Format HD

[bluewhaleCA]

Hello. I'm helping a friend with a couple of Macintosh LC 520's. One of them crashes ( locks ) every time, different applications, no comon cause noted. As these were just given to their daycare center they have no idea how they had been operating prior to receiving them.

I had thought to wipe the hard drive then install the OS: 7.53 appears to be the highest level they were given. The trouble is that I've only done this ... PERHAPS half a dozen times, the most recent 6 or more years ago. I am unable to get the system CD1 to stay in the CD Bay until the OS is fully up and running.

Could someone point me toward instructions on completely formating the HD and installing the OS again, or possibly tell me how to go about it?

Thank You in advance for your time.


Paul

 

[PTmon]

Put in the system cd, hold down the "C" key and restart, keep the key depressed until you see the happy mac face. It should boot from the cd. THen you can reformat the hard drive and reinstall the system software and any applications that came with it.
Best of luck,
PT

http://mahon.homeip.net/remember

 

[jimoblak]

Just a note about this model of computer: The LC series is very old and will not support the newer OSs. It is risky to attempt OS8 or newer. Unless you already have applications suited for the daycare center, it may be nearly impossible to find software for this old of a computer. Some computers are just too old to work with, even if they are freebies. The amount of time it takes to maintain old computers may be too costly.

- - picklefish - -

 

[bluewhaleCA]

Thanks PT, will try tonight.
And Picklefish, good to know. However they came with multiple apps and OS 7.53... one of the FEW ( d,rlh ) reasons to own a MAC. MAC owners keep their old stuff MUCH longer than PC owners. 10 years ago when I had a small business PC/LAN repair company a friend dealt in MAC's. He made good money reselling old hardware and software for MAC's. Many have tried that for PC's but none in this area have ever made a money doing so.

Thanks Again for the help.

Paul

 

[bluewhaleCA]

PT:

When I boot the system, then place the MAC OS 7.53 CD in it will read it and show the folders on the CD, however it also pops the ^$@$&~*! CD out a quarter inch... Do Mac's read the CD and place it in virtual memory for access?
Was the key you mentioned the letter 'c' ? Have tried that half a dozen times both with the CD in and not, and each time the system boots up to the installed OS. Any thoughts on what I'm doing incorrectly?

Thanks!

Paul

 

[PTmon]

Weird, it shouldn't be ejecting the cd, as it should be booting from it! Okay, try going to the apple menu-->control panel-->startup disk. Select the cd as your startup disk and reboot. See if that does it for ya. ISsthe system cd you have a generic one or is it specifically for that model of computer? (It may need some machine specific enablers to boot, or a newer system which would have them built in.) Once you do get 7.5.3 installed, go to apple's web site and get the 7.5.5 update, it fixes a bunch of things and will make internet connections easier through open transport.

http://www.info.apple.com/support/oldersoftwarelist.html

Just re-read your post. Make sure the cd is IN. Press and hold the "C" key on the keyboard and then boot the machine, holding the "C" key down until you get the smiley face.
PT

http://mahon.homeip.net/remember

 

[bluewhaleCA]

ok, will try tonight.
say: can MAC's use IP? Or are they restricted to Appletalk? If so, can you point to a URL with a ' how-to ' on getting an MAC to route through a common Linksys home router so that I migth update the unit?

Paul

 

[bluewhaleCA]

I may be missing the point.
When I hold the letter C down and restart, or when I go to the Apple Icon then to Start Disk and choose the CD, it reboots bringing up a folder with the contents of the CD. I was expecting it to start the format/reinstall procedure. Do I have to manually run a program once rebooted to the CD? ( when booted to the CD it still shows the hard drive icon: is that a clue of some sort? )

Thank You

Paul

 

[jimbopalmer]

the Mac OS CD has a Utilities folder, Drive Setup is in there I formats the drive

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[PTmon]

Jimbopalmer is correct, you need to run drive set-up to reformat, and then manually launch the system installer. It does not auto-run like youre PC would if you booted with a windows cd in the drive.

PT

http://mahon.homeip.net/remember

 

[bluewhaleCA]

DAG Nabit hard to use MAC's!!!

<BG>