[tarassg]

A family member bought a new mac and i help myself upgrading my current old 700Mhz G3 ibook to latest OS (panther) using the installation disc.

All the upgrading are been performed but upon logged in again, my finder isn't running. Other applications on my dock are running fine. I tried the disk repair using installation disc on startup. The repair is okay.

Starting up from classic OS is no problem apart that most applications need OSx to opend. The finder in classic is working fine and all my important files are intact.
Should have backup before upgrading OS.

My apple care has expired and forking out extra cash is last resort cos i'm an poor undergrad. What can i do to restart my finder. Reformat is last resort cos have not backup my file and i don't how do perform a backup. Can any one pls help?

Suspect an corrupted finder plist. Had sent it to trash via classic OS. No avail. Checked the startup item, apart from norton stuffs-firewall etc, there's nothing corrupt to suspect. Any other advises?

[Appleman]

While being in OS 9 the OS X is quite vulnerable: you can trash quite a lot, things can be done which are normally protected by the permission scheme in OS X, so be carefull and know what you do.

Repairing permissions in OS X could be a help for you.
I always do recommend DiskWarrior which can repair what others often can't. It's not freeware though. It's a must have in my opinion though.

Then you can start up with several options:
1. save mode: from the Mac Help:

Starting up in Safe Mode
During some troubleshooting procedures, you may need to start up in Safe Mode (also called a Safe Boot). In Safe Mode, only required items in the Startup Items and Extensions folders are loaded.
Note: This procedure requires you to turn off your computer. You may want to print this page for reference.
Shut down the computer.
Press the Power button.
Immediately after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key.
Release the Shift key when the spinning progress indicator appears below the gray apple on the screen.
Some features or applications may not work in Safe Mode, and startup may take longer than usual. You should only use Safe Mode if you need to troubleshoot a problem starting up your computer.
To leave Safe Mode, restart the computer normally.

2. Starting up in single-user mode: from the Mac Help:
Starting up in single-user mode

If you want to troubleshoot the startup sequence of your computer using Unix commands, you can start up your computer in single-user mode. You should do this only if you are comfortable with Unix and are confident that you know what you are doing.
Choose Apple menu > Restart, or if the computer is off, press the Power button.
As the computer starts up, hold down the Command and S keys.
When the computer screen is black with white text, you can type the Unix commands.
Note: Single-user mode does not load the entire operating system so not all functions are available. To use the Aqua interface or other high-level aspects of Mac OS X, you need to restart by typing "reboot" and pressing Return..

3. various shortcuts while starting up: from the Mac Help:

Shortcuts for starting up
Use these shortcuts when you start up your computer.

Prevent automatic login
Hold down the left Shift key and the mouse button when you see the progress bar

Close open Finder windows
Shift key

Start up from a CD
C

Start up from the default NetBoot image
N

Start up a computer connected using FireWire in Target Disk Mode
T

Select a startup disk (on some computers)
Option

Open the CD tray when selecting a startup disk (on some computers)
? + . (period)

Prevent startup items from opening
Hold down the Shift key when you see the progress bar

Start up using Mac OS X rather than Mac OS 9 (if both are on the same volume)
? + X

Eject removable disks
Hold down the mouse button

Reset Parameter RAM
? + Option + P + R

Show console messages (verbose mode)
? + V

Start up in single user mode
? + S

Start up in Safe Mode
Hold down the Shift key immediately after the startup tone, and release when you see the progress bar

[Big Mac]

What is being reported in Console (/Applications/Utilities)? What happens when you try to launch the Finder manually? What happens if you login as another user?

[tarassg]

Cannot manually start Finder cos it open briefly and closes. It say Finder not running. Had tried create another user and the new a/c hasn't able to start Finder too. Finder in classic finder is working fine.

