Startup problem

[G40]

My G4 DA has 2 drives, one is used for system files (9.2.2) and apps, the other is for audio and other data. It's started giving me trouble at startup, not identifying the system drive and giving a flashing ? / MacOS logo.

It will boot fine from a system CD and sometimes identifies the system drive without issue.

Could do with some pointers. Apologies if I'm being stupid or missing something obvious, I'm a recent returner to OS9 and I was never much of a Mac nerd.

Some pics below... ignore the USB drive, I've just removed it and it's not making any difference to anything.

[FBz]

Maybe begin by naming your "System" drive, something other than "System".

And then upon reboot afterwards, rebuild your desktop.

[G40]

No change.

[ssp3]

Reset PRAM.
Run DiskWarrior.

[FBz]

What he said.

Except maybe wait on Disk Warrior until after.
(As you've been away from Macs for awhile.)

If it boots after PRAM reset, run Disk First Aid.
(Under Applications / Utilities)

[G40]

Thanks guys.

Still not booting after PRAM reset (unless I am doing it wrong - I held down command-option-p-r for long enough that it played the startup sound four times - the clock did not reset but not sure if that’s held in PRAM).

Have already tried Disk First Aid - it found no fault with the drives.

[G40]

Right, I've also run Diskwarrior and rebuilt the system drive. Still the same.

[smilesdavis]

just out of curiosity what is your goal to run once you get os9 going? which apps or plugins motivated you?

[G40]

just out of curiosity what is your goal to run once you get os9 going? which apps or plugins motivated you?

http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,1991.msg50644.html#msg50644

[FBz]

Have sent you a PM.

[G40]

Sorted - IDE cable wasn't properly seated. Thanks FBz!