MAC doesn\'t boot

[Kitten]

I have a second handed MAC, which is the kind that doesn\'t come with a floppy.  The operating system was messed up when i got it, it doesn\'t boot, just came up with a question mark.  I tried to install OS 9 on it, it won\'t take it, says the BIOS is outdated.  I tried to update the BIOS, didn\'t succeed.
I figure: if I can find an older operating system to install on it, it might work, I\'ll just upgrade it once it boots up.  any body has any idea how to do it?

[Anonymous]

have you tried zapping the PRAM?

Resetting PRAM on iMac, iBook, and Power Mac computers

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Press the power button to turn the computer on. You will hear the computer\'s startup sound.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.