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Message |
    
Jackie Day
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 219
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 4:52 pm: | 
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This is one of the strangest things ever to happen to me in my 16 years of using Macs. I came home one day and flipped on the computer, and everything was different. When I called up either of the web browsers (Netscape or Explorer), they were both completely different as to their appearance on screen -- they wouldn't fit, images were leaking off screen, the fonts weren't right, on certain websites text was all over the place, etc. -- and one of the browsers (Netscape) wouldn't even run....it crashed over and over and over. Even as I type this, my fonts are all messed up. The rest of the computer is different too - all the fonts on the screen are different sizes, etc. I thought maybe my memory had maxxed out, so I dumped tons of things I don't use anymore, probably about 900 MB worth of stuff, but nothing is any better. This is a four-year-old PowerMac G3. It had one memory upgrade about two years ago (but my now-ex husband did it and I cannot tell how much he added). I was thinking of replacing it at some point with a new Mac. So what I need to know is, is my Mac cooked, or is this a simple problem to fix? And what would have caused it in the first place? Thanks. |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 6038
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 5:06 pm: |
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First, check the disk with your disk utility. If that's ok...
zap the PRAM
if that doesn't work...
do a system reinstall
All how-to is in that 30-page "Troubleshooting" booklet that came with the system. A reinstall is easy and preserves all your data and just reinstalls system parts, like the Finder, etc.
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Jackie Day
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 220
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 5:12 pm: |
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Thanks -- unfortunately, it's been four years and I've moved twice since acquiring the computer, and I have no idea where any of that stuff is. Would I have a disk utility? Can I do a system reinstall without any special stuff? Do I need a disk for that? What's PRAM? I always had built-in tech support in the form of my husband, but he's now my ex...and I'm on my own computerwise. |
monster
Citizen
Username: Monster
Post Number: 66
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 5:43 pm: |
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to reset your PRAM, restart your Mac while holding down the "Command-Option-P-R" keys.
•NOTE• continue holding all four keys down until your Mac has restarted twice, after it has booted you will most likely have to reset some of your settings to get it back the way you want.
If this doesn't work, and Disk Utility doesn't work, take the PRAM battery (looks like a sawed off AA battery, most likely green and white)out of your Mac and get a replacement at Radio Shack, see if that works.
before replacing the battery (but definitly afterwards) you might try pressing the Cuda or PMU button that is located on your motherboard, this is usually a small red or black button that is located near your memory slots (sometimes it is under a small cover), hold this button down for a least 10 seconds.
•remember• Take proper precautionary methods when working inside your case, turn the machine off, unplug everything and then open the case, plug the power cord back in to the wall and touch a metal section of the case (I prefer touching the side of the power supply), this is to insure that static electricity doesn't cause damage, you can then unplug the machine if it makes you feel better.
make sure you are not wearing rings or bracelets.
After you are done, put the computer back together and restart.
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Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 6039
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 5:58 pm: |
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The disk utility in OS9 is under your /utilities directory (which in OS X moved to a folder under /applications). It could also be a corrupt system font problem, which would be fixed with a system reinstall. Just put in your original system disk and start up from the CD by holding down the C key during a reboot. |
monster
Citizen
Username: Monster
Post Number: 67
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, January 3, 2004 - 6:05 pm: |
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and make sure to back up any important data before re-installing.... |
mallory
Citizen
Username: Mallory
Post Number: 16
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, January 4, 2004 - 12:22 pm: |
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Hi - i also have a mac, and was thinking of upgrading to osx. i was told by a mac tech guy that if i did - i would probably have to get a new computer sooner - that the new osx would wear out an older mac(my mac is over 4 years old) couldn't tell you exactly what he said or why (cant remember) but i know he said i would probably need a new mac about a year after upgrading to osx and the software.
also - a mac bible is helpful for troubleshooting |
monster
Citizen
Username: Monster
Post Number: 68
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, January 4, 2004 - 3:20 pm: |
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Mallory, which particular Mac do you want to upgrade?
By using XPostFacto it is possible to install OS X (up to 10.2.8) onto the 7300, 7500, 7600, 8500, 8600, 9500 and 9600, as well as clones that were based on these systems ( I read the other day that someone even got it working on a 6500), it also adds limited support to the original Powerbook G3, the 3400, and the 2400.
