. If you have neither, consider getting one for 10.3--they are cheap now. Actually, a retail version--also possible to get from reputable dealers cheap--10.4 may be just as good.

--J.D.
 
Doctor X, Nice to see your gorgeous eyes!

I wrestled with my disc drive to put in Disk 1 for my OS. It first went to a grey screen, then to that apple file folder, and then to the big apple with the paddles running around in a circle.

My tower is squeaking and clicking something horrible! (The same sound it made when it first froze up and crashed.)

Oila! I'm now at the installer menu and found Disk Utility. Now what? Like I said, I'm a novice, so I don't know what to do next. Options are First Aid (but the only choice is the DVD drive), Erase (which I do NOT want to do!), Partition (which is over my head), and Restore (which I'm afraid of doing without further guidance).

This grasshopper is patiently awaiting instructions.
 
Unfortunately, I am schedule to go out and beat people up so I will be gone for a few hours.

IF it gives you the option to "Erase" and "Restore" it SHOULD recognize your HD. You SHOULD be able to repair your HD.

Hold on . . .

DiskUtility-1.jpg


This is my Disk Utility on my start-up volume. Notice I can still repair disk permissions and verify the disk. To repair the disk, I would have to be "booted" on another disk--unmount my Startup Volume.

You SHOULD see your HD in the list on the left. The one on mine that is "298.1 GB WDC blah . . . blah" is the ENTIRE HD--with my Startup Volume and a eDrive from TechTools. You should see something like that--mounted or not.

If you do NOT see your HD . . . well I am stumped. Even with a DEAD HD Disk Utility will see the HD. It should not give you the option to "Erase" if it cannot see a HD!

What disk will it allow you to "Erase?" If you click Erase next to First Aid, it will NOT immediately erase your HD--it will show you what you CAN erase--in my case it will not show my HD since it is mounted.

If it shows nothing to erase . . . then it is not seeing your HD. Then you need the help of a bona fide Guru: it could be that your cable to your HD is FUBAR'd or something.

If you DO see your HD, you have the option to "Repair Disk." Keep running that until it finds no errors. This may never happen--your HD or Volume is FUBAR'd. If HD is FUBAR'd then you need a new HD as I think explained previously. If your volume is FUBAR'd then you need to re-install it. If you have not saved your data--Archive and Install. Then grab your data. People live well on an A&I volume--I have a few times--but Gurus may tell you it is ultimately safer to Erase and Install to get a clean, pristine volume. You can do that after you save your data to "Somewhere Else."

Then you can Erase and Install . . . install a new OS . . . and then transfer your account--hook up to the drive you have your data saved and it may do that. If not, you just have to update the OS--download Combo Updates is the best way according to the Gurus--then bring over your data.

This takes some time, but TNT is running a Law&Order "mini-marathon" so you can be entertained.

--J.D.
 
Well I am stumped! The only files the Erase window shows are my 3.9 GB PINOEER DVD-RW DVR-104 drive, with the eMac Restore DVD showing under it! My HD isn't there.

Crazy thing is when I inserted the Apple Hardware Test disk and did a thorough test, it didn't find any hardware problems at all.

I hope I'm not FUBAR'd! Need to find a Mac Guru in metro-Atlanta.

sigh...
 
I'm now baffled. I just restarted the Disk and checked Disk Utility. Lo and behold, my HD is now there!

Have now clicked on First Aid and Repair Disk... am keeping my fingers crossed that the Gremlins leave my Mac alone and let it heal.
 
Thank you, everyone, for your all your help. ::angel:: After repairing the disk and the permissions, I was able to reboot from my hard drive and complete my project. Have copied the file onto a disk to email from another computer. Did not want to temp the fates and chance Eudora freezing up again.

Turns out I have Eudora 5.1 (not 5.0), and it runs in OS X - especially since that colorful beachball would spin when it would freeze.

Whew! What a journey! You guys are the best. :D
 
Unfortunately, I cannot take a picture of my screen when I am booted on an Installation Disk to show you what you get. When it boots up, it will ask you to choose a language, then it will show what you can load the OS on--in mine it will show my HD with a "!" because I have a higher OS--10.5.6. There is an "Options" button which will take me to the option to Archive and Install, Erase, et cetera.

Now, does your Hardware Test tell you that your HD is fine? Does it detect your HD? I would expect it does not. Be that as it may, it appears your computer is not recognizing your HD--nor is your installation disk.

Assuming you do not have a problem with the connection to your HD, you need a new HD. In fact, I suspect your HD was failing--which is what caused your original problem. When the fail . . . they can just FAIL or they can cause a problem or two . . . then . . . boom!

If Disk Warrior--not a bad investment--does not see the HD I think you answered the question. Replacing a HD on can be pretty easy depending on the model, so you can save $$$ replacing it yourself. Otherwise, you can try taking it to a MacGuru in Atlanta but be aware of a few things. "Your millage may vary," but in my experience, it is like going to a Best Buy--some know what they are doing . . . some just try to sell you a new computer. Back in the day, when I would occassionally FUBAR my OS 9, I would be told I needed all sorts of crap. All I needed was DW to fix the problem. So I would see if someone HERE has a recommendation so you know they guy will check out your Mac properly.

--J.D.
 
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