Robert Bob cried:

>Suffering from system collapse here...was debugging a program in OS 9.2.2
>(was faster turnaround than in Classic), had to do a hard restart , and now
>the thing flashes the Mac Icon, alternating with the ? System icon...
>
>I thought zapping the PRAM would result in a restart into OS X at least,
>but nothing...same.
>
>Am I going to have to reinstall everything???
>
>OS 8.6 didn't do me wrong like this combo nightmare of 9 and X.
>
>Arrrrrrrgh. Me fears for me files.


Corrupted boot blocks.


Best solution:

Boot from DiskWarrior CD and prepare to let it run for hours fixing 
things (most of the time appearing that DiskWarrior is stalled). Rest 
easy with DiskWarrior, your data will survive unscathed. (This 
assumes you have a Classic bootable G4. If not, express your 
sentiments to Stevie for stranding you up the creek without a paddle.)


Desperation Solution 1:

Boot from Jaguar (or OS X) install disk. Launch Disk Utility and hope 
it will see and repair the disk. (But don't be surprised if it 
doesn't.)


Desparation Solution 2:
Boot from another hard drive with a Classic system and DiskWarrior 
installed on it and perform repair on the kaput drive.

Ken