here's the problem...

i'm working on my friend's Performa 6500...
the thing crashed and they already initialized the hd (i would've tried
to save it, but whatever).

so the hd is blank...  then i try to install mac os 8 from the cd.  but i
can't cause there's not enough memory  (problem 2- the ram disk (32mb)
shows up on the desktop as usable space for docs n stuff)  so now i'm
trying to install os8, but can't cause the installer needs 3000k, but i
don't have it, cause the macos on the cd is using 29+mb just for the
finder.

problem 3- so today i tried zapping the pram by restarting 5 times.  the
disk still showed up.  then i tried to avoid the "please initialize or
eject this (ramdisk) disk"  and run firstaid by opening it between
"cancel"'s with my superior mouse skills.  cause i'm thinking that
somehow by someone initializing the ramdisk it changed the way the os
looks at it.  anyway, i run first aid...  it can't do anything with the
ram disk cause it's not HFS.

firstaid says the HD is "okay".

problem 4- so i shut down.  but now it won't even start up!  the performa
is weird in how the keyboard is the only way to start up...  there's a
button that looks like it should be power (near the video cable port) but
it doesn't work that way (or i just can't seem to make it work).  anyway,
so i check all connections, even use a different power cord...  no luck.

okay, now's your turn...  what would you do from here?  no power...  even
when i get power, no ram.  (btw, i checked all the connections internally
(ram, ethernet))

in a pickle,
ryan