On Jan 24, 2009, at 12:12 AM, tonycd wrote:
> > Hi. (Deep breaths.) > > I have just received my G4 upgrade card (single 1.6 GHz 7447) from > OWC. > > As the first step in failing to install it, I have utterly paralyzed > my perfectly good Quicksilver 867 before either installing or removing > a single item of hardware. > > The first step of the instruction book calls for reflashing the boot > ROM up to version 4.2.8. This is already where it starts to get > confusing, because the instructions are unclear on whether a > Quicksilver needs this step. > > First, I tried using the provided firmware-updater CD in conjunction > with the tiny "programmer's button" on the face of my machine. The > button didn't work as the instructions suggested it would -- in fact, > it had no apparent effect on startup whatsoever. > > I then tried starting at the second step of the instructions: booting > into the firmware updater CD. I was able to do this, but the updater's > text-only screen said it couldn't reflash, and shut the machine down. > It appeared only the boot ROM installation would make the firmware > upgrade installable. > > I checked my machine for my current boot ROM (earlier); it was 4.2.5 > followed by a single letter (i?). I downloaded the ROM installer from > the specified Apple URL, but found it only worked in OS 9. (I have > Tiger and Classic 9.2.2.) I switched Startup Mode into 9.2.2, > restarted and got the flashing question mark. This paragraph details where all the problems are (probably). There ARE installers for at least some of the PCI Mac's that will run under "X". Look closer on Apple's download site. But Running under OS9 should also work IF you will use OS9 --- You didn't. When you switched 'Startup mode', what you got, was OS "X", starting in "Classic". That won't work. What happens with starting while holding the 'Alt/Option' key? If an OS9 option shows up, choosing that will get you a genuine OS9 startup, otherwise you will need to either use an OSX capable 'ROM Flasher', or locate an OS9 install CD to boot from. Another possible way for you to go, a MULTI 'Chime' PRAM Reset. PRAM Reset = "Command (Apple key), Option, "P", & "R" keys pressed through the power up routine. ['through through power up routine' = till the 'chime' sounds] Multi 'Chime' = hold through three or more 'chimes' This will clear the PRAM 'Boot location' information, the system will then go through it's 'when all else fails' 'boot location search', which will look for an OS9 system to boot from. [May take a Looong time, possibly 10 or 20 minutes I've heard. If you again get the 'Flashing Question Mark', you DON'T have a bootable OS9 system available. HTH Chuck D. > > Thinking the CD might be a complication, I tried to remove it and > couldn't. I popped the case, disconnected its ATA cable, pushed the > reset, tried again and still got the flashing ?. (The Quicksilver > case, of course, is ingeniously designed so you can't simply push the > CD drive's button to get the disc out without complete disassembly of > the case. I love fashion.) > > I then tried to hook up the external FireWire drive I had just CC- > Cloned my entire hard drive contents onto. I hit the power button, > held down the T key, and this time, the machine simply shut itself off > after about 5 seconds. Then I tried the same drill I'd used to disable > the CD drive, except on the internal hard drive, to force it to the > system on the FireWire drive. No soap there either. > > I now have: > •A CD stuck in the drive, > •a flashing question mark, > •a Startup Items preference set to 9.2.2 that I can't access in order > to change, > •no new boot ROM, > •no updated firmware, > •no new processor, > •and no Mac (except the borrowed one on which I'm typing this post). > > Heeeelllllpppp! > > Yours in absolute exasperation, > Tony > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed Low End Mac's G3-5 List, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to g3-5-list-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list?hl=en Low End Mac RSS feed at feed://lowendmac.com/feed.xml -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
