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General discussion

iMac G3 wont boot to the OS

by RaeAtkinson Dec 16, 2005 7:15AM PST

Hi guys! I have an older iMac G3 with a 450 mHz processor, 256 mb RAM and a 20 gb HD running Panther. I was just getting ready to give it to a friend when I went to boot it up and I got that grey screen with a purple folder in the middle with the mac face turning into a question mark. Now, I tried zapping the PRAM and that did not help. Funny thing is, it was working fine two days ago. Any help or advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks...Happy

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5 Posts
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The system cannot find a valid System Folder
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Dec 16, 2005 9:48AM PST

In this case, Zapping the PRAM is just an exercise for the fingers.

There are a number of possibilities and solutions.
Boot from the OS X installatiion disk and run Disk Utility to see if it "sees" the HD. If it does not, move on down the list.
If it does, run the repair section to see if it fixes it, if it doesn't, move on down the list.
If it does, pat yourself on the back and save the list for another time.

1. The HD has crashed and is no longer rotating
2. The Directories on the HD are so bad that the system cannot figure out where stuff is.
3. The system folder has become corrupt
Remedies:

1. Replace the HD and reinstall the OS.
2. Run Disk Warrior to see if if finds the HD and can rebuild the Directories
3. Replace the OS with an Archive and Install

P

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Thanks
by RaeAtkinson Dec 16, 2005 10:53AM PST

I appreciate your advice and will certainly try the steps. Thanks for the fast and detailed answer.
Rachyl

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oh just a quick question
by RaeAtkinson Dec 16, 2005 10:58AM PST

if it is the directories that are bad, how did that happen? and if its the system folders that are corrupt, how did that happen? Sad
Thanks

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As the wisest man in the world once said
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Dec 16, 2005 10:12PM PST

**** happens.
Directories become corrupt, little by little, when files are moved, stuff is trashed, programs freeze and are forced to quit, Power failures resulting in drastic shut downs, just plain old wear and tear. Sometimes it will never happen to you in the life of a drive.
The same sort of thing happens to the System, it gets a little bent from incorrect shut downs and other things, cannot repair itself completely and get progressively worse.

There is nothing you do to prevent directories from changing, it is a constant event, but Disk Warrior can monitor for you and advise if the directories are close to an unstable state and then fix them.

P

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Thanks
by RaeAtkinson Dec 17, 2005 1:14AM PST

I appreciate the explanation. I am certainly going to run Disk Warrior and see whats up. I hope to get this iMac up and running again soon.
Happy

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