startup failed
I have the following problem with a Powerbook Wallstreet 266Mhz upgraded to 466Mhz (with Bluechip). On its hard drive (20GB) there exist a partition with MacOS X 10.1.5, a second partition with MacOS 9.2.2 and a Storage partition (without operating system).
A few days ago, I realized that I was unable to boot the computer into MacOS 9. Even the MacOS 9 CD fails! It gives a grey screen, or at the most the startup screen with the message "Welcome to MacOS" and it locks there. And if I choose MacOS 9 (disk partition or boot CD) as startup device, while being in MacOS X, then I am unable to boot into MacOS 9 and I cannot return into MacOS X! Only the MacOS X CD can reboot the computer and it is possible to return into MacOS X partition after reinstallation of MacOS X. All that means of course that Classic is too unable to start. It seems that corruption of the ROM image has occured (is that possible?) or something with open firmware. But clearing the NV RAM does not help. Trying other possible solutions (cmd-opt-p-r, cmd-opt-x-o, resetting the power manager) also gives nothing. Any ideas?
Thanks,
PB
[ 09-20-2002: Message edited by: PB ]</p>
A few days ago, I realized that I was unable to boot the computer into MacOS 9. Even the MacOS 9 CD fails! It gives a grey screen, or at the most the startup screen with the message "Welcome to MacOS" and it locks there. And if I choose MacOS 9 (disk partition or boot CD) as startup device, while being in MacOS X, then I am unable to boot into MacOS 9 and I cannot return into MacOS X! Only the MacOS X CD can reboot the computer and it is possible to return into MacOS X partition after reinstallation of MacOS X. All that means of course that Classic is too unable to start. It seems that corruption of the ROM image has occured (is that possible?) or something with open firmware. But clearing the NV RAM does not help. Trying other possible solutions (cmd-opt-p-r, cmd-opt-x-o, resetting the power manager) also gives nothing. Any ideas?
Thanks,
PB
[ 09-20-2002: Message edited by: PB ]</p>
Comments
As for your OS9 problems, I'd suggest running a disk repair utility on that partition. The OS9 System Folder might somehow be damaged and that could be halting the boot process.
Though, I don't know why your PowerBook wouldn't let you boot from the OS9 CD. THAT is strange.
<strong>If you get stuck and can't get to something that will switch it to boot with your OSX partition, hold the option key while booting. I *think* your PowerBook should be able to do this. If you hold option as it boots, it will take you to a screen that lists your bootable partitions as icons and buttons. Click your Mac OS X partition and then click the right arrow.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Nope. No way. Even before that problem, the option key don't worked like that.
[quote]<strong>
As for your OS9 problems, I'd suggest running a disk repair utility on that partition. The OS9 System Folder might somehow be damaged and that could be halting the boot process.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Disk utility says that the OS 9 partition is OK.
[quote]<strong>
Though, I don't know why your PowerBook wouldn't let you boot from the OS9 CD. THAT is strange.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Right. Very strange. In the very beginning of the problem, I was able to boot once with the DiskWarrior CD which also said that the OS 9 partition is OK. After that, I rebooted once or twice in OS 9 (from the disk partition), and then I lost the ability to start MacOS 9 even from the CD.
(there are some on the OS 10 install disk.)
<strong>a firmware upgrade ?
(there are some on the OS 10 install disk.)</strong><hr></blockquote>
I think there is no firmware upgrade for the Wallstreet. I will check however.
at this point that's probably your only way that will have a good shot of fixing the problem.
<strong>your best bet is to get your machine to boot with any CD. when it does, network it with another machine and do a reinstall of OS9 with the CD in the other machine's drive.
at this point that's probably your only way that will have a good shot of fixing the problem.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I finally managed to boot the computer from the OS 9 CD! To do that, I unplugged it, I removed the battery and I pressed for some seconds the power button (I think that this discharges completely the internal circuitry?). Then, I zeroed the hard drive and I installed OS 9. Choosing the new OS 9 installation as startup disk, gives...guess what? Gray screen! Great, I am trying to reboot again from the OS 9 CD, gray screen again. Double great, what do we do now? Try to reboot from OS X CD, applying first the "discharge" procedure. It works! I installed and booted successfully in OS X, which remains for now as the only working OS for this powerbook. Anyone know what is happening here?
PS: I noticed something very strange while trying to boot, without success, from the OS 9 CD to the new OS 9 installation. The hard drive had been zeroed (so no trace from OS X), however during the boot procedure, the screen flashes showed, for some fractions of the second, the common blue (aqua) color one sees in OS X boot!!! Incredible! Seems like OS X has taken the control (or Jobs announcement for OS X only booting from 2003 reached the ears of this poor powerbook <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> )