ibook g3 2usb problem

[filibusterman]

This is an old computer that had a problem with the vid card overheating. I fixed that issue and booted from my account fine. Unfortunately an update popped up since this mac hasn't been running for probably 2 years and I allowed it to update. Now when I restart I have the Mac OS X login screen but the option to put in a user name or password doesn't appear. Its almost like it is not fully loading the os maybe? I have all of the original os 9 and os x cd or dvds and i can boot off the os 9 install cd but not the os x one.

even If I install the os 9 via the cd when the mac reboots it still comes to this broken os x login screen. Is there anyway to just wipe the drive and just do a fresh install? Is there a special keystroke to boot from os 9 instead of X at startup?

Thanks I haven't worked much with mac's but it seams with common google searches and there was not much help that I could find easily.

 

[umrigar]

boot with Shift key down for a Safe Boot.

 

[filibusterman]

Originally posted by: umrigar
boot with Shift key down for a Safe Boot.

I tried that but sadly I come up with the same login screen where nothing can be typed

 

[umrigar]

boot into single user mode? Command S... you'll get a black screen with white text. When the prompt shows up, type fsck -fy and see if it says "" FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED ** - if so, press up on the arrow & run it again. then type exit & hit return.