MacMini G4 1,25 won't boot (again).

Hi folks,

I have a problem with my old G4 MacMini wich I use for my mp3's/torrents/webserver.

I was ripping all my audio cd's, when all of a sudden my MacMini froze.
After a reboot I heard a clicking noise coming from the HDD so my conclusion was: dead HDD.

After ordering another 40GB ide HDD, I managed to install Tiger. Everything seem to work fine. But the moment I rebooted, I got this nice gray screen (again) with a logo flashing from a small finder icon to a question mark.

Things I've tried:
- I tried to reboot holding 'C', but that didn't work.
- PRAM reset (holding down the power button when inserting the powercable, and pressing power again). Didn't work.
- I've switched the 3V battery with an old PC motherboard battery (new one underway).

Unfortunatly I don't have a wired Mac keyboard, so I don't have the 'CMD' button (Win keyboard). I do have a bluetooth keyboard, but I assume BT connection is only made when the OS has already started.
(second hand Mac keyboard with wire is underway).

Got any tips for me?

zmttoxics said:

Sounds like the partition table might be wrong. Did you select the "Apple" partition type?

Click to expand...

Yes I did, just like the old HDD wich have run perfectly for years.

zmttoxics said:

On the windows keyboard, the windows key should work in place of a command key.

Click to expand...

Too bad because I've allready tried that. It seems the MacMini won't react to keyboard input at all then....
The 3 leds flash when booting, but capslock does not work after.

Perhaps the battery I've changed is also dead (I don't have a multimeter)
What are the signs of an empty battery?

drewdle said:

The installer might not have set your new drive as the default startup disk, so it might be worth attempting holding down the Option key when you turn it on and selecting the boot partition from the options that appear. Once into OS X, go into Startup Disk and make sure the new drive is the one selected.

Click to expand...

I've tried that, it doesn't seem to respond on the Option key (got a PC keyboard, with Mac signs on de Win keys), or any other key for that matter.
I've literally pushed the CMD+Option+P+R (Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM) for 10 minutes. You should try that, holding the same 4 keys for 10 minutes, lot's of fun.

drewdle said:

Just one more thing that hadn't been suggested, anyways. I suspect it's definitely software and not hardware related as the machine worked/booted fine when you installed OS X. Perhaps try booting again from the installer disc to see what it can see about your HD? Good luck!

Click to expand...

I can't get it booted from the install disc anymore.
It goes straight to the gray screen with the Apple logo, and then it just hangs. I don't hear any HDD activity anymore.

Is it a problem if I try to testrun it with the topcase off?

666sheep said:

OP, have you jumpered your new HDD properly (to Master or simply like original drive was jumpered)?

Click to expand...

Yup just like the old one: no jumpers = Master.

mdavies said:

I had a problem with my G4 not working when the keyboard was plugged into a hub. I'm not sure about Bluetooth, though.

Click to expand...

The keyboard goes straight in the MacMini.

mdavies said:

The ? mark on the folder sounds like it's not picking up the OS on your HD. Try booting up and just letting it sit for awhile to see if it'll pick up the OS

Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm doing just that now. We'll see.

Thanx for the effort guys, I really appreciate it!

Edit:
I've managed to get in Open Firmware (power on and hold the powerbutton after the signal, and after the chimes).
From there I could boot from cd:

boot cd:,\\:tbxi

The gray screen with the Apple logo loads, I see the progress indicator, but then it hangs again.
Booting to HDD in Open Firmware gives the Apple logo screen without a progress indicator, and then it hangs also.
Can I do a hardware test in Open Firmware?

Edit 2:
I ran the extended hardware on partition 4 of the install disc with Open Firmware. All devices passed.

666sheep said:

Last what you can do is nvram reset with OF.
BTW, with power button you've reset PMU not PRAM.

Click to expand...

Tried that, no results.

666sheep said:

Your new HDD has identical jumpers setting as old one? I mean, that it could be different between manufacturers. Seagate could have different setup than Hitachi, for example. In one master will be no jumpers, in another no jumpers will be slave, like in 3.5" HDDs.

Click to expand...

Yes according to the jumper settings sticker, this should be right.

The replacement HDD wasn't a new one, it could be a faulty one.....
(although it passes the hardware test)

Edit:
Another thing, I tried the original HDD yesterday and from there I could boot straight to the install disc. Switched the HDD, tried to boot to the install disc again, hangs.
It seems to be HDD related.

Bought me a 60Gb HDD, installed it and it worked perfectly.

So the replacement HDD was faulty. Ah well, at least I know a lot more of the ins and outs of MacOSX now