iBook G3 2002 unable to run OS 9(?)

[scottbeebiwan]

This iBook G3 seems to be this specific model (EveryMac) and despite all my efforts the farthest I can get it into the OS9 boot process is a blinking floppy disk.

I say seems to be because either the RAM has been upgraded or I have a different model that has all the same specs except having 256MB RAM shipped with it.

I've tried all I know to do to make it boot into OS9.

1. Use the Mac OS 9 iBook disk from MacintoshGarden with a date close to my OF build date (Refuses to boot, forcing it with OF using Mac OS Boot ROM fails)
   
2. Use the 9.2.2 Universal disk from MacOS9Lives (Same problem as #1)
   
3. Use the Restore Disks from MacintoshGarden that seem to be correct for my hardware (Makes bootable System Folder on hard drive, fails to boot with a blinking question mark)
   

I'm going to also mention it's running OSX 10.3 in case that somehow causes issues.

Anyone have any clue why it won't boot?

Thanks for trying to comprehend the words I have typed, at least partially, because you're reading this sentence.

 

[Franklinstein]

You're sure it's an iBook G3? If it's a legit iBook G3 then I'm not sure what the problem is; it should run OS 9.2 without a problem.

Is the extra RAM soldered or in the expansion slot? If you have 256MB with an empty expansion slot, you're actually using an iBook G4, which won't natively use OS 9. Maybe you could boot OS X and check to see what the model identifier is in System Profiler? The iBook G3 you linked to would report as a PowerBook4,3.

There was a project at Think Classic to build a copy of OS 9 that would run on an iBook G4. You may want to have a look at that if it turns out you're running a G4.

 

[scottbeebiwan]

You're sure it's an iBook G3? If it's a legit iBook G3 then I'm not sure what the problem is; it should run OS 9.2 without a problem.

Is the extra RAM soldered or in the expansion slot? If you have 256MB with an empty expansion slot, you're actually using an iBook G4, which won't natively use OS 9. Maybe you could boot OS X and check to see what the model identifier is in System Profiler? The iBook G3 you linked to would report as a PowerBook4,3.

There was a project at Think Classic to build a copy of OS 9 that would run on an iBook G4. You may want to have a look at that if it turns out you're running a G4.

Yeah, in OF it reports as a PowerBook4,3 and says it has a PowerPC 750 (1.12) CPU in System Profile. Could you tell me where the expansion slot is? I have no idea.

 

[just.in.time]

Based on the Everymac page, this unit will definitely need a special version of 9.2.2 to boot up properly.  However, it looks like you already got it from the garden.

Next, I'd try two things (assuming you still have a "good" system folder for 9.2.2 copied over to the hard drive from the iBook specific discs, open up System Preferences and hop into the Classic panel.  Somewhere in there should be a button to "Rebuild Desktop File" or something like that (going based off memory here).  Then use Startup Disk control panel to select the 9.2.2 folder for startup.

Hopefully that works.  If that works, awesome! If not, reset the PRAM (apple-option-p-r at boot, hold down until you hear the startup chime five times), then hold down option before the display comes back on.  Hopefully a boot option should come up showing OS X and OS 9, and click on 9.

Best of luck!

 

[Franklinstein]

That OF report says you shouldn't have a problem. Maybe it's not liking your boot media? Try holding down Cmd-Option when you turn it on with a boot CD in the drive and if it's recognized it will show up as an option. From there you can click on it and tell it to boot and it should work.

The RAM expansion lives underneath a panel below the AirPort card (if you have one). You have to lift the keyboard to see any of it.

 

[scottbeebiwan]

Based on the Everymac page, this unit will definitely need a special version of 9.2.2 to boot up properly.  However, it looks like you already got it from the garden.

Next, I'd try two things (assuming you still have a "good" system folder for 9.2.2 copied over to the hard drive from the iBook specific discs, open up System Preferences and hop into the Classic panel.  Somewhere in there should be a button to "Rebuild Desktop File" or something like that (going based off memory here).  Then use Startup Disk control panel to select the 9.2.2 folder for startup.

Hopefully that works.  If that works, awesome! If not, reset the PRAM (apple-option-p-r at boot, hold down until you hear the startup chime five times), then hold down option before the display comes back on.  Hopefully a boot option should come up showing OS X and OS 9, and click on 9.

Best of luck!

I rebuilt the desktop file, (Classic>Advanced>Rebuild Desktop File) and reset my PRAM. No luck.

 

[scottbeebiwan]

That OF report says you shouldn't have a problem. Maybe it's not liking your boot media? Try holding down Cmd-Option when you turn it on with a boot CD in the drive and if it's recognized it will show up as an option. From there you can click on it and tell it to boot and it should work.

The RAM expansion lives underneath a panel below the AirPort card (if you have one). You have to lift the keyboard to see any of it.

You'll have to wait a minute, I lost the disc I burnt. By the way, ImgBurn on Windows doesn't somehow cause problems, right?

 

[scottbeebiwan]

That OF report says you shouldn't have a problem. Maybe it's not liking your boot media? Try holding down Cmd-Option when you turn it on with a boot CD in the drive and if it's recognized it will show up as an option. From there you can click on it and tell it to boot and it should work.

The RAM expansion lives underneath a panel below the AirPort card (if you have one). You have to lift the keyboard to see any of it.

That worked! It's booting to the OS9 Install CD! Although, it's really slow, much slower than it should be as it's a 24x CDROM drive.

 

[scottbeebiwan]

Update: "This program cannot run on your computer. See the documentation for more information." when running the Mac OS Install from CD. I have two bootable OS9 install CDs that may work, so i'll try the other one. brb

 

[scottbeebiwan]

The other disk won't boot at all.  :huh:

 

[scottbeebiwan]

I'm going to try using Disk Setup, because I have pretty much no interest in running OS X.

 

[scottbeebiwan]

I'm now booting to the Install CD, clean HD, still refuses to install.

 

[scottbeebiwan]

good news! found a cd that doesnt complain about anything. restoring the hd right now using iBookG391CD_Rest.ZIP.

 

[scottbeebiwan]

uh, it boots, but it's VERY wrong for my specific ibook.

 

[Franklinstein]

uh, it boots, but it's VERY wrong for my specific ibook.

What's wrong with it? Do you not have some drivers loaded? 

 

[scottbeebiwan]

What's wrong with it? Do you not have some drivers loaded? 

Most drivers. I cannot sleep the iBook, sound doesn't work, there's a secondary display in the Monitors CP, errors even starting up (extensions need to be off)...

 

[Franklinstein]

You may want to try to find and download the Mac OS 9.2.2 Update. That may fix the bulk of the base system drivers.

 

[scottbeebiwan]

You may want to try to find and download the Mac OS 9.2.2 Update. That may fix the bulk of the base system drivers.

At this point, i'm more after getting the original install designed for this iBook, as now it boots OS 9 discs without any problems, ever (for some reason)

 

[scottbeebiwan]

i'm happy to report i'm writing this from 9.2.2 on the ibook. i had to use 9.2.2 universal now that it will boot os9 cds.