[WizOSX]

I have a Beige G3 with a 40gb HD partitioned into 3 partitions--7.9gb, 7.9gb and 22gb. I've been running 10.2.8 perfectly on the first partition for the last 2 weeks. I just decided to install Os9 on the second partition and can no longer boot from the OsX partition. I think what happened is that the Os9 intstaller somehow unmounted the hard drive.

More specifically, here's what I did: in 10.2.8 I set the startup disk to the Os9 install disk (my first mistake, I think). After the machine finished the boot process the Os9 installer couldn't see the hard drive. So I couldn't install Os9 but I also can't set the startup back to the OsX partition in any way that I can see. The Jaguar install CD (disk utility) sees the drive and partitions just fine but wont let me mount them. Anyone got any suggestions?

[pat++]

Reset the PRAM (hold command-option-P-R during boot).

If it's not enough, repair the disk with Disk Utility (boot from OS X CD, and launch it from the Installer menu).

[WizOSX]

Originally posted by pat++
Reset the PRAM (hold command-option-P-R during boot).

If it's not enough, repair the disk with Disk Utility (boot from OS X CD, and launch it from the Installer menu)..

I tried both, no luck. Just the big ole' question mark (no disk) since I didn't put in the CD.

[gorickey]

Hold Option down on a restart and see if you can select your "OS X" System Folder...

[tRr]

Is it a flashing question mark when you start up?

If so here is a bunch of stuff from Apple, and if that's not what happens during startup this page has a bunch more potential solutions.

You can also try when you are booted from the OS 9 CD an application that is probably under a folder called "Utilities" which should be called "Drive Setup". It's basically the equivalent to Mac OS X Disk Utility, and might be able to mount the the drive for you.

[WizOSX]

Originally posted by gorickey
Hold Option down on a restart and see if you can select your "OS X" System Folder...

This calls up Start Manager, but Start Manager was only available on iMacs and newer machines.

[WizOSX]

Originally posted by tRr

You can also try when you are booted from the OS 9 CD an application that is probably under a folder called "Utilities" which should be called "Drive Setup". It's basically the equivalent to Mac OS X Disk Utility, and might be able to mount the the drive for you.

I tried that, but the Os9 disk utility can't see the volumes even though OsX's can.

[dtriska]

I take it you partitioned the hard drive in OS X, and didn't install OS 9 drivers?

I think you'll have to mess around with OpenFirmware to do what clearing the PRAM should have done; that is, reset the selected startup drive. Unfortunately, I don't know how to do this.

[tRr]

Just found this:

http://www.bombich.com/mactips/openfirmware.html

Hopefully this should do it!

[gorickey]

Originally posted by tRr:
Just found this:

http://www.bombich.com/mactips/openfirmware.html

Hopefully this should do it!

Wow, Bombich is amazing...GREAT information...

[WizOSX]

Originally posted by tRr
Just found this:

http://www.bombich.com/mactips/openfirmware.html

Hopefully this should do it!

Amazing that you found that so quickly.

When I started this post I was desperate and hoping for a quick solution. But I decided just to reformat and this time install the Os9 drivers. A pain to reinstall all my software but probably the path of least resistance.

[tRr]

Originally posted by WizOSX:
Amazing that you found that so quickly.

When I started this post I was desperate and hoping for a quick solution. But I decided just to reformat and this time install the Os9 drivers. A pain to reinstall all my software but probably the path of least resistance.

I give the credit all to Google

Glad it looks like you didn't loose any important documents (at least I hope you didn't!) That would be terrible being locked out...