Re: Mac start-up help

In article <1143835656.154161.291700@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Links.Mistress@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

When I boot it, it says:

OpenFirmware 3.1.1 (to continue booting, type "mac-boot", to shut down,

type, "shut-down")
When I type in mac-boot, a gray screen comes up and a folder with the
mac logo keeps switching from that to, "?"
Then the other gray screen comes up and the wheel keeps spinning.

This may indicate a number of problems. In order from least complicated
to most complicated:

1. Booting into Open Firmware often indicates a problem with some gadget
or device (usually, but not always, a USB device). Even a bad mouse can
cause this. Disconnect all your devices--everything, including external
hard disks, even your keyboard and mouse--and start the computer. Does
it work then? Does it finish booting? Does it still start in Open
Firmware?

2. Get the Install CD and boot from the CD by holding down the C key on
the keyboard. When the installer comes up, look under the menus for Disk
Utility. In Disk Utility, repair your hard drive. Does it report any
errors? Does it boot then? Does Disk Utility show the drive SMART status
as "verified" or "failing"?

3. Boot from your Install CD and re-install your operating system using
the "Archive and Install" option. (This will NOT erase any of your data
or remove any of your programs; you're safe.) Does that help?

4. Run a commercial disk repair program like DiskWarrior. Does that help?

5. Use your Apple Hardware Test CD that came with the computer. Does
that show any problems? Does it pass both the standard and extended
tests? Does it show any error codes? If it shows errors, what are they?

--
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