Imac - Reinstall?

[Jagard]

I recently received from a friend an IMac computer. It boots up fine but when it gets to the desktop everything freezes (mouse and keyboard). I power it off with the power button and I get a message about improper shutoff or system crash and it I suppose it scans the hard drive ( I know squat about Imacs). During this time I can move the mouse cursor and the keyboard works. However, once it begins to load the desktop, same thing, freezes. I am assuming something is corrupted and the easiest way is to reinstall/restore the system. The biggest problem is that my friend told me she does not have any CD's or disks for any kind and neither do I. The OS is 8.6. Where can I get a cd to reinstall/restore without costing me an arm and a leg? I live in Mesquite, Texas. Thanks to anyone who can help.

 

[jimoblak]

Hold the shift key down while booting. This disables the system extensions (like booting in Windows safe mode). This will at least let you get into looking at the hard drive.

You can look for old system CDs on eBay. You may also want to drop down $100 for the new OSX.

 

[Jagard]

Thanks for the info on the shift key. You suggested purchasing the new OSX. I assume you mean v10 (if there is a later one than that, please let me know). Will the hardware be up to snuff to work with new OS?

Also, I meant to ask last time. When I have just pushed the power button to kill the machine on boot up it tells me next time to use the power key. Please educate me.

 

[Jagard]

Well I held the shift key down and I received an error message. It reads "The Finder could not start up because there was not enough memory available."

Well, I figured out where the memory stick was at and found one which had on the label "PC100-322-620". I guess one is not enough or that particular stick is bad.

If it is not too expensive, I will buy another stick and see if that resolves the problem.

If you have any insight, please let me know.

Thanks for any and all assistance given

from an IBMer trying to Mac around (grin).

 

[jimoblak]

The RAM error may not be a physical RAM problem. System software errors can cause this.

Try running a system CD before investing in RAM you may not need. You can find an OS8.6 - 9.2 system CD on ebay or buy a new 10.2 CD from apple.com.

 

[Jagard]

Thanks so much for your reply. However, I did buy a new stick and like you advised, it may not be a physical RAM problem. It did not resolve the problem. I figured the $34.00 was a better risk than buying the $100 plus for 10.2. I will check on ebay and see if I can get a reasonable cost on a CD for OS8.6 - 9.2 system. It seems that is the only solution left. RDFIG Computer Solutions

http://WWW.RDFIG.NET

TELNET:\\PB.DARKTECH.ORG

 

[macgeneral]

Just two more cents (not necessarily sense) tossed in to the mix....

I would not go to X here. You're a PC guy trying to integrate into a mac environment. I'd go 9.1. You can get the disks on Ebay (cheaper) and use them to reinstal or upgrade the system.

The physical RAm is fine - PC-100 is mac compliant in the machine you mention. However, RAM is a bit more tempramental on X. You may find you need an OS X compliant RAM chip. A hassle, all things considered.

Sounds to me like a system software issue for certain (though nothing's fer certain in this world).

See if you can Cold Boot while holding down the space bar and set the extensions in the extension manager to boot up ONLY OS 8.6 base set. Either way (even if that allows you to fully boot) you'll have defined the issue as a bad extension in the system folder and it will be nearly impossible to determine exactly which one is funky.

macgeneral

 

[jimoblak]

macgeneral issued the order:
I would not go to X here. You're a PC guy trying to integrate into a mac environment. I'd go 9.1. You can get the disks on Ebay (cheaper) and use them to reinstal or upgrade the system.

Why not X? The only reason OSX may not be popular with some Mac users is because so many have invested in pre-OSX software and equipment. If you are new to Mac, and have none of the hang-ups of older applications and equipment, OSX will work fine on an iMac.

It really depends on what one plans to do with the Mac.

 

[macgeneral]

For the record I did preface my comments with the lack of potential (sense). I am a Mac user and I'm absolutely in love with X cause it's so "pretty". I am not, however, the guy that runs out and buys a new HDTV set for $10k because I've got to be the first on the block to own one that color coordinates with my beemer.

That having been said, I suppose, looking at the original post, that this fellow could run 9, X, Linux whatever on this Imac box her has. Doesn't really mater. I find 9.1 to be a fairly staable operaating system. As stable as X? Nope not really but the difference is pretty marginal at this point.

I just think there'd be a bit less pain all the way 'round for this guy to go 9.1. If he likes the thing, go X later aand yippie! Otherwise I'm a bit of a traditionalist and think mastering what is quickly being refered to as the "old" OS might be a bit important.

Just an opinion though and you know what they say about them.

MG

 

[ddicken]

The beauty of OS X is that if you don't like it you can boot up in OS 9, just like OS X isn't even there.

I run scores of iMacs & eMacs with OS X/OS 9 - I just boot them in OS 9. I even use some freeware called Ghost (not the Symantec version)to hide the unused OS X folders. At least you would have OS X, should you ever migrate there!

You an also find good buys on Mac OS CDs by browsing the various Mac magazines and websites.

Good luck,
Dave

 

[Mi1house]

My two bits

I'll have to agree with jimoblack, if this guy is starting from scratch then he would be better suited for OSX. Granted 9.1 is an excellent option, it is dying a slow death as Apple is pushing Jaguar (OSX 10.2) in the front door and 9.x out the back.

I may be oversimplifying the issue here but have you tried to adjust your virtual RAM setting in you mac control panel? You can try to monkey around with that and see what kind of success that will bring you. It can be found at control panels>memory and is near the bottom. Be aware that you'll have to restart after each adjustment. virtual RAM, Jagard, uses portions of your hard drive as a RAM "swap disk". It is slower, but it gets the job done.

 

[GuyMac]

If you're totally new to the Mac, I should also go for OSX. Why investing time to get into OS 9 when Apple doesn't even 'support' it anymore? I'dd like the classic OS and it will reside on my Mac for as long as possible but I now run 99% native in OSX and at first I needed to get to know it cause I'dd like to change things in OS9 to see what happens next but in OSX changing lot of settings is not a good idea, deleting stuff isn't either

 

[Jasen]

If this is the iMac that came with OS 8.6 from the factory, then it's a G3 266 or 333. Personally, I find this too slow for OS X. But that's a personal preference. Some may find it adequate. ________
Remember, you're unique... just like everyone else.