There are also processor upgrade cards availabe, I'm thinking of buying the PowerLogix PowerForce G3/900MHz ZIF to upgrade my Blue & White G3 350. I will definitly install Panther on a partition if I do, this card also supports Beige G3.
Granted it's $235 (http://eshop.macsales.com/AddToBasket.cfm?ID=5961&Item=PLGPFZ900),
but I like my B/W and have already put enough money into it to justify the upgrade, not to mention it's the Mac my wife uses and she is starting to complain.
Of course I really want a G5, just can't afford one yet.
Correction, I just checked and there is a version out that offers limited support for 10.3 (Panther), but I wouldn't use it until it's ready for primetime.
Here is a site page that will have most if not all the info you need, or links, on XPostFacto,
http://eshop.macsales.com/OSXCenter/XPostFacto/Framework.cfm?page=XPostFacto3.ht ml
I have to say that OS X "wearing out an older Mac"
is an odd statement, this wasn't someone from CompUSA was it?
Giving new life to an older Mac, is a statement I like better. |
Crazyguggenheim
Citizen
Username: Crazyguggenheim
Post Number: 486
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, January 4, 2004 - 3:32 pm: |
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all "I have to say is that SE X is wearing out an older Mac"....you took the words right out of my mouth monster.
Call me crazy
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steel
Citizen
Username: Steel
Post Number: 401
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, January 4, 2004 - 8:05 pm: |
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Dave and/or Monster:
I've got two G4s and after years of great service from them they have both started
developing freezing problems mostly at start up, (even though they are unconnected to each other).
Replacing the Finder via the system CD seemed to work for one of them but not any more. -It even freezes up when I start from the system CD. (I get the desktop pattern but no icons and a frozen mouse cursor) -Any ideas what could be the root problem, -other likely corrupt files etc? -I will try the PRAM reset etc meanwhile. Thanks! |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3396
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 4, 2004 - 9:01 pm: |
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Hey what is going on here?
I am sure we have past posts that brag how a Apple is the system that never has these types of problems.
NO? or do I need to play with the search tools?
MS Rules!
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.
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Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 6046
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Sunday, January 4, 2004 - 9:33 pm: |
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Steel, it sounds like the Finder problem again because it's the Finder that tells the computer how to draw the desktop (among other functions), so if icons are missing that's the culprit. Warning: you may have to spend 15 minutes fixing it with the mighty effort of putting a CD in the system and rebooting.
George, never be afraid to try something new! |
mallory
Citizen
Username: Mallory
Post Number: 19
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, January 4, 2004 - 9:33 pm: |
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thanks for everyone's input - the "wearning out" is what i got out of the mac tech person at work, while i was trying to get other work done. i cant add much more to it, was only half way paying attention to him while talking to him. i am having no problems with my mac, nor have had any real trouble in the past that rebuilding the desk top, zapping the pram, trashing preferences (not certain ones though) etc. so, disregard the wearing out i mentioned earlier - dont have any additional info to back it up. i will say again, that a mac bible is good to have. mine is old, but still most of it still applies. |
monster
Citizen
Username: Monster
Post Number: 69
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, January 4, 2004 - 10:16 pm: |
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Steel, have you added anything to your Macs recently? Installed the same programs on each, memory?
If you can boot off the CD, replace the Finder and also delete the Finder prefs, I'm assuming you are using OS 9.2.2 or below.
Since you say the problem exists when you try to boot off the CD, this leads me to think that you have a problem other than the Finder. If you have extra RAM installed, try removing it a stick at a time and restarting to see if the problem persists. You state that they are unconnected, they are not sharing any devices at all?
Sometimes problems can occur from peripherals such as printers, scanners, hubs, keyboards, even a mouse or cables.
the CUDA button reset that I mentioned above can also fix some of those strange problems, along with zapping the Pram (or replacing the battery), and rebuilding the desktop, which before OS X I always recommended as a monthly maintenance step.
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Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 6048
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Monday, January 5, 2004 - 12:26 am: |
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I think monster is right. I just heard from someone else having trouble with upgrading to Panther and he was told that it may have something to do with third-party RAM in the system. |
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