[Coco] OT: Ping: Mac users

[James Dessart]

On Wed, 25 Aug 2004, Robert Emery wrote:

> Nope, all I got was the computer itself and a non-working keyboard... before I
> got a keyboard it would show some icons on the grey screen (a mac icon
> alternating with a question mark icon). Now it doesn't even do that.
> 
> I also tried the Command-Option-O-F combination with no change in results.

How patient were you? :) the g4s can be pretty slow in getting to the
openfirmware boot screen, a few seconds (feels like forever when you're in
a hurry).

If you don't even get the question mark (which means it can't find a
bootable disk) then try zapping the PRAM (command-option-p-r) until you
hear the startup sound at least twice. This will reset all the
non-volatile RAM to its factory settings.

> I don't think that's the case since it *was* working fine before I went on my
> little spring-cleaning kick. I'd hate to lose what's on the drive though...
> Final Cut Pro 2 among other things. I guess I could back up the drive before I
> reinstall anything... or maybe add a second HD to install a fresh OS and then
> possibly restore the original desktop? That sounds like it could work to me...
> yes/no?

If you don't even get the OpenFirmware prompt, after zapping the PRAM,
then the machine is most likely dead. And it's not the disk that's the
problem. I'm surprised changing the keyboard stopped the flashing question
mark, because the two are unrelated. A Mac should be able to boot without
a keyboard (mine does, also a G4).

OpenFirmware is like the BIOS on PCs, if it isn't working, then there's
nothing in the world that'll make that machine boot. As Griz suggested, it
may be time to replace the clock battery. Or just zap the PRAM. That may
clear up all your problems.

James