imac newbie help please (picture of fault)

[mwain6969]

Hi guys

i have been given an imac (think its the first one) and I am wanting to get it going to let the kids play with

when it starts up i get the grey screen with ? finder folder

so i got a os x 10.5 and tried to install by powering on and holding down c button

but I keep getting this screen

http://flic.kr/p/bK2aCt

any help would be greatly received

 

[Stewart21]

The version of OSX you install is often very specific for Apple computers. You need to find the serial number at least of the iMac, printed on the case somewhere. Then go to the Apple support website and identify your model. It's this url for the UK website http://www.apple.com/uk/support/imac/intel/ if it's an Intel iMac otherwise go to http://www.apple.com/uk/support/imac for other models.

When you've identified your model you can go here to work out which version and build of OSX you need http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159

Stewart

 

[mwain6969]

its a W84*******3

 

[Stewart21]

its a W84160SPQB3

So that looks like a Power Mac G4, yes? If so it looks like OSX 10.5 won't work as it was introduced for Intel iMacs. This page will tell you which OS it will work with. It looks like it originally shipped with OS9. There are variations in the newer versions of OSX it will work with depending on exactly what the spec is

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2191

You need to get hold of one of these older versions of the OS.

Stewart

 

[mwain6969]

no stu , its this 1

http://nation.towergaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/imacg4.jpg

 

[wrinkster22]

no stu , its this 1

http://nation.towergaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/imacg4.jpg

Thats the iMac G4, the second iMac. Depending on when it was manufactured (2002-2004) it could have shipped with several different operating systems.
Boot up your Mac, and then press the >>

 

[CrickettGrrrl]

its a W84160SPQB3

According to everyMac
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac_1.0_15_fp.html

Your G4 2003 iMac WILL accept Leopard 10.5x.

 

[mwain6969]

ok ? does anyone know how to fix the problem in the picture in my original post ?

 

[Stewart21]

ok ? does anyone know how to fix the problem in the picture in my original post ?

Could be one of a number of problems. Try the suggested fixes here http://www.apple.com/uk/support/imac/g4/

 

[mwain6969]

tried most of them , thought someone with more knowledge would be able to narrow it down for me

 

[Stewart21]

tried most of them , thought someone with more knowledge would be able to narrow it down for me

If only it were that easy! However I still think the version of the OS is the problem. The very first message on the screenshot you included says "unable to find driver for this platform "Powermac6,3"" which suggests to me that the machine is not supported by the version of the OS you are using.

If the original discs are missing you could try finding a copy on ebay

Stewart

 

[mwain6969]

cheers stu

will try and get a os x 10.2 panther , i think thats what it came with ?

kind regards mat

 

[Hirakata]

cheers stu

will try and get a os x 10.2 panther , i think thats what it came with ?

kind regards mat

10.2 won't work. According to your screenshot you have the PowerMac6,3 with is the 20 inch iMac. It came with 10.3 or 10.3.1 with means you'll have to install at least one of those. 10.5 should work though. That (10.5.8) is the latest that model will take.

What kind of 10.5 disc are you using? Retail or is it grey?

 

[mwain6969]

its grey

----------

grey 10.4.8 Install Discs

imac g4(usb 2.0)
15-inch 1GHz
Combo Drive
M9285LL/A
2gb ram
200hb hd

 

[Hirakata]

its grey

----------

grey 10.4.8 Install Discs

I think that's your problem. The grey discs are model specific. This model came with 10.3. The 10.4 discs are for another "more recent" model.