The /etc/ directory is part of a Linux OS, but I am unsure whether it is also created in Mac OS X. If Linux is indeed installed on it, I wouldn't have put it past the previous owner to retrofit the thing with the panels from a strawberry iMac.
Anyway, what kind of games is she thinking of? You'll probably want to check the system requirements on those games to see if they'll run on Macs (check specifically for the words "Mac OS" and "PowerPC"). A simple test to see if it will run is to download Ubuntu 8.04 (Google it, make sure to put PowerPC in that search), burn the ISO file to a CD on a PC, then try to boot off it by putting the disc in the drive and holding the C button when you turn it on. If it boots, you've got a working system that just needs a new OS. Should be pretty simple to find Mac OS X 10.2 or .3 (Jaguar and Panther) on eBay. Austin Leeds On Sep 6, 2:44 pm, Robert MacLeay <[email protected]> wrote: > The information you gave is self-contradictory. > > Model M5521 was not introduced until 2001. > The 1998 model came in blue only. > There were a couple of reddish-colored iMacs, but they are neither of > the previous models. > > Information on various Mac models can be found at either of the two > sites:www.everymac.comwww.mactracker.ca > > But to get to your real problem, the path name you provide does not > make sense. I would guess that your daughter's computer was set up as > part of a network, and either: it cannot connect, and is getting real > confused; or the machine's internal drive has been partially wiped. > > The best course of action on acquiring any used computer is to wipe it > clean and reinstall the operating system. This will require the > original operating system CD (these machines are too old for DVDs), > but until you know what model you have, you do not know what to ask > for. > > Try this; it might help: reboot the machine, and as soon as you hear > the chime, press and hold the shift key. Keep it pressed until things > start to happen onscreen. > Report back to us on what happens afterward. This is an old and slow > computer, and rebooting in this mode may take several minutes. > > On Sep 2, 10:58 pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > She bought an old iMac at a garage sale because it was pink. It is an > > older model. The Family number is M5521 and the date 1998. > > > When it powers up, the following message is displayed" > > > /etc/master.password: No such file or directory > > -sh-2.05b# -- You received this message because you are a member of the iMac Group, a group for those using Apple iMacs and eMacs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To leave this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/imaclist
