Help installing Panther on DP500 PLEASE!

[Calvinatir]

I'm currently attempting a clean installation of Panther on my DP 500 G4. I get to the end of the Base Sysytem 1 section and my installation stops with errors. Here is the error output in the log.

root: bootstrap_look_up(): unknown error code
root: bootstrap_look_up(): unknown error code
root: bootstrap_look_up(): unknown error code
Some files for Essentials may not have been written correctly.
root: Installer[108] Exception raised during posting of notification. Ignored. Exception: Some files for Essentials may not have been written correctly. (code 10)
Install failed
Error Detected
name: NSGenericException
Reason: Some files for Essentials may not have been written correctly. (code 10)


So, here is what I have done so far to troubleshoot this problem. I have: replaced memory, replaced Hard drive, replaced DVD-ROM drive, used different installation CD's, replaced the IDE ribbon cables, recet the cmos and reseated the AGP video card.

Anyone have an recommendations?

 

[mklos]

If you have an external FW Case, I'd put the HD in that and then install Panther from your Mac Mini and then take the HD out of your FW Case and then put it back into your PowerMac and see if it boots.

External FireWire Cases are fairly cheap. I bought mine for about $40. You can put anything in it that uses an IDE connector.

 

[spinne1]

It sounds like you might have a hardware problem on your motherboard. Can you install any other operating system? Jaguar? OS 9? Have you used the computer without trouble before the attemped install? Is the spare hard drive okay? Are you installing it to a hard drive hooked up to the Master position on the IDE cable (with nothing else hooked up as slave)?

Try it again with only the CD/DVD drive hooked up as Master on one IDE cable, and the hard drive as Master on a different IDE cable, each hooked to a different connector on the motherboard. If it does not work, then suspect a hardware issue not related to the components you mentioned replacing. Can your main processor be taken out and reseated? Check all the pins. Also, check the pins on all your hard drives, and IDE ports, etc. I once had a problem that I couldn't fix that turned out to be a bent pin that wasn't connecting properly.