eMac G4 refuses to boot anything but hdd

[dylanvaneaton]

I have a 1.0 GHz ATI eMac G4. I can’t seem to find anything about this one, but what I really want to do is to be able to boot Mac OS 9, as this has been something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I don’t know if there’s anything wrong with my machine, but it originally had a read only CD-ROM drive, which wouldn’t have any cd show up when you hold option except for Linux discs, and then I took it apart and put a DVD-ROM drive in it from an old hp and the only things that it can manage to boot are Linux installs and occasionally a intel installer for Mac OS 10.4 (which obviously instantly kernel panics). Any help with my issue would be appreciated, I’ll include a few pictures of the machine and it’s specs if that helps.

Thanks for any answers!

 

[spyguy10709]

eMac G4/1.0 (ATI) Specs (eMac ATI, M8950LL/A*, PowerMac4,4, A1002, 1955): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the eMac G4/1.0 (ATI). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

Looks like you have the M9252LL/A revision of the machine, meaning you cannot boot into classic. You will, however, be able to install classic environment within OSX!

 

[dylanvaneaton]

Ah, thanks that helps, but it doesn't want to boot anything including mac os 10 install discs that I make, is there anything I could do to fix that?

 

[AphoticD]

You might have some luck with installing Mac OS 9 for Unsupported G4s found at http://www.macos9lives.com/smforum

 

[DearthnVader]

Ah, thanks that helps, but it doesn't want to boot anything including mac os 10 install discs that I make, is there anything I could do to fix that?

Boot into Open Firmware( Command+Opt+O+F )

At the prompt type:

eject cd

Insert your install CD/DVD, wait fo it so spin up and type:

dir cd:,\

If that returns the directory of the files on the CD/DVD, type:

boot cd:,\\:tbxi

If it doesn't return a directory of the files on the CD/DVD, then your drive is faulty or you have an incorrect Master/Slave/Cable Select setup on your ATA Bus.

 

[G4fanboy]

That machine is 9-able with a MacOS ROM from lives!

 

[dylanvaneaton]

Boot into Open Firmware( Command+Opt+O+F )

At the prompt type:

eject cd

Insert your install CD/DVD, wait fo it so spin up and type:

dir cd:,\

If that returns the directory of the files on the CD/DVD, type:

boot cd:,\\:tbxi

If it doesn't return a directory of the files on the CD/DVD, then your drive is faulty or you have an incorrect Master/Slave/Cable Select setup on your ATA Bus.

It shows the dir, but it says “Bootinfo is not compatible”, is that an issue with my cd? I’m currently using a Mac OS 10.1 cd I made and I tried a Mac OS 9.2.2 eMac disc that I also made because I just tried everything that I had.
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That machine is 9-able with a MacOS ROM from lives!

Oh? I didn’t know about that, if I can get anything else to work I’ll definitely be doing that, thanks for the info!

 

[DearthnVader]

It shows the dir, but it says “Bootinfo is not compatible”, is that an issue with my cd? I’m currently using a Mac OS 10.1 cd I made and I tried a Mac OS 9.2.2 eMac disc that I also made because I just tried everything that I had.
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Oh? I didn’t know about that, if I can get anything else to work I’ll definitely be doing that, thanks for the info!

You'll ned Mac OS X 10.2.4 minimum.

 

[G4fanboy]

Mac OS 9.2.2 For Previously Unsupported G4s (G4s that shipped OS X Boot Only)

Mac OS 9.2.2 For Previously Unsupported G4s (G4s that shipped OS X Boot Only)

macos9lives.com

 

[spyguy10709]

It shows the dir, but it says “Bootinfo is not compatible”, is that an issue with my cd? I’m currently using a Mac OS 10.1 cd I made and I tried a Mac OS 9.2.2 eMac disc that I also made because I just tried everything that I had.
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Oh? I didn’t know about that, if I can get anything else to work I’ll definitely be doing that, thanks for the info!

Your machine was May 2003, which was just the very tail end of the native-classic era. MacOS X was beginning to mature, and the 10.2.5 release your mac shipped with is the lowest it will officially support as far as OS X goes.

 

[dylanvaneaton]

Your machine was May 2003, which was just the very tail end of the native-classic era. MacOS X was beginning to mature, and the 10.2.5 release your mac shipped with is the lowest it will officially support as far as OS X goes.

Ah ok, I just couldn’t seem to find any later discs than those two, I’ll burn a couple for 10.3 and others and I’ll see how that goes. Thanks for the help!