In Console Log:

Mac OS X Version 10.3.4 (Build 7L46)
2005-03-02 02:21:39 +0800
2005-03-02 02:21:40.479 SystemUIServer[448]
MenuCracker
see http://sourceforge.net/projects/menucracker
MenuCracker is now loaded. Ready to accept new menus. Ignore the failure message that follow.
2005-03-02 02:21:40.573 SystemUIServer[448] failed to load Menu Extra: NSBundle </Library/PreferencePanes/MenuMeters.prefPane/Contents/Resources/MenuCracker.menu> (loaded)
2005-03-02 02:21:41.284 SystemUIServer[448] MenuCracker: Loading 'MenuMeterCPUExtra'.
2005-03-02 02:21:42.113 SystemUIServer[448] MenuMeterCPU loaded.


In System Log:

Mar 2 02:26:41 localhost /usr/libexec/fix_prebinding: /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app/Contents/MacOS/Finder could not be launched prebound.
Mar 2 02:26:41 localhost /usr/libexec/fix_prebinding: /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app/Contents/MacOS/Finder couldn't be prebound in the past, and probably can't be prebound now.
Mar 2 02:26:41 localhost /usr/libexec/fix_prebinding: 2005-03-02 02:26:41 +0800: prebinding for Finder done.
Mar 2 02:26:42 localhost crashdump: Started writing crash report to: /Users/willylum/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/Finder.crash.log
Mar 2 02:26:42 localhost crashdump: Finished writing crash report to: /Users/willylum/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/Finder.crash.log


Extract from Finder crash log:

Thread 1:
0 libSystem.B.dylib 0x900074c8 mach_msg_trap + 0x8
1 libSystem.B.dylib 0x90007018 mach_msg + 0x38
2 com.unsanity.ape 0xc000a954 __ape_internal + 0x90b8
3 com.unsanity.ape 0xc0001328 __ape_agent + 0x40
4 libSystem.B.dylib 0x900246e8 _pthread_body + 0x28

PPC Thread State:
srr0: 0x890233c0 srr1: 0x0000d030 vrsave: 0x00000000
cr: 0x24802248 xer: 0x20000004 lr: 0x890233f0 ctr: 0x890233b0
r0: 0x890233f0 r1: 0xbf800010 r2: 0x0027bdc0 r3: 0x00643c00
r4: 0x00643c7c r5: 0xbffff5b0 r6: 0x00000000 r7: 0x00000007
r8: 0x0027bdc0 r9: 0x00000000 r10: 0x89021710 r11: 0x44802244
r12: 0x890233b0 r13: 0x00000000 r14: 0x00000000 r15: 0x00000000
r16: 0x00000000 r17: 0x00000000 r18: 0x00000000 r19: 0x890e66d8
r20: 0x890e66d8 r21: 0x890e66d8 r22: 0xbffffce0 r23: 0x00000000
r24: 0x00000000 r25: 0x890e7a24 r26: 0x0027bb1c r27: 0x00643c4c
r28: 0x00643c7c r29: 0x00000000 r30: 0x00643c00 r31: 0x89027a24

Binary Images Description:
0x1000 - 0x22bfff com.apple.finder 10.2 (10.2.1) /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app/Contents/MacOS/Finder
0x5ed000 - 0x5effff com.pixture.IconSizeEnabler IconSizeEnabler version 1.0 (1.0) /Library/Application Enhancers/IconSizeEnabler.ape/Contents/MacOS/IconSizeEnabler
0x793000 - 0x7a6fff com.unsanity.windowshadex.ape.carbon WindowShade X version 2.1.1 (2.1) /Library/Application Enhancers/WindowShade X.ape/Contents/PlugIns/Carbon Magic.ape/Contents/MacOS/Carbon Magic
0x89020000 - 0x890e9fff com.apple.PowerPlant 1.0.3 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/PowerPlant.framework/Versions/A/PowerPlant
0x8fe00000 - 0x8fe4ffff dyld /usr/lib/dyld
0x90000000 - 0x90122fff libSystem.B.dylib /usr/lib/libSystem.B.dylib
0x90190000 - 0x9023dfff com.apple.CoreFoundation 6.3.4 (299.31) /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreFoundation.framework/Versions/A/CoreFoundation
0x90280000 - 0x904f9fff com.apple.CoreServices.CarbonCore 10.3.5 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CarbonCore.framework/Versions/A/CarbonCore
0xc0000000 - 0xc000efff com.unsanity.ape 1.4.1 /Library/Frameworks/ApplicationEnhancer.framework/Versions/A/ApplicationEnhancer

[Appleman]

You seem to have altered OS X with Ape etc. mm, me no like.

