Mac installation problem

Heresy

Well lads, I've got this crummy iMac here beside me with no OS on it whatsoever. I'm trying (in vain) to install OS classic or OS X onto it but it just won't.
When I try classic it comes up with a message that it can't read a file from 'installation tome'?? I thought maybe my cd is corrupt in some way so I copied all the files from my cd onto one of the partitions. That worked but I got the same error message when I ran the installation.
When I try OS X it just crashes, total freeze. Any suggestions (apart from throwing the lug of shoite out the window)?

TheWolf

Does the install disk work in any other computer? Can you get your hands on another disk and try running that on your machine?

Problem may not be the disks themselves, could be a H/W issue

(edit, whipped this off the apple knowledge base, hope it helps)

TOPIC
When performing a clean installation of Mac OS 8.5, this error message may appear:


"Problems were encountered reading the source file "Installation Tome". Installation cannot continue."

This article describes the options available for resolving the situation.

---

DISCUSSION
A tome error is usually related to difficulties reading the installation disc.


1. If you encounter this error while installing software from a disk image, unmount the disk image from the desktop and try remounting the image using Disk Copy. If the image successfully mounts, try running the installer application from the mounted image once again.
2. Next, make sure the disc is clean. Clean the data side of the disc by using a dry, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the CD from the spindle hole to the outer edge. Do not wipe in a circular fashion. If you have a CD-ROM lens cleaner disc, use that to clean the drive.



If the issue persists, it may be due to an incompatible hardware. Try one or more of the following:

Disconnect any external devices from the computer other than the display, and the Apple mouse and keyboard.
Check to ensure that the proper RAM has been installed in the computer. Some computers require certain RAM speeds, or that RAM be installed in matching pairs. For more information, see article 20025: "Apple Memory Guide."
Check the internal cabling connecting SCSI or ATA devices to see if the cable has become crimped or wadded causing internal damage, or physically pierced by an internal protrusion.
Remove any internal hardware added post-factory drives or accelerators.


Often the suspect software components can be bypassed by using alternative methods to install the software. Two alternative methods of installing the software that usually work are:

Connect an external CD-ROM drive to the computer and use it to install the software.
Put the disc into the CD-ROM drive of another computer that can be accessed over a network. Share the disc using File Sharing and then install the software over the network.


If difficulties persist, and you suspect the cache DIMM as a possible cause, see article 22186: "5500/6500 L2 Cache Disable Extension: What is it?" Then contact your local Apple Authorized Service Provider for further troubleshooting.

Note: If you are attempting to install Mac OS 8.5 or later on a computer with a PowerPC upgrade card installed, you may also get this error. Mac OS version 8.5 and higher do not support PowerPC upgrade cards.

Heresy

Thanks for your help wolf.
I tried both cds on another mac and they install fine, must be a hardware thing. The s/w on the cd is not an image either so I need to look into maybe getting my hands on another installation cd or maybe an external cd rom. Thanks again.

Rob

Kenz

Heresy... Have you tried resetting the PRAM??? I find this works miracles when my MACs start acting funny. In case you don't know how to do this, follow these steps:

1. Turn off machine
2. Hold down Alt+Apple button plus R and P buttons.
3. Restart your machine (you may need three hands to do this now, or quickly turn on machine and retake the key positions), while still holding the keys in step two.
4. When the machine starts you hear that annoying "BONG" noise, release the keys and quickly hold them down again. Do this again when you hear the next "BONG" sound. When you've the third "BONG" sound you let go of the keys and let the machine start as normal.

Once the machine has started, try and install OSX and see how that goes.
I've seen the problem in OSX installation that you've described before, and resetting the PRAM has worked for me and also an other occasions it hasn't worked. Give it a go anyway.

If the instructions aren't clear enough, let me know and I'll try and make them clearer.