Comments on: Where’s my Mac BIOS? (How to get into OpenFirmware Easily) http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/ we're here to help Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:07:30 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: A person http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-31076 A person Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:53:01 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-31076 Ok, so I recently got my hands on a Power Mac G4 with no OS whatsoever. Ive been trying to get a copy of Mac OS 9 to boot from CD but it won't for some reason. The only way I managed to get to Open Firmware was once when I mashed my keyboard. I would open it again but Im using a PC keyboard, which doesn't have a Command key. Is there a different way? Ok, so I recently got my hands on a Power Mac G4 with no OS whatsoever. Ive been trying to get a copy of Mac OS 9 to boot from CD but it won’t for some reason. The only way I managed to get to Open Firmware was once when I mashed my keyboard. I would open it again but Im using a PC keyboard, which doesn’t have a Command key. Is there a different way?

]]> By: Freddie http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-31064 Freddie Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:33:12 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-31064 Hmm... and just *why* is OpenFirmware better? Is it more robust? I can't tell from the few commands I'm seeing in this discourse. Is it easier than a BIOS? Doesn't sound like it to me. From your four-key access (only *one* key for BIOS), to all your DOS-like commands (there's a simple selection of screens in BIOS that cover all your hardware control needs), OpenFirmware looks like *more* work to me. It reminds me of the classic fdisk utilities, but without even getting a prompt with options! What happened to the "easier to use" chant I keep hearing about Macs? It's looking more and more like a Steve Jobs version of a Jedi Mind Trick on all you Mac users to me. Just saying something is easier doesn't always make it so... and for the record, my XP *never* crashes, so you can toss that rusty old chestnut in the trash bin also. But hey, keep paying the bigger dollars for the sexy-looking equipment, if that floats your boat. Hmm… and just *why* is OpenFirmware better?

Is it more robust? I can’t tell from the few commands I’m seeing in this discourse.

Is it easier than a BIOS? Doesn’t sound like it to me. From your four-key access (only *one* key for BIOS), to all your DOS-like commands (there’s a simple selection of screens in BIOS that cover all your hardware control needs), OpenFirmware looks like *more* work to me. It reminds me of the classic fdisk utilities, but without even getting a prompt with options!

What happened to the “easier to use” chant I keep hearing about Macs? It’s looking more and more like a Steve Jobs version of a Jedi Mind Trick on all you Mac users to me. Just saying something is easier doesn’t always make it so… and for the record, my XP *never* crashes, so you can toss that rusty old chestnut in the trash bin also. But hey, keep paying the bigger dollars for the sexy-looking equipment, if that floats your boat.

]]> By: namya http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-31062 namya Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:43:02 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-31062 i am also getting the same thing it keaps saying this error “LORD-SIZE is too small” after typing: boot cd:, \install\yaboot. plz HELP i am also getting the same thing it keaps saying this error “LORD-SIZE is too small” after typing: boot cd:, \install\yaboot. plz HELP

]]> By: Felipe http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-30988 Felipe Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:27:36 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-30988 Hey guys, I am trying to install Mac OS 10.5 by accessing the Openfirmware on an iMac with 1GHZ and 256MB of RAM but I keep getting this error "LORD-SIZE is too small" after typing: boot cd:, \install\yaboot What could be the problem? Thanks! Hey guys, I am trying to install Mac OS 10.5 by accessing the Openfirmware on an iMac with 1GHZ and 256MB of RAM but I keep getting this error “LORD-SIZE is too small” after typing: boot cd:, \install\yaboot

What could be the problem? Thanks!

]]> By: Macie http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-30987 Macie Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:57:51 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-30987 CAM... U just fired an never ending war against Mac and PCs. The PC are called IBM clones and Mac clones CAM…

U just fired an never ending war against Mac and PCs.
The PC are called IBM clones and Mac clones

]]> By: Cam http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-18601 Cam Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:58:26 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-18601 Sounds cool your Macs. I started from Dos on a 286 and taught myself up through to vista 64, putting together hundreds of mainboards, video cards, Cpu's, memory, bios upgrades and drive combinations. Eventually settling on xp pro fine tuned like a stradaverus, rock solid no leaks back to redmond. What I'm getting at those who have not been down this path, and are using a playstation counterpart of a PC, have missed the thrill and satisfaction of the challenge of a complicated elecronic modular puzzle that is a PC, and that because it is so versatile, in the right hands can take you further into unknown realms, if you know how. Still respect your Macs. To me Mac's are clostraphobic, only my opinion. Sounds cool your Macs. I started from Dos on a 286 and taught myself
up through to vista 64, putting together hundreds of mainboards, video cards, Cpu’s, memory, bios upgrades and drive combinations.
Eventually settling on xp pro fine tuned like a stradaverus, rock solid no leaks
back to redmond.
What I’m getting at those who have not been down this path, and are using
a playstation counterpart of a PC, have missed the thrill and satisfaction of
the challenge of a complicated elecronic modular puzzle that is a PC,
and that because it is so versatile, in the right hands can take you further
into unknown realms, if you know how.
Still respect your Macs. To me Mac’s are clostraphobic, only my opinion.

]]> By: Bob http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-18423 Bob Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:48:35 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-18423 can I remove macs operating sistem on a mac and install xp pro can I remove macs operating sistem on a mac and install xp pro

]]> By: Anonymous http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-16112 Anonymous Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:25:40 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-16112 command button is the one with the apple symbol on it. command button is the one with the apple symbol on it.

