imac failing to boot up

[pwburke]

Hi

Can any one HELP

A friend has I Mac g4 But on updating to 10.3.9 the system crashed and on restart the screen shows the apple and spinning disk.

Then the screen turns blue with a flashing line in the top left hand corrner

this very urgernt as there a wedding on the drive that we need 2nite

Thank

Paul

 

[Kyomii]

Reboot the system and see if it boots while holding down the x key on your keyboard - keep the x key pressed in though, it may take a few tries.

 

[pwburke]

Hi tried that but the screen still turns blue. The pointer pops up in the left corner, then a large line starts to flash.
Have also tried to boot in safe mode but with no luck.

 

[Kyomii]

Maybe this link will help

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106464

Additionally, when starting in safe mode, try it a few times:

1. Be sure the computer is shut down.
2. Press the power button.
3. Immediately after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key.
   Tip: The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone but not before.
4. Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple and progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).

 

[pwburke]

Hi

Have already tried the above.

When I try to boot in safe mode I don't get the apple chime is the important.

The gray apple is there along with the spining disc, then the screen turns blue with
the pointer then a large flashing line in the top left hand corner

Also tried booting from install discs while pressing the c key but the same thing happens

Paul

 

[pwburke]

Hi

I managed to get my OS X 10.4 Disks to boot up, but it won't let me installed it

Have booted disk Utility and check the disk with disk repair and I get the following

Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit

So I guess the HD is damaged.

Do you have any idea how I can fixit with out lossing data on the system

Thanks

Paul

 

[Kyomii]

I am not altogether convinced it is the hard drive from what you say.

Have you tried to reset the PRAM and VRAM etc?

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

 

[pwburke]

Thanks It worked

Emac bootup perfectly now

 

[Stanley_Beamish]

Kyomii Rocks!

 

[Kyomii]

Kyomii Rocks!

Why thank you kind Sir!