Macintosh LC III

[CESS02]

I have a Macintosh LC III. Not sure if I am in the right place. Has not been used for awhile. Went to turn it on and a disk with a flashing question mark came up. There is no disk in. When we put one in, it will not do anything. Bear in mind, I am NOT good with computers at all. Just wondering how to fix this.

 

[porter]

The flashing ? at least means it is trying to do something. The floppy disk needs to have System 7 on it.

 

[LCGuy]

A flashing question mark means that the system cannot find a System Folder. Have you been able to start the machine up before? Also, does it sound any different (quieter) than it did last time you had it working successfully? With these older systems, a big problem is that the hard drives die easily, coming to the end of their life expectancy. Anyway, in order to do anything, you'll need a floppy disk with a System Folder on it, which you'll have to make with another Mac, such as the System 7.5 Network Access Disk. Provided the drive is any good, you'll also need a set of system install disks to install a system on there. What other equipment (such as CD-ROM drives) do you have that may make this easier? Also, do you have any other Macs?

Welcome to the forums by the way

 

[CESS02]

Well thank you! I went and found the start up disk and so far there was a so, this must be on the rigth path?

 

[CESS02]

So I put in the install me first disk, then it asks for the install disk and back and forth till finally it says there is not enough memory and to delete things, but I cannot get in to delete!

 

[LCGuy]

If its saying that there's not enough hard drive space, clearly that means the hard drive is working, which makes life easier already. By the sound of it, I'm assuming you have a set of system install disks, so try starting up from the Disk Tools floppy disk, if its an original Apple one, ideally it should say the model of Mac (Macintosh LC III) under where it says Disk Tools. (This is important, since if you're using System 7.1, the LCIII needs a special System Enabler file, System Enabler 003 in order to start up). When you start up from Disk Tools, you should see the icon for the hard drive as well as the floppy disk. Go into the hard drive, and check that:

- There is a System Folder present

- The System Folder is "blessed" (that is, it has a little icon of a Compact Mac inside the folder)

- The System Folder contains the following files: System, Finder, System Enabler 003

If any of those files are missing, or if you don't have a System Folder at all, you should be able to copy the one from the Disk Tools disk. If you do have a System Folder, but it is unblessed, so long as it contains all three files mentioned, and they are not corrupted, you should be able to re-bless it by opening and closing the System Folder.

Once you have checked that all this is in order, restart, and hopefully all should be well.

 

[CESS02]

Ok, this was great! I did all these steps and got in. So, how would I search to see if there is private, personal info on it? When I shut down and restart do I need to use the Disk Tools each time?

 

[CESS02]

I spoke too soon, I went to restart and the question mark face was back.

 

[olePigeon]

Unless you have files you need to keep, what you do is first boot from the Disk Tools disk. Then run Apple HD SC setup. Erase the HDD. Restart (it should eject the floppy), now stick in the first Install disk. Install the System onto the HDD. Reboot when it asks.

Your computer should now boot up on its own without the need of a floppy. If it doesn't, there may be other issues (such as a bad hard disk drive.)

 

[CESS02]

Stupid question here...when you say boot from Disk Tools, do you mean have the computer off and then turn it on with the Disk Tools in?

 

[JRL]

That'll work, but you can also turn it on and shortly put in the Disk Tools disk a bit after.

 

[Bunsen]

put in the Disk Tools disk a bit after.

When the flashing ? comes up.

 

[olePigeon]

Yes, that will do. Either way will work. To make it simple, put in the floppy before you turn on the computer.

1. Put Disk Tools floppy in computer

2. Turn on computer

3. Let it boot to the desktop

4. Open the floppy icon, then launch the Apple HD SC Setup application

5. It should automatically find the hard disk drive, then click "Initialize" (this may take several minutes.)

6. Shut down the computer via the Special menu (the Disk Tools floppy should automatically eject.)

7. Remove the Disk Tools, and put the Install floppy disk into the computer

8. Turn on the computer

9. Follow on screen directions to install the software.

10. Restart when prompted.

You should be good to go after that.

 

[CESS02]

Thank you!!! I think its working. Wow, amazing stuff!!!