Mac OS X wont start: You need to restart your computer...

[maximusimo]

Hi,

I have an Apple G4 Dual 2x 450MHz that has dual boot OS 9.2 and OSX 10.3 Panther OSX 10.3 Panther. I usually just use Panther. Ok, I just plugged it into the net today after about 3 or 4 weeks and let the software update run. Now I can't get into my system. All I get at start up is the following message:

You need to restart your computer. Hold down the Power button for several seconds or press the Restart button.....other languages below this.

The only thing is that it keeps happening over and over and I cant get into my system. I am completely stumped about what to do. I have tried presing the PMU button but to no avail.

Sometimes if I let it sit at the message it will go in and looks as if it is gonna start up only to go through the blue status bar and all the service names and do nothing else. It may also say "you cannot log in at this time as there is a problem, please contact your administrator" or something to that effect.


Anyone got any ideas?

 

[jimoblak]

Try removing all external devices from the computer (USB printer, firewire drives, etc.) and boot just the computer.



- - picklefish - -
Why is everyone in this forum responding to me as picklefish?

 

[maximusimo]

I rebooted it with nothing but the monitor plugged in. when I do this it gets to the screent that says :

You need to restart your computer. Hold down the Power button for several seconds or press the Restart button.....

it then goes past this screen and I hold the shift button and looks like loggin in but going through the blue status bar stalling on checking/waiting local disks and then goes on. At the end of the blue status bar it says loading log in screen. I'll plug the keyboard in and press enter and it will go in. Then i will get

"You cannot continue logging in at this time.
There is a problem that prevents you from logging in at this time.Please contact your system administrator"

I will press enter (as the mouse pointer wont move even though the light is on on the mouse saying it has power)

Then a dialog box appears saying

"Your computers clock is set to a date before March 24th 2001. This may cause some applications to behave erratically.
Please use date and time preferences panel to set the clock manually. For more information choose Mac Help frm the help menu."

I then press enter. The desktop background appears but thats as far as it goes. I have left it sitting for an house at this point but still goes no further.