iMac G4 stuck on Grey Startup Screen with ?

[dacoops3]

Was trying to do a factory restore from the OS X disc.

The OS X start up disc is in the disc tray. Rebooted the machine and I am getting a grey screen with a blinking question mark logo. The cd won't eject.

Tried the openware software to eject and the response was "cd can't eject"

Tried rebooting holding down mouse button - no luck

Please help...thank you so much in advance!

 

[teleromeo]

Try reboot holding the 'c' key down.

 

[dacoops3]

Try reboot holding the 'c' key down.

Unfortunately, this didn't seem to work. Is there anything else I can try?

 

[DewGuy1999]

I'm thinking it won't eject the CD, because it's trying to boot from it.

Did you try zapping the PRAM? If not, while booting hold down the Command-Option-P-R keys until you hear the startup chime 3-4 times, then let the keys up and it should continue booting.

 

[dacoops3]

Once again, thank you for the replies. Unfortunately, zapping the PRAM didn't work either? Is there anything else I can try? Thanks again for all of the help!

 

[DewGuy1999]

Once again, thank you for the replies. Unfortunately, zapping the PRAM didn't work either? Is there anything else I can try? Thanks again for all of the help!

If you want to get the disc out you could this method:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9038539

The folder with a question mark at startup means that it can't find a system file to boot from. I don't know why the OS X disc would do that unless it was the wrong one for the iMac.

 

[dacoops3]

Here is where I'm at:

Disc is out via the shaved chopstick gear idea (thanks!). Now i assume i need to reload OS X (?).

I am still getting the grey ? screen and do not have any command from the keyboard. The only way the keyboard is active is booting into the openware.

I rebooted holding down option key and it took me to a blue screen with a curved arrow and a right arrow (plus a small winding clock in upper left). This was the screen I had before I shut it down and rebooted with a loss of command to the cd drive.

Any more help is appreciated...you guys are great. Thanks in advance!

 

[DewGuy1999]

Okay, glad that worked. Can you try this http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1812 and see where it gets you?

 

[teleromeo]

If you have another mac and a firewire cable you can try target mode. Hold the 't' key while starting op, your mac schould act as an external hard disk now.