[G4] Error of type -127

[June Parlett]

Well I got my FireLite  20 GB HardDrive, and it is only firewire 
compatible. My iMac is not. My iMac is in trouble, not the G4. So much 
for the idea to connect the other 20 GB drive to the iMac. Now I really 
feel stupid, because I realize that there are somethings that I can 
understand and do, but I need help understanding the HardDrive issue.
#1 Since I realized that I didn't have a compatible external Hard drive 
for the iMac for which I wish to save my priceless files, I thought I 
could acquire a USB Harddrive. I couldn't connect via File sharing 
because the extensions are turned off on the iMac. I wanted to try to 
save the files before zaping the PRAM.
I used my NAPP corporate discount on PC MALL to check on USB external 
harddrives. Has something changed in the pricing recently?
#2. Please excuse me but I do not understand how to format any external 
HARD Drive. The instructions for the FireLite, read quite easily, 
insert FireLite installation CD into CD-Rom drive. Install, and Connect 
one end of the Firewire cable to an open firewire port on the computer. 
Connect the other end of the cable to the Firewire port on the Fire 
Lite. Is this the type of HD that is not formattable with a System 
Folder? and the Ones that I have been looking at on the PC Mall Site 
cost $161-$300, depending on their capacity, are these the ones that 
can be formatted with a system Folder. Do I have to go about the 
process of Formatting it like I would for an internal HDD? Please, 
advise as this is new territory for me. I could spring for a USB HDD 
Iomega 80 Harddrive for $184 or a 20 GB Harddrive for $161. Are the 
more expensive ones the ones that can be formated with a valid OS 9.2.2 
System Folder, and the FireLite 20 HardDrive cannot?  I don't know. 
Well I am going to connect it up, and if it can be formatted let me 
know and I'll do that, for backup for my G4. But it will not help out 
with the iMac problem unfortunately at the moment.
#3 I am trying to recover the data from the iMac. Would it be possible 
to purchase a Firewire pci card for the iMac, so I could use this 
Harddrive? I do have a Zip drive as well that is USB, and I have a La 
Cie CD Writer, but it is my understanding that they won't work with 
extensions off. I also tried to connect to the internet with the 
extensions off, that was a fiasco. It started to install IE and 
crashed. OH my. OK, I now know I shouldn't have tried to do that. 
Advise me, before I zap that damn PRAM
I still don't understand how Zapping the Pram will fix anything. If you 
think otherwise, clue me in.
June
On Thursday, February 27, 2003, at 10:23 AM, Brian Conner wrote:

> June, whichever way is easier for you to be able to copy your priceless
> files from the boot drive in your G4 is the one you should do.
>
> Then, after you connect that other 20GB drive to the G4 (I assume the 
> 20GB
> drive has a valid OS 9.2.2 System Folder or an OS X System folder) you
> should change the Startup folder to the System folder on the 20GB 
> drive.
> Start up one time to that drive and see if everything starts up fine. 
> Then
> put the Disk Warrior CD (or whichever maintenance app CD you have) in 
> the CD
> drive and boot to the CD.
>
> Let us know if DW recognizes your original boot drive and can repair 
> it. You
> may need to re-format that drive and start over, re-installing the OS 
> and
> all your apps. If so, consider that a good thing. All HDDs need to be
> refreshed with a new formatting every now and again. If you need to go 
> that
> route, then use Apple Disk Utility to Erase the drive first, then 
> Partition
> it. First make sure you have all your serial numbers and such 
> available for
> re-installing all your apps.
>
> HTH.
>
>
> Brian Conner
>