PowerMac G5 Won't Boot At All!

[davidanderson1]

Hi,

I have a G5 Dual 1.8 GHz that won't boot at all. When I turn it on, the startup chime sounds, the Apple logo shows on the gray screen for a while, then the computer goes to the localhost prompt. I tried first to boot in into Target Disk Mode to copy off some files that I need, but it wouldn't boot into it (on a side note, could that be because I'm using a generic keyboard)? Anyway, I can't boot into Target Disk Mode, and then I tried to boot off the install DVD but that didn't work. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks very much.

 

[mad jew]

Normally I'd think this was a RAM issue and tell you to take out all but the Apple-installed chips however the fact that it can't work with Target Disk Mode is worrying. Any USB or Bluetooth keyboard should work, that shouldn't be an issue.

I suppose you could try fsck.

 

[awulf]

Target Disk Mode has nothing to do with the Mac OS, its handled with the Firmware, try resetting the NVRAM:
1) Turn on the computer
2) Hold down the Apple-Option-O-F keys
4) type "reset-nvram" and hit return
5) Enter in your Open Firmware password if you have one
6) Type "reset-all" and hit return
7) Hold down the T key

Now it should be in Target Disk Mode

From the sounds of it Mac OS X is going into Single User Mode, it could be the OS is damaged, so I'd just reinstall it.

 

[Counterfit]

Does it make any sort of noise at all when you press the power button? If not, you might have a dead power supply or cable.

 

[davidanderson1]

Thanks for your help so far. Thanks to awulf, I got the thing into Target Disk Mode and was able to copy off my applications. Unfortunately, I have FileVault, so I couldn't get to the latest versions of my real files.

I booted off the install DVD and ran Disk Utility to see if it could repair my machine. Unfortunately, it couldn't. All it did was show the error message: Invalid Leaf Record Count, it should be 30 instead of 440. So, I'm at a standstill. Are there any other utilities or tricks I could use to possibly get the machine back to normal, or should I resign myself to a clean install and the loss of my data?

Secondly, if I do have to reinstall, how can I save my Filevault data? Would it work to install the OS on a new hard drive and somehow import the files with the setup assistant? Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mad jew]

Please don't use FileVault, it's notorious for corrupting system files (among others).

 

[davidanderson1]

Be that as it may, I really need my data. If I boot off the install disk and try to reinstall, will it be able to recover my FileVault data? As far as I can tell from browsing the rest of the disk in Target Disk Mode, the data seems to be OK, and it's the operating system that's messed up.

 

[benwa02]

[delete me]

 

[mad jew]

Do you mean do an Archive & Install? I reckon that should work.

 

[davidanderson1]

Yes, that's what I meant. I'm a little worried about this, though. Can anyone confirm that this will work with Filevault?