Help! Need mac tools to repair an os 8 system

Ultra_Extreme

Ultra_Extreme

Ultra_Extreme

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Hey guys, a client called me up today regaurding freezing issues on his 6 yr old mac, sounds viral in nature (thought these bad boys were immune ;)) or maybe heat related. either way i could do with any tools that will help diagnose the problem

I need the following

A virus scanner
A memory stresser/tester (a la memtest)
A systems diagnostics tool that will give me temp readings
any other info advice

This is a mac os8 system

cheers guys
 
A) There isn't anything abnd I very very very very much doubt it is that a porblem

B) Nothing that I know of

C) No chance.

Reinstall OS 8, or get 9.2.2. I'd imagine they have deleted something they shouldn't.

PS: I've been using macs since 1995, and my dad since before I was born (1986 IIRC). And we have never ever got anything, failed HDs etc yes but systems? Not yet.

Reinstall the system, if thatd eosn't work tell em to get a PowerMac G3/G4 Pre 2003 as they support Mac OS X 9.2.2.

CR.
 
Concorde Rules said:
A) There isn't anything abnd I very very very very much doubt it is that a porblem

B) Nothing that I know of

C) No chance.

Reinstall OS 8, or get 9.2.2. I'd imagine they have deleted something they shouldn't.

PS: I've been using macs since 1995, and my dad since before I was born (1986 IIRC). And we have never ever got anything, failed HDs etc yes but systems? Not yet.

Reinstall the system, if thatd eosn't work tell em to get a PowerMac G3/G4 Pre 2003 as they support Mac OS X 9.2.2.

CR.
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Cheers man, when reinstalling a mac os is it very much like installing windows or majorly different? also do macs use IDE HDD's or have their own type@? talk about a flipping crash course!
 
Ultra_Extreme said:
also do macs use IDE HDD's or have their own type@?
Click to expand...
The newest ones are SATA (you won't see these on your machine there). Before that they used IDE (somewhat unlikely for you). Before that they used SCSI (Where I put my money). It shouldn't be any problem, really.
 
BillytheImpaler said:
The newest ones are SATA (you won't see these on your machine there). Before that they used IDE (somewhat unlikely for you). Before that they used SCSI (Where I put my money). It shouldn't be any problem, really.
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Im primarily concerned with data racovery, i mean unless mac os can be reinstralled without a format
 
Can you ghost mac drives and data?

I'd take a spare drive and ghost the disk first. That way if you do mess up a reinstall or some brown stuff hits a fan you've got a copy of the drive.
 
JonRohan said:
Can you ghost mac drives and data?

I'd take a spare drive and ghost the disk first. That way if you do mess up a reinstall or some brown stuff hits a fan you've got a copy of the drive.
Click to expand...

If its SCSi then i havent the kit for using the drive at all doh :(
 
That would be a problem. You could ghost over IP but I have no idea about the kind of hardware in Current Mac's never mind an older one. If its got a good chipset you might have a chance.
 
The first iMac was the technological debut of USB, IIRC. Those came loaded with System 7. If it's running System 8 I bet it will have at lease 2 USB ports.

Ultra_Extreme, what model is the Mac?
 
BillytheImpaler said:
So you don't have physical access to the machine? It'/s tough to come up with a solution unless you know what you're working with.
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well im off to the clients property today so im geussing ill find out, prolly end up posting back here after.
 
Well had a shufty at it, couldnt identify it properly (probably because im being dumb) its a green and clear all-in-one plasticky job. Man it takes some getting used to!

Solved a number of configuration problems but not the freezing so it looks like an OS refit is needed....this i need help on.

Firstly since i can find no bios or method of booting from CD how can i run the restore disks? (they complain about being run when in the OS which is understandable)

Must i format for a reinstall? as the client has no idea on data location and i fear we will loose important data.

Would an easy fix be an upgrade from os 8.6? How much can i pick up a newer version that would overhaul the main system files ? (as opposed to tacking on extras) Are there compatability and/or driver issues with this or is it not applicable with macs?

Thanks a lot to anyone who can help
 
It sounds like an original iMac. To boot from the CD hold the C key when you hear the startup chime. It should actually say this on the restore CD!
 
Try clearing the PRAM and rebuilding the desktop. That sometimes solved hanging problems for me on OS 8 and 9 machines. Its also quite often a sign of faulty ram.

I think its alt, apple P and R on boot and you should here it chime. If not try control, apple P and R. The machine should restart twice (chime twice) and then you can let go of the keys. Press the keys as soon as you switch it on.

To rebuild the desktop click alt and apple at the same time as you boot. (Think i've got that right as its an age since i've done it, again if not try control and apple.)
 
melchy said:
Try clearing the PRAM and rebuilding the desktop. That sometimes solved hanging problems for me on OS 8 and 9 machines. Its also quite often a sign of faulty ram.

I think its alt, apple P and R on boot and you should here it chime. If not try control, apple P and R. The machine should restart twice (chime twice) and then you can let go of the keys. Press the keys as soon as you switch it on.

To rebuild the desktop click alt and apple at the same time as you boot. (Think i've got that right as its an age since i've done it, again if not try control and apple.)
Click to expand...


That might sort it.


IIRC you don't need to wipe to reinstall, a major update will upgrade most o f the system.

Macs don't have BIOS, they have firmware which in theory you can't corrupt as easily as a BIOS. You also cannot access it. Some system settings do adujst firmware settings. To start up from a CD press C.

CR.
 
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