Mac OS 8.6

I was working along nicely on my Mac when it began freezing. Then it progressed to "booting, but not quite all the way" before it froze. Now it won't boot at all - the buttons are lighted, and I hear whirring and clicking, but the screen remains gray. I do not have any software CD's (lost them in the divorce). I do not have a CD burner to back up before I try something radical. I do not have a disk drive (lost that in the divorce, too). I love my Mac, and the local repair dudes make fun of me when I come in with it, so that is not an option. I've unplugged and replugged multiple times. Turned it on without extensions. It just gets worse. Any suggestions (other than jumping out the window)? TIA.

 

From ur description it sounds like the HD has gone. Clicking/whirring on a old Imac is never a good sign.

Can u not get a OS.8.6 software restore CD from somewhere? Possibly u might get a cheap one on ebay.... If so u can boot from CD to save ur files on the HD.

 

Replacing the battery has fixed similar problems in the past, for some people. Not saying this will fix your's, but it wouldn't hurt to try it. I think they run about $15 at Radio Shack. Chances are, RS will have to order it. You'll need to take the old one in, so they can get the number off it. It should be on the motherboard.
Good luck!