Yet another reason to love Amiga OS

[Tenacious]

In the last year or so I've bought a few older Macintosh computers. I liked the build quality and the ergonomics.  One of the first was a Server G3 300MHz.  I tried OSX and hated it, very slow and combersome.  So, I found OS9.2.2 on Ebay and installed that, which, improved the speed but ignored a PCI USB card.  

Tonight, I tried to get this USB card working (months after installing OS9) and DL'ed "USB Card Support" (a driver file & docs archive) from Apple's support site. The archive unpacked well and after being installed, suggested that I restart.  A minute later, an image of a bomb appeared and suggested that I reboot with the extensions turned off, which I did, 7 times.  I still can't get the Mac to restart, even with the OS9 Install CD loaded (in fact, I can't get the CD back out, either)

There is simply no substitute for the elegant simplicity and reliability of an Amiga. It is designed to serve computer users, not be served by them.  I pray that the people developing Amiga OS4 do not "improve" it to be like a Mac or Windows or Linux (with swap files, registries, a Shutdown proceedure, and no integrated ram disk).  Amiga IS the exception, the alternative.  Everything else is a bad copy of their own compitition!

I will quietly step off my soapbox now.

[Wolfe]

It will not boot to a desktop without extensions?

Is the hard drive spinning up?

[Tenacious]

No

Yes

The only difference is the installation of the driver. It gets 45 seconds into the boot and the error bomb pops up.

[voytech]

Ever tried to throw it off??

Just kiddin.. :-D  :-D

But maybe this CD in drive is the problem.. dunno..

[frankb]

It seems to me that your PRAM (Parameter RAM) is fscked. What you need to do is hold down the command (apple) + option + P + R keys simultaneously, and you must do that right after the computer is turned on. Keep holding the keys down. The computer will reboot. Keep holding the keys down for 3 consecutive restarts. After the last restart, immediately let go of all the keys and then hold down the shift key until you see the MacOS splash screen with the text "Extensions Off". This will turn off all extensions (kind of like windows safe mode). Turn off any extensions (such as the apple USB support extension) using the Extension Manager, which is located in Control Panels. Then reboot. It should fix the problem.

If you want to get the cd out, there is a small hole just underneath the cdrom drive. Get a paperclip, straighten it out, and then put the paperclip in the hole. The cdrom drive should open up.

If you want to try to boot from the cd, just hold down the c key right after the computer is turned on.

I hope this helps.

[voytech]

frankb wrote:
(..) hold down the command (apple) + option + P + R keys simultaneously, and you must do that right after the computer is turned on. Keep holding the keys down. The computer will reboot. Keep holding the keys down for 3 consecutive restarts. After the last restart, immediately let go of all the keys and then hold down the shift key until you see the MacOS splash screen(..)

That's why I didn't wanted to have one of those MAC things.. :-)

[Roj]

Reboot three times to get to "safe mode"? :-o

This is either a joke or somebody at Apple has seen Wizard of Oz a few times too many.

[Jope]

Roj wrote:
Reboot three times to get to "safe mode"? :-o

This is either a joke or somebody at Apple has seen Wizard of Oz a few times too many.

Umm no, the three reboots with buttons held down were to clear the messed up PRAM..

A bit like if you have a modern PC and you set your CPU's clockspeed too high in the BIOS setup. It won't boot and will need a reset to factory values. :-)

You can boot a Mac to "safe mode" any time by holding down shift while booting..

[Glaucus]

Here's what you do. Open the case and remove the CD-ROM drive, install it in your Amiga. Power up the Amiga and eject the disc. Take the disk, break it into little pieces and then throw it in the garbage, along with the mac. Problem solved, plus you have a new CD-ROM drive for your Amiga!  :-D

  - Mike

[frankb]

Reboot three times to get to "safe mode"?  

This is either a joke or somebody at Apple has seen Wizard of Oz a few times too many.

You obviously did not read what I wrote too well. Zapping the PRAM just clears the PRAM to its default state. Holding the shift key down is what disables any extensions that are installed under MacOS (pre OS X). This allows the end user to selectively take out extensions that are fscking up the system.

[Roj]

Maybe, but unless there's a major difference between a restart and a reboot, 3 restarts/reboots to get this done seems... well, excessive.

The computer will reboot. Keep holding the keys down for 3 consecutive restarts.

I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm just saying this part of your step-by-steps, while probably necessary (I know next to nothing about Macs) struck me as being a little odd, that's all.

[Jose]

Well, probably not the case here, but one of the problems is that everthing today is supposed to be for people that don't uderstand a thing about computers. With the Amiga you still have to know your way, wich is great IMO.

[frankb]

by Roj on 2003/12/8 2:46:07

Maybe, but unless there's a major difference between a restart and a reboot, 3 restarts/reboots to get this done seems... well, excessive.

All Macs have something called PRAM (Parameter RAM). PRAM stores certain settings required for the Mac to boot, such as the boot device. The system software installed also places information there. If the data is corrupt, no booting will take place, or the system will be very unstable.

The reason for zapping the PRAM (Command+Option+P+R) three times is that it has been in my experience that the more times you do it, the more likely that the PRAM is actually reset.

I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm just saying this part of your step-by-steps, while probably necessary (I know next to nothing about Macs) struck me as being a little odd, that's all.

It might seem strange to a person that is not familiar with the Mac.

There is an Amiga that has it's own "PRAM". The Amiga 3000. It stores SCSI settings and some other info. There is software that allows for manipulation of this specific ram on an A3000.

[Zorro]

Amiga is always the best !!!!

 8-)

[Tenacious]

@ Frankb

Thanks for the insight.  I'll try it tomorrow after work.  Are there other little known key combos for the Mac I should know about?  Restart?  Self destruct? Behave?  I do like this machine, I have been able to network it to the A3000 and DL Mp3s.