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PowerMac BIOS??

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  #1  
Old 09-05-2004
TechSpot Member
 
Location: North Attleboro MA
Member since: Mar 2004, 118 posts
PowerMac BIOS??

I have an old PowerMacintosh 8600/250 wit the PowerPC 604e CPU,running MacOS 8.6.Build date of 8/6/97 and i was just wondering how ,if at all possible to get into BIOS settings.
this is my first Mac that runs at all LOL.
thanks all

Last edited by Raiders; 09-05-2004 at 10:15 AM..
  #2  
Old 09-05-2004
MYOB's Avatar
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Location: Dublin, Ireland
Member since: Apr 2002, 527 posts
Yes, is possible to get into the 'BIOS' (OpenFirmware), but its well nigh impossible to set it up right

Firstly, you need to figure out what port on the back is Serial 1. Its usually the Modem GeoPort. Then you need to get a convertor lead to convert that to a standard DB9 serial.

Connect that serial to another computer or a serial console, set up a serial communication programme like HyperTerminal to 9,600/8N1. This will let you into the 'BIOS'.

Now, power on the machine whilst holding Apple-Option-O-F. This requires three hands, or a very big reach one two hands.

If you're very, very lucky the HyperTerminal will then pick up the 'BIOS' settings terminal.

Note that you can completely bugger the system up doing this.
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