[tarassg]

tried diasble APE, then uninstall it. But Finder remains unresponding.

[tarassg]

Was reading the log when checked that after this upgrade, my finder remains 10.2.1 instead of 10.3.2

Just perhaps, could this be the problem? What could i do?


Extract form finder crash log:

OS Version: 10.3.4 (Build 7L46)
Report Version: 2

Command: Finder
Path: /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app/Contents/MacOS/Finder
Version: 10.2 (10.2.1)
PID: 745
Thread: 0

Exception: EXC_BAD_ACCESS (0x0001)
Codes: KERN_INVALID_ADDRESS (0x0001) at 0xbf7fffb0



Binary Images Description:
0x1000 - 0x22bfff com.apple.finder 10.2 (10.2.1) /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app/Contents/MacOS/Finder
0x89020000 - 0x890e9fff com.apple.PowerPlant 1.0.3 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/PowerPlant.framework/Versions/A/PowerPlant
0x8fe00000 - 0x8fe4ffff dyld /usr/lib/dyld
0x90000000 - 0x90122fff libSystem.B.dylib /usr/lib/libSystem.B.dylib
0x90190000 - 0x9023dfff com.apple.CoreFoundation 6.3.4 (299.31) /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreFoundation.framework/Versions/A/CoreFoundation
0x90280000 - 0x904f9fff com.apple.CoreServices.CarbonCore 10.3.5 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CarbonCore.framework/Versions/A/CarbonCore
0x90570000 - 0x905dffff com.apple.framework.IOKit 1.3.4 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/IOKit.framework/Versions/A/IOKit
0x90610000 - 0x9069afff com.apple.CoreServices.OSServices 3.0.1 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/OSServices.framework/Versions/A/OSServices
0x90700000 - 0x90700fff com.apple.CoreServices 10.3 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/CoreServices
0x90720000 - 0x90787fff com.apple.audio.CoreAudio 2.1.2 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreAudio.framework/Versions/A/CoreAudio
0x907f0000 - 0x907f9fff com.apple.DiskArbitration 2.0.3 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/DiskArbitration.framework/Versions/A/DiskArbitration
0x90810000 - 0x90810fff com.apple.ApplicationServices 1.0 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/ApplicationServices
0x90830000 - 0x9089ffff libobjc.A.dylib /usr/lib/libobjc.A.dylib
0x90910000 - 0x90983fff com.apple.DesktopServices 1.2.2 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/DesktopServicesPriv.framework/Versions/A/DesktopServicesPriv
0x909c0000 - 0x909d7fff com.apple.LangAnalysis 1.5.4 /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LangAnalysis.framework/Versions/A/LangAnalysis
0x909f0000 - 0x90b4bfff com.apple.Foundation 6.3.5 (500.56) /System/Library/Frameworks/Foundation.framework/Versions/C/Foundation
0x90d0b000 - 0x90d28fff com.apple.audio.SoundManager 3.8 /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CarbonSound.framework/Versions/A/CarbonSound
0x90e8d000 - 0x90eacfff com.apple.MediaKit 2.5 (232.0) /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MediaKit.framework/Versions/A/MediaKit
0x90fed000 - 0x91008fff com.apple.SystemConfiguration 1.7.1 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/SystemConfiguration.framework/Versions/A/SystemConfiguration
0x910b0000 - 0x91101fff com.apple.bom 1.2.5 (63.2) /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Bom.framework/Versions/A/Bom
0x916b0000 - 0x916e8fff com.apple.AE 1.3.2 /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/AE.framework/Versions/A/AE
0x91720000 - 0x917b3fff com.apple.print.framework.PrintCore 3.3 /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/PrintCore.framework/Versions/A/PrintCore
0x91820000 - 0x91830fff com.apple.speech.recognition.framework 3.3 /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/SpeechRecognition.framework/Versions/A/SpeechRecognition
0x91850000 - 0x9186afff com.apple.openscripting 1.2.1 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/OpenScripting.framework/Versions/A/OpenScripting
0x91890000 - 0x918a0fff com.apple.ImageCapture 2.1.0 /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ImageCapture.framework/Versions/A/ImageCapture
0x918d0000 - 0x918dcfff com.apple.help 1.0.1 /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/Help.framework/Versions/A/Help
0x91900000 - 0x9190dfff com.apple.CommonPanels 1.2.1 (1.0) /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CommonPanels.framework/Versions/A/CommonPanels
0x91930000 - 0x9197efff com.apple.print.framework.Print 3.3 /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/Print.framework/Versions/A/Print
0x919d0000 - 0x919dbfff com.apple.securityhi 1.2 (90) /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/SecurityHI.framework/Versions/A/SecurityHI
