Macintosh LCIII question about system software

Yes, the blinking question mark indicates that the computer cannot locate a valid system folder. However, unless files on the hard disk were previously securely deleted/erased/overwritten, the files are still there (and may return once the computer is properly working again).

You could make an attempt to start up again while pressing the four keys Command(Apple), Option(Alt), P and R. Hold down the keys until a second startup sound is heard. This may not change anything, though.

Otherwise, you will need a startup diskette (such as a Disk Tools floppy) in order to allow the computer to boot from the floppy drive. Next, the hard disk must be erased. The HD SC Setup utility (found on Disk Tools) can often be used for this. A special wiping utility (for example, Burn 2.5) may be useful, too. A friend could perhaps help you. A System Folder copied to the hard disk from a Network Access Disk 7.5 floppy can act as a temporary operating system on the empty hard disk. The supported operating system versions can be found here:

Macintosh LC III: Technical Specifications - Apple Support

If nothing else works, I suggest that you open the computer and remove the internal SCSI hard drive. You could then sell the LC III without a hard drive. You could keep the removed hard drive (or destroy it, if necessary).

Do not hesitate to post back if there are additional questions.

Thank you Jan for the journey back in time. It is funny we called those floppy disks in that machine, when before that with the Apple II, we truly had the "floppy" disk. Oh, what we could do with a 4MB machine in those days.

Hello Mac Jim ID,

... and a 1.4 MB floppy was sometimes sufficient for an operating system as well as a few applications. Many old Macintosh computers are by the way still perfectly usable (at least for work that does not require web access).

It is quite easy. Of course, disconnect the computer from the mains before you begin. You may have to remove a screw on the back of the computer. Then release two tabs. Carefully remove the top. The removal of the SCSI hard drive is almost self-explanatory. For details/pictures, I suggest that you try a web search for something like Macintosh LC III disassembly, replace hard drive Macintosh LC III and/or Macintosh LC III repair. Good luck!

You're welcome!

Just an addendum. If you so wish, you could inform a buyer of the LC III without the internal hard drive that there are modern substitutes available (BlueSCSI, SCSI2SD, ZuluSCSI, etc) using storage on an SD memory card. Some used SCSI hard drives compatible with an LC III may also be found on online auction sites, but they are usually rather expensive (and buying a used hard drive can be somewhat risky).

https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=Macintosh+LCIII+takeapart&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

On Atari computers we called the 3.5" Floppies... Flippies! :)

Great, good luck my friend:)