Mac OS 9: Stops Responding at System Startup Time

Symptom

In certain circumstances a hard disk can become extremely fragmented and fail to work as a startup disk when Mac OS 9.0.x is installed. When starting up you may see the "happy Macintosh" icon, but then the computer stops responding. This may happen if the hard disk is nearly full, or if there are a very large number of files and constant file activity on the hard disk, such as a busy AppleShare IP server running Macintosh Manager.

Solution

1. Download Disk First Aid 8.6 from Apple Software Updates at http://www.apple.com/swupdates/.
2. Use Disk First Aid 8.6 to repair the disk.

Note: Disk First Aid 8.6 is not a defragmentation utility. If you are operating an AppleShare IP server or Macintosh Manager server under heavy load you should also download and install AppleShare IP 9.0.4 Update from the Apple Software Updates Web site at http://www.apple.com/swupdates.

Installing Disk First Aid 8.6 onto a computer that will not start up

There are many ways to work around this issue. The method you use depends on whether the affected computer is on a network, what types of removable media (floppy, Zip, and SuperDisk disks, for example) are available to the affected computer, and which types of available removable media can be used when started up from a CD-ROM disc. Consider some of these methods:

• When the affected computer is on a network and will not finish starting up, download Disk First Aid 8.6 to another computer on the network. Start up the affected computer from a CD-ROM disc, then use AppleShare in the Chooser to connect to the computer that has Disk First Aid 8.6.
• When the affected computer has a partitioned hard disk or more than one hard drive, start up from an alternate partition or drive, then download Disk First Aid 8.6 directly to the affected computer. If there is not a System Folder on the alternate drive or partition, start up from a CD-ROM disc to install one.
• When the affected computer is connected to a removable media drive that can be used when started up from a CD-ROM disc but is not on a network and is not partitioned or connected to more than one hard drive, download Disk First Aid 8.6 at a remote location and place it on the removable media. Start up the affected computer from a CD-ROM disc and use the removable media to access Disk First Aid 8.6.
• If you have access to a CD burner, you may create a startup disc that has Disk First Aid 8.6 on it.