May be time to consider selling my venerable G4 Yosemite, but I'd like to
ask for your advice first.
My Mac: a Yosemite Rev.1 with Metabox G4/400 upgrade (using XLR8 2.02
software to control it), firmware 1.1f4, OS ROM file version 3.7, OS 9.04,
new IBM 60GXP ATA/100 HD (2 partitions of 5GB and 33GB, using Softraid
2.2.2) and VST Ultratek ATA/66 IDE controller (with most recent firmware
update, v.1.1.2w).
I just recently added the IBM HD and the Ultratek, and updated the firmware
a couple days ago.
Problem:
- Mac won't wake after sleep;
- won't restart using Control+Apple+power;
- restarted using "Triangle" Reset button on front of Yosemite, but I got
the Flashing Question mark; wouldn't recognize System CD when inserted on
the fly and holding down C;
- after a couple of attempts using Triangle Reset, continued getting
Flashing Question mark, ***then Mac booted into Open Firmware. I got the
following on screen:
Mac OS: Boot Failure! (0xF3C481F6)
Mac OS: ROM Checksum Failure!
Apple Powermac 1,1 1.1f4 BootRom, built on 04/09/99
Open Firmware 3.1.1
I then had the option to enter 'mac start-up' or 'mac shut-down' (if I
remember correctly), then press Enter (DOS-like stuff).
I tried start-up, then got a MacOS icon and a different flashing question
mark; I also got a line of code which mentioned the VST Ultratek card and
its firmware.
I then hard-restarted again and, after the flashing question mark, the Open
Firmware page appeared again and I chose shut-down.
I then opened up the Mac, checked if the Zif or RAM or PCI cards might be
loose, then reset the Cuda switch.
I restarted and popped in the System CD, pressed C and the Mac started up
from the CD. Checked the two partitions with Disk First Aid and results were
OK. Tried to select startup disk, but I got a "System Error". I then
restarted and got System Error a couple more times.
I tried restarting with Extensions Off and the Mac would boot from my main
disk, but would freeze up after a few seconds in the Finder.
I shut down again, reset the Cuda switch again; I also switched which port
the HD was connected to on the Ultratek IDE controller. Restarted again, got
the flashing Q mark, quickly popped in the CD, held C and the Mac booted. I
then selected my main disk as the startup disk and rebooted. This time the
Mac booted okay. No freeze up in Finder. I am now working from the main disk
again.
Scary stuff for a non-expert. What's the deal with Open Firmware?!
Anyway, the Mac had failed to wake from sleep a couple weeks ago, prior to
my updating the firmware on the VST card, but I shut down, reset the Cuda
switch and all had been okay till yesterday, a day after updating the
firmware on the VST. Possible connection to the firmware update? The problem
was a lot more serious this time, as I described above.
It's also been extremely hot and humid of late, if that might hurt too.
Advice? I may avoid sleeping the Mac for a few days; could try shutting down
and see if the startup problem occurs again.
In the long run, I have been thinking that it may be time to sell; maybe
pick up a second generation G4 or G4MP, whose prices have started to drop a
bit.
Any help and advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Chris H
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