Panther Startup Problems

I

isolpj

Registered
Hello all. I just upgraded to Panther tonight from x.2. Everything went as planned and I was able to connect to my airport network and tweak some stuff. One of the things that I tweaked was enabling fast user switching. In the midst of doing that, I was downloading the software updates that I needed in the background. Here is where the problem lies.

I was able to change back and forth between users even as the software updates were going in the background. However, during one of the switches between users, I got a blue screen - just a blank blue screen. I was unable to do or see anything other than a blue screen. I waited there for about 15 minutes and then decided to reboot.

Now, when I boot up I get the gray screen with the spinning wheel - not the beach ball, but the spinning wheel. It stays there forever. I have run disk utility and repair permissions and all is OK. when I go into safe mode, I am never even able to get to a cursor.... I get the following:
load of /sbin/mach_init, errno 8, trying /etc/mach_init
load of /etc/mach_init failed errno 2

I know that I should have just stopped using the computer during the updates... I usually do, but I was feeling particulary impatient.

ANy ideas at all on what I can try next?

Thanks
 
Try to 'upgrade' to 10.3 again using the Panther installation CD(s). It will probably just fix the problem. You'll have to reapply all Software Updates afterwards, though.

It seems like your mach_init is faulty by now (should be reinstalled when 'upgrading' to 10.3 again).
 
fryke said:
Try to 'upgrade' to 10.3 again using the Panther installation CD(s). It will probably just fix the problem. You'll have to reapply all Software Updates afterwards, though.

It seems like your mach_init is faulty by now (should be reinstalled when 'upgrading' to 10.3 again).
Click to expand...

it looks as though during the software updates the os was partially or fully upgraded. Therefore, I get a message indicating that osx.3 cannot be installed on this drive as there is a newer version installed.

What should I do. I would really rather not do a reinstall and erase....

thanks
 
I remember there was a command line you had to type in the single user mode (apple+s) which would undo the update so you can try a proper Software Update again. Try search. Eldiablo.. mentioned it.
I am asking myself, if it would be of any help to reset the PRAM:
1. Simultaneously press the Command, Option, P, and R keys at startup.
(Keep your hands on the keys until the third reboot has started.)
2. The machine will reboot the first time and chime.
3. The machine will reboot the second time and chime.
4. The machine will start to reboot the third time and chime.
5. Let go of the keys and allow it to finish booting.
One last thing: upgrading an excisting os always causes some troubles. There were so many posts on weird problems and they were all solved after a fresh new installation. Lot of ppl are not aware how easy it is to backup your preferences and your files so you can easily migrate to a new system.
 
I remember there being certain files you can delete by booting into single-user mode like Zammy-Sam said, but I can't remember which ones and I can't seem to find the link on Apple's Knowledge Base...

You may want to try an Archive and Install, which basically installs a new, fresh system (so you don't have the problems associated with an update installation) but preserves your old System Folder in case you need something out of it. Here's Apple's info on that procedure:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120

Be warned, though... this is similar to fresh installing a system, though, so your preferences, applications and settings may be lost. I've never performed an Archive and Install (I only fresh install), but from reports here on this forum, it works well. You may want to do a search for "Archive Install" on this forum to see others' experiences with it.

Good luck!
 
thanks for the help. I reset the PRAM and still no go. I am in the middle of the archive and install option. I will let you know how it goes. thanks again.
 
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