I have a mac mini G4, 1.25 ghz, 512 MB running OS 10.4. To override a firmware password, I installed a 1 GB ram, restarted while zapping the PRAM but it started up with a flashing file and question mark. I switched back the 512 MB ram, but it's doing the same thing. (I successfully wiped out the firmware password)
I have tried the following:
1. Starting while holding the option key, but it does not give me a list of mounted drives to choose from (there's only an arrow key and a circular arrow key on the screen - both do nothing when pressed)
2. The same thing as above happens when I try to start in single user mode.
3. I started from the OS 10.4 disk and was able to choose the option to repair the hard disk in the disk utility - which came back clean, no repairs needed. I also verified and repaired disk permissions.
4. From the install disk, the only options to choose for a start up disk is the network or the DVD, the mac mini hard drive is not an option.
5. I was able to start in target mode and via firewire, see the mounted mac mini hard drive on a second mac. I had full access to all the files, everything seemed in order.
I am stumped. I can choose the hard drive to repair it, I can see it mounted on a second computer, but I cannot see it to choose it as my start up disk. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have tried the following:
1. Starting while holding the option key, but it does not give me a list of mounted drives to choose from (there's only an arrow key and a circular arrow key on the screen - both do nothing when pressed)
2. The same thing as above happens when I try to start in single user mode.
3. I started from the OS 10.4 disk and was able to choose the option to repair the hard disk in the disk utility - which came back clean, no repairs needed. I also verified and repaired disk permissions.
4. From the install disk, the only options to choose for a start up disk is the network or the DVD, the mac mini hard drive is not an option.
5. I was able to start in target mode and via firewire, see the mounted mac mini hard drive on a second mac. I had full access to all the files, everything seemed in order.
I am stumped. I can choose the hard drive to repair it, I can see it mounted on a second computer, but I cannot see it to choose it as my start up disk. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
However, the sub option to transfer the user account information was grayed out. I now have a fresh install with a previous system folder which contains the user accounts. I really don't want to lose all the information...is there a way to set those user accounts back up with all their same information and settings?