Flashing ? on startup

[sdc]

Problem on G4 dual, I changed startup in preferences to os9, but now havea flashing question mark on the screen and the computer will not start. I have tried rebooting while holding down, alt/command/c/d/x but none of these have helped. anyone help please thanks sdc

[alc6379]

Try Cmd Option P R. That should Zap the PRAM on your system, and set it back to defaults.

The problem is that for some reason, the system isn't finding your OS 9 system folder.

[sdc]

Try Cmd Option P R. That should Zap the PRAM on your system, and set it back to defaults.

The problem is that for some reason, the system isn't finding your OS 9 system folder.

thanks but which is the cmd option key please

[Puckdropper]

"cmd" or "command" is mac-user speak for "Apple". (The command key is where the PC ALT key is. Option is right next to it, farther away from the space bar.)

[kc0arf]

Hello,

Yup. The key either has a Apple on it, or a very fancy # but loopy, like calligraphy. Or, like mine, the symbols worn off due to excessive thumb use.

Christian

[sdc]

thanks a lot, i have tried that but still have flashing ?. what do i do now dc

[kc0arf]

Hmm.

Your mac is not finding a startup disk. Do you have a bootable CD-ROM or floppy that you can use? You may need to boot into that OS, and then "bless" your OS 9 system folder by opening it and closing it a few times.

Under OS 9, folders look like folders. (gee, that made a lot of sense) If your System folder appears like a normal folder, then it is not "blessed". Blessed System folders have a little Mac symbol inside them, making them special. A volume will not boot properly if the folder is not told it is special.

Sometimes, I would fix this by dragging the FINDER program out of the System folder, and then dragging it back in. That would cause the blessing.

Christian

[hexstar]

Problem on G4 dual, I changed startup in preferences to os9, but now havea flashing question mark on the screen and the computer will not start. I have tried rebooting while holding down, alt/command/c/d/x but none of these have helped. anyone help please thanks sdc

this is a known problem is you've installed both MacOS X and 9 on the same partition, to avoid this problem in the future reinstall MacOS 9 on a seperate partition once you've booted back to MacOS X