]]> By: nazmul alam http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-9880 nazmul alam Sat, 19 Apr 2008 20:21:48 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-9880 hi, i hve apple laptop macbook frm my friend(u.k).he gift me this macbook laptop without any dvds or cds.nw its start bt nt operating system windows vista start. Apple MacBook Model no: A1181 after start show me messages windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem: 1.Insert your windows installation disc and restart your computer. 2.choose your language setting, and then click "Next." 3.Click "Repair your computer." If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance. File: NETIO.SYS Status: 0xc0000098 info: windows failed to load because a required file is missing,or corrupt. Plz help me how can i do start operating system windows vista.i cnt speak enough english. plz send me solutions in my email address.please.....help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee............................ hi, i hve apple laptop macbook frm my friend(u.k).he gift me this macbook laptop without any dvds or cds.nw its start bt nt operating system windows vista start.

Apple MacBook
Model no: A1181

after start show me messages

windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:

1.Insert your windows installation disc and restart your computer.
2.choose your language setting, and then click “Next.”
3.Click “Repair your computer.”

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.

File: NETIO.SYS

Status: 0xc0000098

info: windows failed to load because a required file is missing,or corrupt.

Plz help me how can i do start operating system windows vista.i cnt speak enough english. plz send me solutions in my email address.please…..help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee……………………….

]]> By: zaid http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-6017 zaid Mon, 21 Jan 2008 07:00:07 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-6017 where is command button on keyboard where is command button on keyboard

]]> By: blandname http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-4951 blandname Sat, 24 Nov 2007 18:32:42 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-4951 OK it sounds like can at least get into open firmware - try typing <code>boot cd</code> Does that work? OK it sounds like can at least get into open firmware – try typing boot cd
Does that work?

]]> By: Tahir http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-4949 Tahir Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:39:48 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-4949 I have two MacMinis home. Install of Leopard worked just fine on Intel with no problems. It is the powerpc one that got stuck like this. My problem in fact is now not getting cd out but somehow making MacMini start (boot). Above you have a comment about booting for Linux. How about for mac, t force it to cd boot? Believe "mac-boot" would take me to original setting which is hard drive and that somehow does not work. I have two MacMinis home. Install of Leopard worked just fine on Intel with no problems. It is the powerpc one that got stuck like this.
My problem in fact is now not getting cd out but somehow making MacMini start (boot).
Above you have a comment about booting for Linux. How about for mac, t force it to cd boot?
Believe “mac-boot” would take me to original setting which is hard drive and that somehow does not work.

]]> By: blandname http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-4948 blandname Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:32:31 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-4948 Are you using a newer Intel-based Mac Mini by chance? In this case, try holding down the option key on your keyboard if it's a Mac keyboard, otherwise, try the F12 key on your PC keyboard. Are you using a newer Intel-based Mac Mini by chance?
In this case, try holding down the option key on your keyboard if it’s a Mac keyboard, otherwise, try the F12 key on your PC keyboard.

]]> By: Tahir http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-4947 Tahir Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:10:17 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-4947 I was trying to install Leopard to my MacMini and things got funny. Now I could not get it started. Press the power button, it starts, sound and then truning wheel...and then it stops. I had my Tiger cd inside and couldn't get out, the keyboard eject didn't help, etc. Try and error I found above as well (accessing BIOS and ejecting). However, I still could not get it going? Question; - how do you create a "start up" cd in Mac? ıs there such a thing? - what else could you suggest? Many thanks. I was trying to install Leopard to my MacMini and things got funny. Now I could not get it started. Press the power button, it starts, sound and then truning wheel…and then it stops. I had my Tiger cd inside and couldn’t get out, the keyboard eject didn’t help, etc.
Try and error I found above as well (accessing BIOS and ejecting). However, I still could not get it going?
Question;
- how do you create a “start up” cd in Mac? ıs there such a thing?
- what else could you suggest?
Many thanks.

]]> By: blandname http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-2007 blandname Thu, 26 Jul 2007 01:40:09 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-2007 Actually, guys, the new Macs use EFI, and there is no built-in shell access to it yet. On the other hand, if you are interested in getting your feet wet with EFI on an Intel Apple Mac, you may want to checkout rEFIt which is like BootCamp, only supports other operating systems as well. Otherwise, holding the eject key on the keyboard will work, so will holding the mouse button down during boot up. I have yet to get a disc stuck in newer Macs and not have either of these work - aside from the occasional drive failure. Actually, guys, the new Macs use EFI, and there is no built-in shell access to it yet.
On the other hand, if you are interested in getting your feet wet with EFI on an Intel Apple Mac, you may want to checkout rEFIt which is like BootCamp, only supports other operating systems as well.

Otherwise, holding the eject key on the keyboard will work, so will holding the mouse button down during boot up. I have yet to get a disc stuck in newer Macs and not have either of these work – aside from the occasional drive failure.

]]> By: Tim de Vries http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-1993 Tim de Vries Tue, 24 Jul 2007 17:54:39 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-1993 have you tried it yet, techman? If it's an apple, and with how they've been fairly consistent over the years, I would guess so. It does with an iMac. have you tried it yet, techman? If it’s an apple, and with how they’ve been fairly consistent over the years, I would guess so. It does with an iMac.

]]> By: Tim de Vries http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-1992 Tim de Vries Tue, 24 Jul 2007 17:53:41 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-1992 have you tried it yet, techman? have you tried it yet, techman?

]]> By: blandname · Access Your Computer’s BIOS http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/comment-page-1/#comment-9 blandname · Access Your Computer’s BIOS Thu, 21 Sep 2006 17:40:54 +0000 http://blandname.com/2006/09/20/wheres-my-mac-bios-how-to-get-into-openfirmware-easily/#comment-9 [...] UPDATE - Many people have asked me to write an article about accessing a Macintosh BIOS, so here it is! [...] [...] UPDATE – Many people have asked me to write an article about accessing a Macintosh BIOS, so here it is! [...]

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