Imac G4, OS 9.2, shuts down on start...

[dv9296]

I was going to optimize my Dads Imac with Norton Utilities 8.0. This version is compatible with OS 8,9, and 10. To boot up from CD in OS 9, I was supposed to hold the option key down, but forgot and held the C key down (OS10) . I listened to the CD rom operating for awhile and no screen, and rebooted the system. After that I have never got a screen back. Will not boot from "any" bootable CD. Tried holding option, apple, P, R, to reset pram. It bonged twice and shut down. Now when I turn it on...it bongs once, pauses for few seconds and shuts down, light goes out. I have to unplug power and plug back in to try again. Reboot button doesn't even work. OH CRAP! HELP?

 

[ecirtap]

Oh dear - how bad when this kind of stuff happens...

As far as I remember, Norton Utilities have not exactly
received too favourable reviews over the past few ye-
ars. I'd personally give them a miss.

Unless I am totally mistaken, you should be able to
start up the iMac in Target mode (right after you hear
the startup chime, press T on the keyboard & wait for
the Fire Wire icon to appear), so you can hook it up -
via Fire Wire - to a second computer and do some re-
pair from there.

Since the iMac is running on OS 9, make absolutely
sure that you are using a utility that is OS 9 compa-
tible!!!

patrice
http://www.silverknuckle.com
http://www.tattoo-source.com
http://patrice.wordpress.com

 

[nixgeek]

If you need a good program that supports the Mac very well, get DiskWarrior. It's recommended by everyone here. Norton hasn't done well with the Macintosh since the move to X, and they don't even support (or plan to support) Tiger.

 

[bobw]

Try booting from your OS 9 disc by holding the C key down. That hasn't changed, in both OS 9 and OS X you hold the C key down to boot from a bootable disc.