0x91a00000 - 0x91a73fff com.apple.NavigationServices 3.3.1 /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/NavigationServices.framework/Versions/A/NavigationServices
0x91af0000 - 0x91b04fff libCGATS.A.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CoreGraphics.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libCGATS.A.dylib
0x91b20000 - 0x91b2bfff libCSync.A.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CoreGraphics.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libCSync.A.dylib
0x91b50000 - 0x91b6afff libPDFRIP.A.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CoreGraphics.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libPDFRIP.A.dylib
0x91b90000 - 0x91b9ffff libPSRIP.A.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CoreGraphics.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libPSRIP.A.dylib
0x91bc0000 - 0x91bd3fff libRIP.A.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CoreGraphics.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libRIP.A.dylib
0x91bda000 - 0x91cc8fff libiconv.2.dylib /usr/lib/libiconv.2.dylib
0x91ccb000 - 0x91d84fff com.apple.QD 3.4.64 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/QD.framework/Versions/A/QD
0x92056000 - 0x92069fff com.apple.speech.synthesis.framework 3.2 /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/SpeechSynthesis.framework/Versions/A/SpeechSynthesis
0x920f0000 - 0x92116fff com.apple.FindByContent 1.4 (1.2) /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/FindByContent.framework/Versions/A/FindByContent
0x92140000 - 0x92327fff com.apple.security 2.3 (176) /System/Library/Frameworks/Security.framework/Versions/A/Security
0x924b0000 - 0x924e8fff com.apple.LaunchServices 10.3 (84) /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Versions/A/LaunchServices
0x927c0000 - 0x927f7fff com.apple.CFNetwork 1.2.1 (7) /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CFNetwork.framework/Versions/A/CFNetwork
0x92850000 - 0x92bd4fff com.apple.HIToolbox 1.3.3 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/HIToolbox.framework/Versions/A/HIToolbox
0x92db0000 - 0x92e00fff com.apple.HIServices 1.4.1 (0.0.1d1) /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/HIServices.framework/Versions/A/HIServices
0x93650000 - 0x93928fff com.apple.CoreGraphics 1.203.20 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CoreGraphics.framework/Versions/A/CoreGraphics
0x93a20000 - 0x93a34fff libcups.2.dylib /usr/lib/libcups.2.dylib
0x93a50000 - 0x93a54fff libmathCommon.A.dylib /usr/lib/system/libmathCommon.A.dylib
0x940f0000 - 0x94108fff com.apple.WebServices 1.1.1 (1.1.0) /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/WebServicesCore.framework/Versions/A/WebServicesCore
0x94240000 - 0x94303fff com.apple.DiskImagesFramework 10.3.4 (76.3) /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/DiskImages.framework/Versions/A/DiskImages
0x94640000 - 0x94649fff libz.1.dylib /usr/lib/libz.1.dylib
0x946a0000 - 0x946bafff libresolv.9.dylib /usr/lib/libresolv.9.dylib
0x94740000 - 0x948d5fff com.apple.QuickTime 6.5.2 /System/Library/Frameworks/QuickTime.framework/Versions/A/QuickTime
0x949f7000 - 0x94a86fff ATS /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ATS.framework/Versions/A/ATS
0x94aa7000 - 0x94b6cfff libxml2.2.dylib /usr/lib/libxml2.2.dylib
0x94c1f000 - 0x94cacfff com.apple.ink.framework 55.8 /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/Ink.framework/Versions/A/Ink
0x94d8e000 - 0x94d8efff com.apple.Carbon 10.3 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Carbon
0x94e00000 - 0x94e73fff com.apple.DiscRecordingEngine 2.1.8 /System/Library/Frameworks/DiscRecording.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/DiscRecordingEngine.framework/Versions/A/DiscRecordingEngine
0x95b2e000 - 0x95b31fff com.apple.URLMount 2.1 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/URLMount.framework/Versions/A/URLMount
0x95b50000 - 0x95c32fff libicucore.A.dylib /usr/lib/libicucore.A.dylib
0x95ca0000 - 0x95d62fff libcrypto.0.9.7.dylib /usr/lib/libcrypto.0.9.7.dylib
0x95dc0000 - 0x95deefff libssl.0.9.7.dylib /usr/lib/libssl.0.9.7.dylib
0x95f8d000 - 0x95ff6fff com.apple.htmlrendering 1.1.2 /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/HTMLRendering.framework/Versions/A/HTMLRendering
0x96070000 - 0x9608bfff libcurl.2.dylib /usr/lib/libcurl.2.dylib
0x96191000 - 0x9624ffff ColorSync /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ColorSync.framework/Versions/A/ColorSync
0x96cb1000 - 0x96d10fff com.apple.SearchKit 1.0.2 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/SearchKit.framework/Versions/A/SearchKit
0x970f0000 - 0x970f8fff libbsm.dylib /usr/lib/libbsm.dylib

