All the troubleshooting assistance found here has been re-written and updated in my Macintosh Troubleshooting book: 'Fix a troubled Mac'

Available to purchase ($15), from the KAGI online store.

These Procedures are for any Macintosh that can boot into Mac OS 9.2.2 or earlier. If you need Mac OS X bootable only Support, go here

Startup Problems
(freeze during Extensions load or Finder load)

For more extensive information go to Troubleshooting an unstable finder section

This is a step by step guide.

  1. Restart with disabled extensions, shutdown, restart as normal.

  2. Restart with disabled extensions again to bypass conflict & try the following steps:

    • Use [shift key] on Finder load to disable startup items that may crash Finder load process. (Remove items if problematic)

    • temporarily move items in Servers Folder , and the Appleshare Prep Preference to Desktop. (Trash if cause of problem)

    • Trash SerialShimLib Extension and ObjectSupportLib Extension (these are no longer used in Mac OS 9)

    • Move the following: Finder, System, MacOS preferences to the desktop, then Open Memory Control Panel, and turn OFF Virtual memory and Restart

  3. Rebuild desktop [cmd-opt] on Finder load, Reset PRAM [cmd-opt-P-R] on Restart

  4. Restart & Boot off CD-ROM ('c' key on startup) or Boot off Firewire Disk (option key on startup)

    • Run diagnostic utilites & verify if MacOS/peripheral/network/viruses issue

    • Move entire Preference folder to desktop if problems persist

    • Replace corrupt Finder files, (also check for correct Mac ROM, enabler & other firmware for that model)

  5. Reset CUDA switch and verify RAM, cache, processor, graphics and expansion cards seated correctly. Sometimes the Mac OS does not detect hardware problems on startup and problems only occur when certain extensions or applications address specific hardware components.

  6. Replace PRAM battery if system does not keep the date. (Refer to Service Manual for Powerbooks)

  7. Reinstall Clean MacOS (erase, or reformat drive & zero all data as option, update drivers if required by MacOS) (also see How to Update the Mac OS section)