Mac OS ROM

[macdoug]

I have had to reformat my hard drive and partition it a second time. I have 3 partitions. One is for OS 9.2 which is 2 GB, one is for OS X that is 40.61 GB (which is not installed yet, and the third is call Shared  Apps & Docs which is 14 64 GB. I have run TechTool Pro 3.09 and everything passes except the file test, and it failed. It says that the Mac OF ROM file on OS 9 failed. What is it, and how do I fix it?  

This is the second time that this has occurred. I just had to reinstall my OS 9.2 and partition again because the whole hard drive just went kaput but it TTP showed the same thing before.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

[krissel]

You didn't state the model of machine but read THIS to get an idea of what you are dealing with re ROM in your computer.

Also, THIS will help you determine if you have the right ROM for your machine. You must have the correct ROM in your computer for the corresponding OS. Go into the Apple System profiler to see what is installed.

[macdoug]

I have a G4 that is 667 MHz, 768 MB of ram with a 60 GB hard drive. Everything is original. After checking the System Pro filer, I have Mac OS ROM file 8.3.1. I will check the links that you suggested.

[krissel]

You seem to have the correct ROM file number.

When you say the hard drive went kaput, what exactly happened? It may be easier to figure out what is wrong if you describe in more detail the problems you have had and the sequence of events. Software difficulties need to be checked out before the hardware gets blamed, though that could be a possibility.

[macdoug]

When I say that it went kaput, I mean I got the blinking question mark, and,  when I started up my computer with OS9.2 CD, there was not any sign of a hard drive. I may know what caused that, but I am not sure.

TTP was coming back reporting that the file test fail because of the Mac OS ROM. I sent an email to micromat, and they told me to take the Mac OS ROM file out of my system folder and save it somewhere. Then take the Mac OS ROM file from the installation CD and install it. That worked for the time being. It had me going for awhile though.

What I am trying to find out though is when  a person upgrades an OS, is the Mac OS ROM file automatically upgraded, too.

Thanks!

[krissel]

I'm certainly no expert on this so forgive my stumbling in the dark.

From what I've been reading the ROM file is associated with each particular OS and the specific hardware onto which it is installed.

ROM info

This makes me think that maybe dragging the ROM file from the disk wouldn't necessarily work as it hasn't been adapted to the particular machine. Or maybe the CD from which you are working is  specific to a different machine?
Just throwing out ideas here.

The specific startup order is described HERE.

Have you chosen a startup disk in the control panel after the reinstallation? Maybe zapping PRAM from a cold start would reset NVRAM and the path to the ROM file.
 

[macdoug]

I have the correct ROM file for this operating system, but I would like to know what happens when I upgrade to OS 9.2.1 and then to OS 9.2.2. Does the ROM file automatically upgrade?

I did what you suggested. I picked the OS 9.2 as my startup disk although at the present time that is the only operating system I have on my computer. I zapped the pram, rebuilt the desktop, and ran TechTool Pro 3.09. By the way it came back with a clean bill of health. I do have TechTool Pro 4 ordered, and I am planning to install OS X 10.1 then the upgrades, which I already have, to make it 10.1.5.

I don't know what happened before. The installation disk for my OS 9.2 is for an iMac, but the same ROM file is used for both computers.

[kelly]

Are you saying you installed from an imac System Disk on the G4?

Do you have a seperate one for your G4?

You should find an appropriate OS 9.x Install Disk and do a Clean Install.

Mac OS: When and Why to Perform a Clean Installation

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=30691