Failed OSX Install Caused "can't open" message

[tbohon]

After attempting to install OS/X on a PPC G3 and realizing that it won't work, we installed OS 9.1 from scratch. However, every time I boot the machine I get 3-4 lines of "can't open" messages - nothing else, just "can't open can't open can't open ...". Eventually it drops back into OS 9.1 and boots/operates normally.

In a PC (which is my background) I'd fdisk the Master Boot Record to replace it with the 'pure' backup copy - but don't know if that's doable on a MAC or what to do to make it forget about the aborted OS/X install and only remember the existing 9.1 os.

Any ideas/assistance greatly appreciated. It's obvious that I have a lot to learn as I convert to the Mac platform <g>.

Thanks in advance!

Tom

 

[wardy66]

At which point exactly to the can't open messages appear?

Have you trying zapping the PRAM -- I can't remember the exact key sequence but It should be mentioned somewhere in this or other mac forums

Also, check the control panel &quot;startup disk&quot; setting.

 

[tbohon]

The 'can't open' messages show up on a gray screen before the cursor appears - after a few lines, they disappear, the screen blinks, and it boots into 9.1.

HOWEVER, having said that, I am also unable to 'see' the CD-ROM unless I'm booting from it - so I can't do any installs of any sort other than the O/S. And the O/S install (I dropped back to 8.6 since that's what came on this box originally) won't complete - about 2 minutes into the process I get an unrecoverable disk error - running Disk First Aid shows a garbaged HFS wrapper (?).

I have the box with me - am taking it into my local Apple dealer where I know the tech. We chatted on the phone last night, he's confused and wants to see the box. Seems to think that it could be a couple of things happening at once: CD-ROM flaking out, incomplete OS load and perhaps the Fujitsu 60 Gig disk, even though the Mac can see it all, is causing a problem.

Will post outcome here - probably a couple of days.

Thanks for the input, however - I'm converting from PC to Mac (tired of Micro$oft's hand in my pocket) so every bit of knowledge is extremely helpful.

 

[tbohon]

Just received a call from the shop. They had to do a low level format and scrub the entire drive clean, then reinstall 9.1 on the cleaned disk. They also did some cleaning of the CD-ROM and tested the system out - said it works perfectly. Best guess: something in the aborted OS/X install damaged the file system area of the hard drive, an area NOT overwritten when you choose 'Special' and 'Erase Disk' from the Mac desktop.

Interesting ... learn something new every day, I guess.

Thanks again for the reply!

Tom

 

[bendu]

I had the same issue.
zapped the PRAM for 4 chimes (initial plus 3 by me)
it has booted and rebooted with out the error