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[FortNinety]

Here's my problem...

So I was just about to install OS X on an old iMac DV (400mhz G3, 128 mb ram... I know, I know) when I went away from the computer. I had just booted off an install disc.

When I came back, it was on the select language screen (which is the very first one) and the disc had stopped spinning. I didn't notice this at first so I just hit the continue button, but no reaction. Realzing that the lack of disc activity, I moved the mouse around to get the machine active. Since it's a slow computer this was taking forever, so I moved the mouse around even more and tapped return a couple more times (yeah, I know that it doesn't do jack, but it was just something to do).

Then a bunch of stuff flashed on screen and then went all blue with just the spinner (not the multi-colored "beachball" but the gray circle) going round and round.

It stayed like this for a while, so I figured I'd unplug the machine and start over (since the installation hadn't really started, I figured there would be no problems). But when I plugged it back in, and hit the power button, the monitor wouldn't come back on! I could hear the machine initializing and everything, but nothing was onscreen! I can even move the mouse around and hear things being clicked, but the screen is totally black!

Am I totally screwed here?

GAF, you are my only hope. Everytime I've asked the GAF and assorted Mac user forums the same questions, you guys end up helping the most (when someone has a question about Office, the last thing he needs to hear is "hey just get iWork, it's kewl dood!"). Many thanks in advance.

 

[COCKLES]

Enjoy your iLife. :lol

 

[Keyser Soze]

This may sound stupid but if you on pluged it out make sure you pushed the plug back in all the way (in the wall socket and on the unit)

 

[fart]

man, that is weird. i'm guessing it's a machine specific thing (they've been going through tons of very basic machine revisions in the last 5 years). have you asked at macfixit? lowendmac? macintouch? also, did you pull the cd out when you rebooted? what OS rev is on the fixed disk? what version are you trying to install?

i'm not 100% familiar with post 604 era machines, so i can't help you past the basics really.

oh, wait.

ok, so it's booting? but the monitor isn't coming on at all?

are you booting off the fixed disk now? or the CD. if you're booting off the fixed disk, my guess is the CRT went out. if that's the case you can try to source a new one (there are a bunch of mac refurbishing companies... shreve systems, if they're still in business; 1800wefixmacs, and uh sun remanufacturing or whatever their name is.

i would recommend just buying a mac mini though.

 

[FortNinety]

Enjoy your iLife. :lol

Hey, fuck you. Though to be totally honest, that was pretty funny.

And sadly true.

 

[FortNinety]

Some else asked if the fiirmware was updated, and I'm not sure. The Mac was bought second hand, but considering it just had OS 9.0 on it, I believe the answer is no. I did update the machine to 9.2.1 before trying to add OS X (10.3 btw fart), but that was via saved updaters on a disc.

 

[fart]

i'm a little surprised panther even agreed to install on the machine. i thought it didn't support crt imacs (only the emac branded ones).

if it's booting at all i'm guessing it's not a firmware issue (although it certainly could be). regardless, it's a little late to update the firmware if you're not getting any signal to the monitor. it doesn't have a video out, right?

oh, also the installer will check firmware rev and update if necessary. one possibility is that you pulled the plug during this operation, which would be bad (but unlikely, i wouldn't bet on it booting if you did that).

 

[gblues]

Ah, the old video firmware bug.

Your video board is fried. There's a bug in the video firmware that OSX triggers that causes the refresh rate to go to some insane level, which burns out the video board. You're going to have to replace the video board, UPDATE THE VIDEO FIRMWARE, and *then* reinstall OSX.

Have fun!

Nathan

 

[fart]

^ :lol

this is why i'm not very familiar with post 604 machines

 

[FortNinety]

Ah, the old video firmware bug.

Your video board is fried. There's a bug in the video firmware that OSX triggers that causes the refresh rate to go to some insane level, which burns out the video board. You're going to have to replace the video board, UPDATE THE VIDEO FIRMWARE, and *then* reinstall OSX.

Have fun!

Nathan

There's a firmware bug? Didn't know this.

Well at least it wasn't me pulling the plug out that caused a problem. Now I feel a tad bit better (yeah I know you're not supposed to do that, but I've done it a million times). Though all this shows is that when doing massive updates, its best to have your system hooked up to the internet to make sure you haven't missed any updates.

And as for your question fart, Panther does work on CRT iMacs. In fact, I used to have the same exact machine, albeit with much more ram, and it ran OS X. Though I got the firmware updates when they first became available.

So... is replacing the video board costly? This was supposed to be a computer for my girlfriend. She doesn't mind paying for a new board since the computer was free (I got it for free from a coworkers). But if it's too much, it sorta defeats the purpose of a free computer.

Anyone know how much replacement will cost?

Thanks for everyone's help btw. And again, the GAF pulls through with answers that no one else has.

 

[FortNinety]

One last thing... I know it's easy to do on a classic Mac, but anyone how one can convert an iMac into a fish tank?

 

[fart]

http://www.macintouch.com/panfirmware.html
http://www.capecodgraphics.com/imac_firmware.htm

 

[FortNinety]

http://www.macintouch.com/panfirmware.html
http://www.capecodgraphics.com/imac_firmware.htm

Interesting... I'm gonna try what they suggest and report what happens. But thanks for the scoop fart!

 

[Macam]

Seems you got your question answered but just for future reference, I highly recommend Ars Technica Mac forum (http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/ubb.x) for additional assistance. Those guys are eerily smart over there and can undoubtedly help you with any future problems or questions.

 

[FortNinety]

Fart, you are the mutherfucking man. Seriously. Your leads worked; got the machine all fixed and now OS X is in the middle of being installed.

I thank you and my girlfriend thanks you!

 

[fart]

don't thank me. thank the user community that's had to deal with this kind of crap for 20 years