Bought a Imac G3....

Sparky

Sparky

Sparky

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I bought this for my daughter to do school work on and it never came with a OS CD.Need to format it to setup new accounts etc.Where can i buy Mac software from?Always used PCs so please excuse my ignorance. :D
 
How do you get into boot menu on a mac? I now have ubuntu on a disc but need to access the bios?Does it even have a Bios?
 
Nope. No BIOS for Macs. It will use Open Firmware. What are you trying to do? Boot from the CD?

If so, hold down 'C' when you switch the computer on.
 
CS||nuTs said:
Can i install ubuntu on a imac G3? Or would i still need a OS disc?
Click to expand...
You could definitely run Ubuntu on it. It's why they make a PPC version. In fact, Linus Torvalds does his kernel hacking on a dual G5 powermac. :)
 
BillytheImpaler said:
You could definitely run Ubuntu on it. It's why they make a PPC version. In fact, Linus Torvalds does his kernel hacking on a dual G5 powermac. :)
Click to expand...


You just lost me totally ;)

Ive removed the old HDD and using a bigger drive.Used ALT on boot and im at a screen with a padlock and a box for a password.

Next step?
 
CS||nuTs said:
You just lost me totally ;)

Ive removed the old HDD and using a bigger drive.Used ALT on boot and im at a screen with a padlock and a box for a password.

Next step?
Click to expand...

It's got an open firmware password on. Did the person you bought it off supply it?

You could try zapping the settings. Reboot your computer while holding down the command-option-o-f keys simultaneously. At the prompt, type reset-nvram and hit the Return key, then type reset-all and hit the Return key again. Your computer will reboot.
 
If the computer is for your daughter i would stick with using OS X tbh, far better for her to learn on as the majority of schools these days use Mac's to teach kids on.

You'll be able to get a cheap version of OS X 10.3 Panther on the popular auction site.
 
Beepcake said:
It's got an open firmware password on. Did the person you bought it off supply it?

You could try zapping the settings. Reboot your computer while holding down the command-option-o-f keys simultaneously. At the prompt, type reset-nvram and hit the Return key, then type reset-all and hit the Return key again. Your computer will reboot.
Click to expand...

Which keys are the command and option? Are these specific to a Mac keyboard and if so what would be the windows keyboard alternative?

Thanks
 
Ok found those keys :D but after i have entered reset nvram it asks for a password!Anyway to reset a admin password?
 
If a normal reset pram doesn't work, the 'workaround' to reset lost passwords is below, but i'm not sure if it works 100% of the time:

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Gain access to the computer's RAM slots.
(Detailed instructions by product are available from the CIP page:
www.info.apple.com/installparts
3. Add or remove a RAM DIMM to change the total amount of installed RAM. For example:
* If the computer has two RAM DIMMs (128 MB DIMM and 64 MB DIMM) for a total of 192 MB of memory, remove the 64 MB DIMM. This changes the total memory of the computer to 128 MB RAM.
If the computer has a single RAM DIMM, you can change the total memory by adding a DIMM of any compatible size.
Note: Removing a computer's only DIMM is not an option and will prevent the computer from starting up.
4. Turn on the computer and immediately reset PRAM by holding the Command-Option-P-R key combination. Press the keys until you've heard two successive startup sounds.
5. Open Firmware password protection is now disabled. Shut down the computer and return it to its original RAM configuration.
 
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