Option Startup icons X'd out

H

herbcohen

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I have an I book G4 With a full disk that wont boot. When I boot from the Opt key three icons show up. The HD icon which is X'd out the same with the Osx 10.3 software icon and the osx 10.3 hardware icon that has no X. clicking on the hardware test is the only one that works and everything passes. I assume the software icon wont execute because the HD is full and it's icon is X'd out
The HD checks out when tested in the single user mode.
Is there a command in the single user mode that will allow me to delete files and or display and delete files.
I have zapped the pram reset firmware , safe boot reset vram


Help Herb
 
herbcohen said:
Is there a command in the single user mode that will allow me to delete files and or display and delete files.

Help Herb
Click to expand...

Not that I'm aware of, but that doesn't mean that there isn't such a command out there ... maybe another can advise on that ...

Best bet, AFAIK, is to mount your iBook's internal disc on another compatible Mac, much like you would an external disc. Or if you had a bootable ext drive you could attach that and boot from it, then you'd have access to your files.

Check this link for compatibility and how-to information with regards to FireWire Target Disc Mode.

EDIT​

I found this, and it seems you can delete in Single User Mode but it's a wild frontier and a bleeding edge from where I stand ;)​
 
Yes, you can delete files and folders in single-user mode, using the same methods you'd use from within Terminal. The three commands you'll use most are:

cd <folder> (moves to a different folder)
ls (lists the files in the active folder)
rm <file> (deletes a file)
rm -r <folder> (deletes a folder)

Be careful with rm. Don't delete anything unless you're really sure it's not important.

If you boot from the OS X installation CD and open Disk Utility (under the Utilities menu, I think), how much free space does it say your disk has? Do you know what triggered this un-bootability?

If all else fails, I highly recommend Disk Warrior.
 
Hi Tracy:
I tried everything but no luck. I did learn how to delete files though.
I am waiting for a firewire cable and another mac to try the target mode.
Thanks for the info
Herb
 
Hi Mikuro:
Thanks for the info>
Tried to delete folders. It didn't solve the problem.
The problem is I can't boot to osx 10.3

I am going to get a fire wire and another Mac and try the target mode. I wonder if I can format the HD in the single user mode?
Thanks again

Herb
 
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