[proton]

"Extracts" of crash logs are practically useless.

All the data in the crash log is useful -- Apple didn't put it in there for no reason.

- proton

[Fonzie]

Why not try the combo 10.3.8 updater ? Maybe that will fix your problem + you will have an up-to-date system

[tarassg]

Ever since the upgrade, the ibook cannot go online. Reckon it has something to the finder problem. Luckly, i've got another mac at home to access internet.

Suppose i download this combo update from apple site, how do i mount it to this ibook, given that finder is not running?

[Appleman]

Originally posted by tarassg:
Ever since the upgrade, the ibook cannot go online. Reckon it has something to the finder problem. Luckly, i've got another mac at home to access internet.

Suppose i download this combo update from apple site, how do i mount it to this ibook, given that finder is not running?

Start up from a CD or do a FireWire startup.

[Anubis IV]

Originally posted by tarassg:
Ever since the upgrade, the ibook cannot go online. Reckon it has something to the finder problem. Luckly, i've got another mac at home to access internet.

Suppose i download this combo update from apple site, how do i mount it to this ibook, given that finder is not running?

If you have any Terminal experience you should be able to navigate to it on your HDD, use the "open" command to open the .dmg, then navigate to the disk image itself in the /Volumes directory. From there, it seems to be a simple matter of opening the applicable insaller and such.

Of course, if you don't have Terminal experience then none of this really matters. Plus, you'd need to have Terminal in your Dock...

[tarassg]

Using the only latest combo update 10.3.5, will this do?

I managed to add terminal as startup item from system pref. Could anyone guide me on how to open and install the .dmg using terminal. What other methods can i use?

Is it possible to copy finder from another mac (using panther os) and replace this ibook's finder.

Any help is appreciated. Cheers.

[Fonzie]

Originally posted by tarassg:
Using the only latest combo update 10.3.5, will this do?

I managed to add terminal as startup item from system pref. Could anyone guide me on how to open and install the .dmg using terminal. What other methods can i use?

Is it possible to copy finder from another mac (using panther os) and replace this ibook's finder.

Any help is appreciated. Cheers.

