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TICKET ARCHIVE -> iMac problem HELP!!!

claudiapatx - Jan 15, 2008 - 4:42 am

I purchased a used imac M5521 from a Goodwill. It was donated from the local school. It turns on and all Sez Mac OS 9.2...And then it goes to time needs to be reset message. From there it goes to searching for sever message....from there to a message requesting an admin password, which of course I do not, can not access! Is there anyway to "take back and rescue" this wonderful little machine? I do not have any disks or anything. Am trying to find a os X right now . But I really dont completely understand how to fix it even if I can and do find them. H E L P ! ! !

Serenak - Jan 15, 2008 - 6:48 am

Hello Claudia

thanks for using macosx.com and I will try to assist you.

First things first - Time needs to be reset: This is most likely because the internal PRAM Battery is flat... These can be replaced reasonably easily and not overly expensively on most models.

If you want to find out all you need about your iMac get the free MacTracker here http://mactracker.dreamhosters.com/

The searching for Server could be either that it has a server set to connect at bootup (because lots of schools work that way) or because it is looking for a time server...

Admin Password... well you don't know it and so you can't give it...

Possible things to do "right now" are - Reset the PRAM - start up holding the Apple-Alt-P-R keys and hold them till the iMac chimes a second time... let them go and see what happens... probably no difference, but you never can tell

Start up with all the extensions off - hold the shift key down on restart and keep it that way till you see "extensions off" on the startup splash... This might (and I say might) get you in.

The iMac sounds like it is fine... it doesn't need "fixing" in that sense - just returning to a state that makes it usable.

It is most likely that to do that you will need an OS installer disk - unless you can get into it as is and poke about in the Control Panels and Start Up folders

OS 9 or X will do - without knowing the exact spec and RAM for the Mac it is hard to advise on what OS would be best - if it is capable of running X (all iMacs are - but those with small installed RAM won't or won't do it well without an upgrade to the installed RAM). For most G3s I recommend sticking at 10.3 - though with enough RAM those over 350MHz can run 10.4

The best thing that you can do is probably get hold of some System install Disks and boot from them (hold down the C key when starting) and try to install (avoid doing a wipe and install if you can - otherwise you may find you have a Mac with an OS and nothing else... of course if you get up to 10.3 or 10.4 there are tons and tons of excellent free applications to be had...

Let me know what happens and I will do my best to help you get the little iMac back up and running - after all they are just soo cute those little guys

claudiapatx - Jan 15, 2008 - 5:03 pm

I'm printing out your answer and trying all this right now. I've located someone in Canada with os 9.2 install disks and am working on that! So I'll be back soon and let you know whats happening! Thanks so far BTW!

Serenak - Jan 15, 2008 - 5:14 pm

OK,

try to keep the ticket open - just put in "still waiting for disks" or something or it will close after a bit (72 hrs ?)

anyway in the even it does you can mail me direct on serenakster(at)googlemail(dot)com... have to write it like that to stop the damn spam bots... thank heavens for Spam Sieve...

Good Luck and keep me posted, happy to help for as long as I can/am needed

claudiapatx - Jan 16, 2008 - 6:15 pm

Waiting 4 the os install disks! Hold what you got!

claudiapatx - Jan 19, 2008 - 3:36 pm

Been sick with the flu.Sorry! Still waiting for install disk!

Serenak - Jan 19, 2008 - 3:46 pm

no problem... just keep the ticket alive like this and we will be fine...

TechSupport - Jan 22, 2008 - 5:10 pm

We apologize for not being able to resolve the issue you asked of us. It is the absolute worst case scenario for us to do this. In our review of why this happens, it generally is related to either the particular issue being addressed or frequently, incomplete or incorrect information provided. We hope by moving your request to the public forums that you will be able to get a solution without leaving you empty handed.

Your ticket has been closed with our support team. Your request has just been posted to Mac OS X System & Mac Software and is available for your viewing at:

http://macosx.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297892

Again, thank you for using Macosx.com. We hope you will consider using us again in the future.

Serenak - Jan 22, 2008 - 5:10 pm

it closed... I reopened it

if you closed it just tell me you closed it and close it again