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bsaxton · Apr 14, 2005, 10:09 PM

Ack - what did I do? I was re-vamping my old iMac G3 333 (now 500) - clearing the drive and re-installing the system software. As I was getting it all back going, I installed the software for my wireless USB adapter. I restarted the computer, it would suddenly only do one of two things. If I let it boot on the software in the Machine, it would boot into a black console screen: Welcome to Darwin! Login: - and I could not login. It would not authenticate me (I can get specific wording if needed). So, I figure, no problem, I'll just start over. So I put in the Panther CD, hold down the C key and the computer now shows: Default Catch! [bunch of numbers] and the open firmware prompt. Typing mac-boot does nothing - funny screen with a funny looking folder and bunch of numbers. This is no good. I have already reset the PRAM and NVRAM.

So... what next?

Moose · Apr 14, 2005, 10:18 PM

Try it without the processor upgrade.

discotronic · Apr 14, 2005, 10:54 PM

I had the same problem with the same model iMac once. I reset the PRAM about 20 times in a roll and it finally was able boot up without any problems.

If that doesn't work try what Moose suggested.

bsaxton · Apr 15, 2005, 12:23 AM

Originally Posted by Moose

Try it without the processor upgrade.

The upgrade is on a replacement daughterboard - can't remove it. I'll try the PRAM cycle.

Jasoco · Apr 16, 2005, 10:58 PM

I clicked in here because I am having the same problem, except that I don't have any processor upgrades installed.

I got an iMac G3 333 a while back and ever since I got it, it boots to the firmware screen. Now, I posted about it on MacAddict a while ago and the best I got out of them was to type the following:

Code:
reset-nvram
reset-all

That works... until I reboot again. Then it gives me the messages again.

Anyone know why it's happening? And how to stop it? Or should I just leave it be and retire it forever as it'll be more obsolete on the 29th anyway. I had been using it as a sort of web server for a few months until for some reason it got rebooted. It's just a pain that it can't reboot to the desktop without me having to do something, so I retired it as a server and she's sitting in the basement turned off waiting..