My computer is in a coma

Shadow WarChief · Post by **Shadow WarChief** » 2004-07-31 08:33pm

My computer (Mac G3)...has entered some odd coma of sorts. I can turn it on, but as soon as the first start up screen comes up, a little question mark just flashes on and off in the center of the screen and the startup sequence goes no further. I've checked and double checked all my connections, so could someone please tell me just what the hell I'm suppose to do to resuscitate my comp?

And no, I can't call tech support. From what I understand, Macintosh doesn't have tech support on the weekends. So for the moment, you guys are all I have.

Help me SD.net. You're my only hope.

*I'm typing this from my laptop btw*

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2004-07-31 09:02pm

Apple has tech support 24/7, IIRC, but you have to pay for it. However, your support contract for the G3 is almost certainly gone.

The blinking question mark means that it cannot find a boot device. It may be a sign that your HD is toast. Try booting off the OS 9 CD and see if your hard drive shows up.

Shadow WarChief · Post by **Shadow WarChief** » 2004-07-31 10:11pm

phongn wrote:
Try booting off the OS 9 CD and see if your hard drive shows up.

Forgive my complete ignorance, but what exactly would the OS 9 CD be and how is booting off different from booting up?

Like I said, "my complete ignorance"

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2004-07-31 10:48pm

The OS 9 CD should be the CD-ROM containing the install files to your operating system. Booting off of it simply means that you load the operating system from the CD-ROM instead of the hard drive inside the computer.