Old Computer Problem

RalphTomaccio · #1 07-02-2003, 02:52 PM

I have a Umax Mac clone that's 6 years old. When I go to start it, I get either an "Illegal Instruction" or "Error Type 10" message shortly after booting. It says to try restarting holding the shift key to turn the extensions off and I still get the same messages.

It will also not start up from a CD by holding down the "C" key during startup, or by holding down the other method of shift/option/command/delete.

Any idea as to what I might try or what you project the problem may be? I'm in a transition from this Mac to a Dell and need to get certain files off the external hard drive.

In the past I've been able to solve most any problem, but this one has me perplexed.

marklumaye · #2 07-03-2003, 12:39 AM

How about hooking up the external drive to another or even the new computer?

If nowthing else, locate a local computer repair shop, most will be able to recover information off the hard drive.

Good luck.

NancyRaymond · #3 07-03-2003, 02:13 AM

Building on Sandman's suggestion, try finding a Mac-using friend who might be able to hook up your drive, read the old data, and burn you a CD or DVD that works in your PC. Even if the poor old clone has had it, the drive is likely still readable.

Also, your PRAM may really be hosed. Have you tried resetting the motherboard (look around for a button labeled CUDA) or zapping the PRAM (cmd-opt-P-R on startup)? Hold it down until it "bongs" 3 times.

Are any connections or chips on the motherboard loose? Wiggle everything. Don't be shy.

Finally, if all else fails, shut down, physically disconnect the hard drive, then try booting from the CD. If that works, open the "Startup Disk" control panel and set the startup disk to the CD. Then shut down again, reconnect the hard drive, and boot (it should start up from the CD). If that works, run Disk First Aid (or any better utility you may have on the startup CD) and see if the HD will then boot, or at least mount on the desktop. This worked once for me when nothing else would. (Computer and hard drive are running fine 18 months later.)

Have fun on the Dark Side!

RalphTomaccio · #4 07-03-2003, 12:11 PM

I have tried zapping the PRAM and that did not work. Someone had suggested replacing the battery. That may be a good idea, certainly worth a few bucks to try. I now remember a few years back I had startup problems with a different Mac and a new battery resolved the issue.

I realize this computer is past its prime, and it is being replaced. I was hoping to bring it home and get a few years of further enjoyment out of it before donating it to some worthwhile cause.

I have an external 18GB Barracuda SCSI hard drive that is the prime drive for it that has all my files I am hoping to retrieve. Most I have backed up, but there are a few I don't. I can't hook it up to my new computer because it's a Dell with XP Pro. But I do have a friend who may be able to help me that has a Mac.

Does the button on the motherboard do the same thing as zapping the PRAM?

I'm not afraid of getting inside a computer. In fact, I really enjoy it and the whole problem solving thing. This one simply has me stumped.

#5 07-04-2003, 05:37 PM

Ralph,

Don't lose hope, I think your problem can be solved. Have you made any modifications to the machine lately? If you've recently upgrade ram or hardware, take it back to the prvious hardware state and try again. Another thing to try are 5 or 6 quick restart attempts. This machine is kinda flaky as you already know.

Plenty of knowledge about your Umax can be found here:

http://mail.maclaunch.com/lists/supermacs/List.html

I have an old Umax c600 that I use strictly as a MP3 jukebox. Over the years I've upgraded it with a G3 card and the max allowable ram, 144MB. I'm able to make it run with OS 9.1.

I have some old parts, disks and manuals. If you get in to a bind contact me off list and I'll provide what I can.

Kennedy

marklumaye · #6 07-06-2003, 10:36 AM

Hey guys,

Just for my knowledge, is it possible to read a Mac formatted disk in a PC? I am assuming the data structure is completetly different, but I have never played with a Mac, so never have gotten to "experiment". So far I have only turtured PC's to see what damage or Frankenstien I can create.

Thanks

RalphTomaccio · #7 07-09-2003, 06:54 PM

Sorry for the delay in getting back to everyone, but I took an extended 4th of July weekend. Back to reality now and just tried a new system motheroard battery. Unfortunately, no luck - it wasn't the problem.

Now, I have to make the decision of just scraping the computer or investing a little money into having someone look at it to determine whether or not it's worth fixing.

Any other ideas out there?

Sandman,
Yes, you can recognize some Mac files on a PC. Tiff's, JPEG's and PSD's are no problem. If you want to start swapping other files/disks and have them recognized on a PC, you may want to invest in PCMacLan or similar software that allows this to happen quite well.