IMac disaster HELP needed
Clive Hutchison
Imac at auction. This turned out to be the start of a very frustrating
string of experiences. When I got the machine home the RAM had been
swiped. I replaced the stolen RAM. With new RAM installed the machine
would still not work (at all). Off to the mac fix it people. Today I get
the machine back and when it starts it turns out that it had been
running under adminstration over a network and so if I wanted to use the
machine and configure it to my needs I would need an administration
password.
Knowing that from an auction house this would be a request unlikely to
be even understood much less met I decided to try to install a new suite
of OS 9 software configured for Imac. I made the mistake of choosing the
CD install software as the startup disk instead of just holding down the
C key (which I had already tried) . When I now start up I am caught up
in an endless loop; On start up from the the restore OS9 software CD a
diaglogue box appears asking me to choose a disk to restore on. When I
choose the hard disk of the Imac it tells me that the software
configuration is incompatible. The only other options are restart or
shut down. As the system is running from the CD there is nowhere to
change the start up disk or escape from this situation- the only thing
on the desktop is the open dailogue box - no other menus or controls
available. What do I do now? I need to be able to eject the CD and have
the system start from the hard disk. I also need to be able to get out
from under the admin software if I am going to be able to configure and
use the computer in the way I need. Or should I just take it back to the
repair shop and throw myself on their mercy and get them to try to sort
it out? Or should I just throw off a handy bridge?
Suggestions?
Clive Hutchison
cli...@hotkey.net.eu
Elvis ain't dead, he's just asleep.
Clive, please feel free to let me throw it out for you, I'd be only too
pleased, just bring it over to my place. Oh-well, worth a try.
What you need to do is...
*) Get a straightened paperclip & force-eject the restore CD by inserting
the p/clip into the right hand end of the CD slot, have a look at it,
there should be a little hole at the extreem right edge of the slot. press
the p/clip in there (gently), you just need to touch the electronic eject
mechanism button. Do this as the machine is starting-up, before the chime
if possible.
You should now be able to startup from an iMac Software Install CD by
inserting it & holding down "C" before it gets to the happy-mac icon.
I reccomend formatting the HD first (to be sure your rid of any remote
admin s/ware), then installing to your hearts content.
I hope this helps...
Joe.
In article <3C916C34...@hotkey.net.au>, Clive Hutchison
till
: pleased, just bring it over to my place. Oh-well, worth a try.
No me, give meee!
: What you need to do is...
<snip>
Actually cant you do less? Cant you force eject the cdrom by simply holding down the mouse button on boot?
bah
Jim Scanlon
with a straightened paper clip (just like the old diskette drive) I
would suggest that you try zapping the PRAM (restarting and holding
simultaneously these four keys--command--option---p andr) until the Mac
chimes three times. This will put the machine back to factory default
and start from the internal drive.
Then, as you let go of the four keys, hold down the c key and when you
start from the CD, reformat the HD to get rid of the Administrative
password and install system SW.
Best wishes,
Jim Scanlon
In article <3C916C34...@hotkey.net.au>, Clive Hutchison
<cli...@hotkey.net.au> wrote:
Ribfeast
cli...@hotkey.net.au wrote on 15/3/02 2:35 PM:
Ouch!
To get the CD out, restart with the mouse button held down.