G4 slow to start...need help

[lydiad]

I recently formatted a new hard drive on my G4, reinstalled system 9 from scratch, and when I boot up, I get a ? mark folder. It flashes the question mark about 5 or 6 times, then an "X" appears in the folder, and then I get the smiley face and the system boots up. Any ideas on how to fix this, so that I don't get the ? mark folder any more? It seems to me like it's searching for the system folder.
Thanks.

 

[edesignuk]

Is your Mac trying to start from the network first? (can't remember how you check this in OS9).

 

[Bear]

I can't help you, except for one recommendation.... you should provide some more details so someone can help you.

You need to include the exact version of Mac OS you installed 9? 9.1? 9.2? 9.22?
Also, what type of G4 do you have? What type/size harddisk did you install? These could all have a bearing on the issue. Also, did you leave the old disk in there? And you should check the drive jumpers on all the disks. Apple tends to want CS (Cable Select) set on the disks in the G4 systems. Check Apple's Knowledge base for the disk jumper settings for your particular systems.

 

[lydiad]

Is your Mac trying to start from the network first? (can't remember how you check this in OS9).

No, I have the startup disk selected to the dard disk, not network.

 

[lydiad]

I can't help you, except for one recommendation.... you should provide some more details so someone can help you.

You need to include the exact version of Mac OS you installed 9? 9.1? 9.2? 9.22?
Also, what type of G4 do you have? What type/size harddisk did you install? These could all have a bearing on the issue. Also, did you leave the old disk in there? And you should check the drive jumpers on all the disks. Apple tends to want CS (Cable Select) set on the disks in the G4 systems. Check Apple's Knowledge base for the disk jumper settings for your particular systems.

Thanks for your reply, here is more info: I installed system 9.2, it is a G4 400mz (AGP graphics). No, I removed the old disk, this is a brand new one, 80gb Western Digital EIDE hard drive and the only one in the computer. I set the jumper to the master setting, I am not familiar with what CS is, but I will check Apple's Knowledge base for this info. thanks.

Could it be that the hard drive is not compatible as a master drive?