Seriously I think you have no way out but to try and reinstall and do the full one - not an archive and install. I personally can see no way that you can open up anything without the Finder. Even though you can mount the diskimage (.dmg) the Finder is still responsible for showing it on the desktop. I believe that is how it is.

If somebody were to send you a Finder app with the same version number as your OS X installation you would still have to get it on the desktop in order to launch it or even unarchive it if somebody zips it up for you.

I'm not particulary into the whole deal with the Terminal but I know about a few obvious things related to the desktop and the Finder. I would have suggested that you tried out PathFinder which replaces the Finder, but then I remember that it is also compressed and need to be unarchived .... ofcourse if you can do this all in the Terminal then all is good.

All hope is not lost I reckon, but still...

[tarassg]

Well, guessed it's time to put matter to rest. It's sad that all my personal pref, external applications and etc had to be re-install. I've

How do i perform an erase and clean installation? Can i use the panther installation disc instead of the early 10.2 osx that comes with my ibook? Appericates if someone gives a step by step guid to reinstall the 10.3 osx.

All big thank you for everyone who help and advise on this thread. Cheers.

[Fonzie]

Originally posted by tarassg:
Well, guessed it's time to put matter to rest. It's sad that all my personal pref, external applications and etc had to be re-install. I've

How do i perform an erase and clean installation? Can i use the panther installation disc instead of the early 10.2 osx that comes with my ibook? Appericates if someone gives a step by step guid to reinstall the 10.3 osx.

All big thank you for everyone who help and advise on this thread. Cheers.

All you have to do is take it slow during the initial installation when all the requesters come up. At one point there will appear a button in the lower-left corner that I can't remember what says(maybe Options)but clicking this will open up for a bunch of options including a erase and install option or something similar. Keep them eyes open. You might also want to look under the button that says "Customize" - that will also appear on the lower-left area of a requester.

I imagine that since you're going to install Panther that you can use the Panther installation discs for the installation. You do have the rest of the installation discs, right ? Otherwise you won't be getting anywhere.

Edit... I just remembered that you /could/ try the archive and install option to see if that would solve your problem. Then you could make a bakup and do a complete erase and install afterwards. I had to do this procedure myself because of some f' up i did.

[Anubis IV]

Well, just in case you haven't already reformatted, yeah, you should try an archive and reinstall since you can get your data back that way.

Also, for how to do the Terminal stuff (I was gonna post this last night when the forums suddenly went down...).

1) Type in these two commands, but replace "~/Desktop" with wherever you placed the .dmg file itself. So, if you put it in your Applications folder you'd say "/Applications", if you put it at the root level of your hard drive you'd say "/", and if you put it in your Home folder you'd say "~/". Just in case you didn't know, "~" means the Home directory, which is the place where all of your Music, Movies, Library, Pictures, etc etc etc are located.

cd ~/Desktop
ls


2) A list of files in the ~/Desktop directory (directory is another way of saying "folder" basically) should now be displayed on the screen. Locate the .dmg file, then type in this next line. Just make sure you change the file name if I messed it up.

open MacOSXUpdateCombo10.3.5.dmg


3) So what you just did was mount the .dmg file, and you should be able to tell that you mounted it since a window should show up and display the progress as it mounts. Now go inside of the mounted .dmg file by typing this:

cd /Volumes
ls


4) Another list should be on the terminal screen now. Look for the Mac OSX Combo Update disk image, then type the following line. I'm assuming it's named "Mac OS X 10.3.5 Combined Update" since I only have the 10.3.8 Combo update handy, and that's the naming convention they used.

cd Mac\ OS\ X*


5) Ok, now you've mounted the disk image and have navigated so that you're inside of the disk image...at least, in theory you've done that. Now we just need to launch the installer. First, let's see what's inside...

ls


6) Another list should pop up. At this point, look for the installer, then type the following line, but replace correct the file name as necessary.

open MacOSXUpdateCombo10.3.5.pkg


7) Hopefully at that point, the installer will launch and you'll be able to see it. Anyway, I don't know if any of this is useful or not since your situation may have changed since you asked for that help...