10.4 security update issue

Halftone · June 03, 2008, 11:07:31 AM

My boss has a G4 iMac with 10.4. He did the most recent security update and when it rebooted it made the gong sound and then sat for about a minute with a black screen. After that minute the fans kicked in on overdrive and nothing happens after that. I unplugged everything from the machine except for the power plug and rebooted. The results were the same. I also tried booting up using the 10.4 disk that came with the machine and held down the C key. Still nothing worked. Any ideas or suggestions?

gnubler · June 03, 2008, 11:08:30 AM

This sounds like what happened to Tracy yesterday. Uh oh?

https://www.b4print.com/forums/index.php?topic=1777.0;topicseen

DigitalCrapShoveler · June 03, 2008, 11:19:28 AM

Yeah, I asked Traci this morning what update it wasm, and make/model of machine, I have not heard back. I talked with my IT buddy this morning about it, and he has not come across the problem. One guy in our Art Department is running a G4, and he is okay as well. I am confused.

almaink · June 03, 2008, 11:23:06 AM

I did that Security update on Two G4's and a G5 with no issues. Most times when these type of things happen the Mac wasn't long for trouble and may have exhibited this problem anyway at the next reboot. One more reason to keep everything backed up, your system clean, and repair permissions before and after every install.

G_Town · June 03, 2008, 11:24:06 AM

NEVER DO THE INTERNET UPDATES I TELLS YA!

Halftone · June 03, 2008, 11:26:44 AM

I read Tracy's post and felt it was a bit different of an issue as I can't get anything more than just a black screen. No user shell or anything of the such. The big problem is the machine was backed up to an external drive every night but of course last week that drive went bad. Holding down the command + s doesn't do anything as it won't get past the fan initialization. Zapping PRam had the same issue. I got tired of holding the keys down for more than 5 minutes in hopes it would do something.

G_Town · June 03, 2008, 11:28:09 AM

Quote from: almaink on June 03, 2008, 11:23:06 AMI did that Security update on Two G4's and a G5 with no issues. Most times when these type of things happen the Mac wasn't long for trouble and may have exhibited this problem anyway at the next reboot. One more reason to keep everything backed up, your system clean, and repair permissions before and after every install.

agreed, however I read somewhere (yea it's always somewhere :wink:) that the automatic updaters can be problematic. Not always obviously but something can get corrupt during d/l and automatic install or some such shite.

I'm gonna see if I can find it again.

DigitalCrapShoveler · June 03, 2008, 11:28:29 AM

Quote from: almaink on June 03, 2008, 11:23:06 AMI did that Security update on Two G4's and a G5 with no issues. Most times when these type of things happen the Mac wasn't long for trouble and may have exhibited this problem anyway at the next reboot. One more reason to keep everything backed up, your system clean, and repair permissions before and after every install.

Words of wisdom.

Joe · June 03, 2008, 11:45:56 AM

Quote from: Halftone on June 03, 2008, 11:26:44 AMI read Tracy's post and felt it was a bit different of an issue as I can't get anything more than just a black screen. No user shell or anything of the such. The big problem is the machine was backed up to an external drive every night but of course last week that drive went bad. Holding down the command + s doesn't do anything as it won't get past the fan initialization. Zapping PRam had the same issue. I got tired of holding the keys down for more than 5 minutes in hopes it would do something.

I've seen this happen when the battery dies. You can buy a new one at radio shack for $10 - $15. Worth a shot if all else fails.

almaink · June 03, 2008, 11:55:33 AM

You could also try booting from the install DVD and running disk utility from the DVD. I don't think it will help but worth a shot as U never know.

Tracy · June 03, 2008, 12:37:02 PM

yeah try booting from the install disk and go to the menu for disk utility and repair permissions. full instructions are in the thread from yesterday, didnt help me but maybe it will you. good luck man. the tech has my computer!

Halftone · June 03, 2008, 12:40:16 PM

I appreciate all the responses. As far as rebooting from the 10.4 DVD, I already stated that I tried that but it won't boot up from it. :smiley:
I can't even get the DVD out of the drive now.
Basically the steps things happen:
1) Startup Gong
2) Black screen sits for 1 minute
3) Black screen stays but fans kick in overdrive.
4) Nothing else happens, fans go on forever.

Joe · June 03, 2008, 12:43:39 PM

I'm still thinking battery...or the mainboard. I'd try replacing the battery first though. :wink:

Halftone · June 03, 2008, 12:51:01 PM

Quote from: Joe link=topic=1786.msg29103#msg29103 date=1212518619I'm still thinking battery...or the mainboard. I'd try replacing the battery first though. :wink:

I'll look into that Joe. Thanks. I don't suppose the battery is a AA is it? :laugh:

Joe · June 03, 2008, 01:13:21 PM

Quote from: Halftone on June 03, 2008, 12:51:01 PM
Quote from: Joe link=topic=1786.msg29103#msg29103 date=1212518619I'm still thinking battery...or the mainboard. I'd try replacing the battery first though. :wink:

I'll look into that Joe. Thanks. I don't suppose the battery is a AA is it? :laugh:

Unfortunately no. :grin:

I had another thought though. I had a similar problem on a co-workers G4 a couple of years ago. Her G4 would do nothing, just like yours is doing. On the main board you should be able to find a little round silver tiny micro switch. I think it is fairly close to the battery. When you push the little round silver button down you should feel a click. Release it and try starting it again. Might not work but this one is free to try. It fixed her machine at the time. Good luck.

News:

10.4 security update issue