Two PowerBook G3s with two different problems—what's the deal?

[rm5]

I just got two PowerBook G3s for free, and I figured I'd try to get at least one working, but they both have different problems, and I can't quite figure out what the deal is. I don't know much about PowerPC Macs, so I apologize if I'm asking obvious questions. They were both sold completely as-is and untested.

One G3 is a 333 MHz model with 64 MB of RAM and no hard drive. The other one is a 400 MHz with 64 MB of RAM and a 10 GB hard drive. Let's call them G3 #1 and G3 #2. I have a set of Panther installation CDs that I've been trying with. Also, they are not the same model—the ports on the back of the 333 are slightly different than those on the 400.

The issue with G3 #1: Because it has no hard drive, it shows the flashing folder/Finder icon when it starts up. However, when I try inserting the installation CD, nothing happens. I can't even get into the boot picker. This one does chime, however.

The issue with G3 #2: This one has a hard drive, which I can hear spin up when I hit the power button. It starts to boot into some macOS installation (idk what version, I just know it's trying to boot), but hangs and gets stuck in a boot loop. On this G3, I can access the boot picker, and the CD is detected, but I can't move the cursor at all. I even tried a USB mouse, but that didn't work either. Also, this one doesn't chime, and the screen flickers on and off once before it starts to (attempt to) boot.

Any ideas what's going on with these two machines? Are they completely broken, or is there a way to fix either (or both) of them? Again, I'm not at all familiar with PowerPC Macs, so any help would be greatly appreciated. If you need more info, let me know. Thanks!!

EDIT: G3 #1 also doesnt have a battery

 

[theMarble]

Given what you mentioned throughout your post, I'm going to assume that G3 #1/333MHz is a Lombard, while the 400MHz/G3 #2 is a Pismo. The Pismo is the best revision of the PowerBook G3 as it was the fastest model ever produced, plus has dual FireWire 400 ports, compared to none on the previous models.

G3 #1 - The reason why you could not get into the boot picker is because there is no option boot picker on this model. However, there is a makeshift boot picker menu if you go into Open Firmware (hold Cmd+Opt+O+F on boot) and type "multi-boot". Do note that this boot picker is extremely buggy, does not recognise any USB disks and sometimes doesn't even load.

G3 #2 - I would first try resetting the PRAM by holding Cmd+Opt+P+R and see if that does anything. The mouse should be working in the boot picker. I would also try removing the hard drive (IIRC that is just a flick of a latch on the G3 PowerBooks).

 

[rm5]

Thanks so much, @theMarble!! I got #1 to boot into the Open Firmware boot picker, and it booted into an OS 9 disc. However, #2 still has the same issue, even after disconnecting the PRAM battery, hard drive, and resetting the PRAM again.

 

[theMarble]

However, #2 still has the same issue, even after disconnecting the PRAM battery, hard drive, and resetting the PRAM again.

So does it just freeze up completely as soon as you turn it on, or does the freezing start at a certain point? (eg: opening the boot picker)