Troubleshooting Mac OS X 10.2.6 (#10): Mac OS X install disc will not boot
Troubleshooting Mac OS X 10.2.6 (#10): Mac OS X install disc will not boot
Several readers in the MacFixIt Forums - all (perhaps unrelated) using flat-screen iMacs - are reporting problems booting from the Mac OS X Install Disc since upgrading to Mac OS X 10.2.6.
Reader Robert Shalit writes:
"I have tried every possible restart/start in the book: selecting the CD in System Preferences/Startup Disk, restart with Option key, restart with C key, restart from the Welcome to Mac OS X window/Install icon on the CD, etc."
Zapping the PRAM (by holding down Command-Option-P-R at startup) has been reported to work in some cases, but certainly does appear a consistent solution. Speaking of PRAM, the MacFixIt staff came across this dated document on Adobe's support site about what exactly is contained in PRAM:- validity status of the clock chip
- clock settings (alarm setting, time, date)
- node ID hint for a modem port (9600 baud, 8 data bits, 2 stop bits, no parity) and printer port
- modem port configuration stop bits
- printer port configuration and connection
- printer connection
- monitor colors
- application font number minus 1
- auto-key threshold and rate
- speaker volume
- double-click time
- caret-blink time
- menu blink
- mouse scaling
- preferred system start-up disk
- network setting (network defaults to LocalTalk)
Technically, if one of these status indicators is corrupt or damaged, it can prevent proper Macintosh startup or cause other problems. Again, however, zapping the PRAM has never emerged as a genuine, across-the-board solution for any one troubleshooting issue.
If you are experiencing a similar issue, please let us know at late-breakers@macfixit.com.Resources