Msterbeau Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 When I first installed OSx86, I started with a clean drive and partitioned it into three spaces. One for WinXP, one for OSx86 and one for shared data. WinXP went in first and I was intending for it to provide the dual boot software (Acronis OS Selector). Sometime during the various install procedures and sorting out the after install issues, Win XP became unbootable and I was having trouble with OSx86 as well. Since I'm not really experienced at this I decided to wipe out the WinXP partition and worry about dealing with dual boot later. Well... That helped and it didn't. I can't boot directly from the hard drive. If I power it up without the install DVD in place all I get is "Error Loading Booter". If put the DVD in, I get an error "System config file '/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration.com.apple.boot.plist' not found". Pressing F8 at this point gets me a shell dialog that allows me to select between starting from the DVD or the hardrive system. I select the system and it boots. One additional thing. If I try to startup from the hardrive and it fails (of course) then the next time I reboot from the install DVD, I have to let it load up the installer and then get to where I can select Utilities>StartupDisk>(My hardrive) and then restart before I can get to the shell screen that allows me to actually boot from the hardrive. I haven't found anything that's helped me figure out what's going on with the MBR and the missing boot file. Do I simply need to replace it? Any help would be appreciated. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/46658-boot-problem-can-only-start-system-with-install-dvd/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msterbeau Posted May 20, 2007 Author Share Posted May 20, 2007 This is pissing me off... I decided to try a fresh install to cure my problem. Thought I'd see if the update to 10.4.9 would work for me, as well. Using Profitt42's install guide (Stand alone) with the Jas 10.4.8 DVD got me nowhere. I can't even boot into the system with the CD in place as before. All I get is the usual: com.apple.Boot.plist not found. I tried using fdisk to move the MBR to the proper place on the disk and made sure that that disk and the proper partition are the one that's active. I'm not understanding why this is causing so many headaches and why I can't even get it back as before, which was running smoothly, except for the boot problem. Some please toss some ideas my way. OK... I never saw this thread before: http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=41668 Sounds like I may need to track down the updated Disk Utility and re-burn the disk image.... *sigh* Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/46658-boot-problem-can-only-start-system-with-install-dvd/#findComment-368854 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahbau Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 Sounds similar to the problem I was having getting my boyfriend's PC to boot to OS X. I didn't see the options button (lol), but I ended up getting it to work after partitioning the drive using QtParted. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/46658-boot-problem-can-only-start-system-with-install-dvd/#findComment-369064 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msterbeau Posted May 20, 2007 Author Share Posted May 20, 2007 Sounds similar to the problem I was having getting my boyfriend's PC to boot to OS X. I didn't see the options button (lol), but I ended up getting it to work after partitioning the drive using QtParted. Looks like QTParted is a Linux app. I assume that means you have Linux as one of your systems, or is it on a CD like Hiren's? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/46658-boot-problem-can-only-start-system-with-install-dvd/#findComment-369287 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahbau Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 Looks like QTParted is a Linux app. I assume that means you have Linux as one of your systems, or is it on a CD like Hiren's? I had it on my Ultimate Boot CD. You don't need to use it though. You probably do need to repartition your drive though. In Disk Utility, in the Partition pane, click on Options at the bottom, and choose "Master Boot Record" before partitioning it. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/46658-boot-problem-can-only-start-system-with-install-dvd/#findComment-369291 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msterbeau Posted May 20, 2007 Author Share Posted May 20, 2007 I had it on my Ultimate Boot CD. You don't need to use it though. You probably do need to repartition your drive though. In Disk Utility, in the Partition pane, click on Options at the bottom, and choose "Master Boot Record" before partitioning it. I have the same problem as others. I don't get that choice. There is no "option" available and thus we can't select the MBR option... I have Hiren's. I'll just use PM to format and set the partition active. I'm assuming that will do the same thing as what QTParted does since it's a port of PM. And before I forget my manners.... Thanks for responding. :-) Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/46658-boot-problem-can-only-start-system-with-install-dvd/#findComment-369363 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msterbeau Posted May 21, 2007 Author Share Posted May 21, 2007 Success! I reformatted and repartitioned using Acronis Disk Director then installed. Booted first time after install and subsequent re-boots were flawless and fast. Now to fix a few issues... networking and high-speed USB. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/46658-boot-problem-can-only-start-system-with-install-dvd/#findComment-369656 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahbau Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Nice Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/46658-boot-problem-can-only-start-system-with-install-dvd/#findComment-369716 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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