Looks like a memory problem, try to use the memory on the other machine and your original hard drive (is the HD already formatted, and do you install the system software?, if so, then the machine most start up.
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iMac blinking question mark...
Hi! I am having serious trouble with a G3/350 iMac at work.
It was running OS 9.2 fine until the other day. According to a coworker, it suddenly became unable to open any programs or do much of anything. Now, on startup, it flashes the question mark alternating with a happy Mac.
Here's what I've done so far that hasn't worked:
Started up from a system CD. It recognizes the OS 10 CD, but not 9.04 or 8.6 (We don't have 9.2 CDs). I installed System 10 but it was pretty useless once I got to the desktop, since everything we have is Classic-compatible and the Classic environment won't start up.
Run Disk Doctor. According to DD, the drive's fine.
Run Apple Hardware Test CD. Ditto.
Swapped hard drives. I put the iMac's hard drive into another iMac, wiped it and reinstalled System 9.04, and it worked just fine. Put it back in the old machine only to see that it didn't affect a thing.
Checked all the internal connections. Nada.
We just got this computer (used) and can't afford to get another one. Any ideas would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks so much.
Susanna
Arlington, Va.
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Answers
You might try replacing the PRAM battery, the mac is not finding the system folder. Part of the bootstrap in in hardware ROM and PRAM. This link has a picture at the bottom that shows the battery. You can get them at radio shack. You may try to 'zap' the PRAM first, the directions are also on this page. When ever I get a 'new' mac (new to me at least) this is the first thing that I do -- replace the battery. Hope this helps!;)
It is very strange that it will work with os x, but not even recognise the others. It should at least boot from the CD. I have found a couple articles on the apple site that might help.
http://docs.info.apple.com
http://docs.info.apple.com
http://docs.info.apple.com
http://docs.info.apple.com
http://docs.info.apple.com
When you loaded 9 on the other mac, did you put the drive in as the primary drive or as a secondary? If the hard drive is not in the imac, will it boot from the CD? If it does, put it in the other mac and initialize it (you can do this with the os x cd, but make sure to check the box for os 9 drivers) and put it back in the imac and try to boot from the CD and install. If you got the os 9 CD with the osx, it may not be a bootable CD. The only other option I can think of that has helped a couple of times is to remove the PRAM battery and unplug the power. Leave it this way for a few hours and them put the battery back in and try again. Since the drive works in the other imac, the drive doesn't seem like it is the problem, at least physically. The mac is looking for the system folder and not recognising the system folder, the battery removal may wipe any corrupt data. If all this fails to work, you may have to take it to a shop.
Just some idea,
1) have you try to update ROM or firmware
2) If you have a scsi card , try removing it and restart..
3) reinstall system 9 and-or remake it the system ...
-Make a new folder
-open your system folder
-drag out the system file
- Take all the rest of the files and move it to the new folder
- reput the system file in the new folder with all his friend
that make the folder icon chage, and mac remember that is the system
4) press the little on board cua button for 10 secont to reset everything..
5) the all the system with a apple test cd that come with the mac
6) pray (:-)
hope it help !
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by: weedPosted on 2003-05-04 at 08:44:25ID: 8455527
It'll boot from OS X but not from 9? Once you install 9.04 on that drive via the other iMac, immediately update it to 9.2.2. The updates are free. It may just be a ROM issue.