Patricia Henwood

Q: Gifting a PowerBook G4 to a friend - how to proceed?

I have a PowerBook G4 which is surplus to requirements.  I would like to give it to a friend who has never used a computer before.  I have the original installation disks (it shipped with 10.3.3), the Apple Care Recovery Disks and also an installation disk for Leopard (which was the last OS I upgraded the PowerBook to).

 

Obviously, at the moment the PB has all my information, programs etc. on it even though it hasn't been used for several years.  I've just turned it on and discovered that it seems to still be in good working order, however, I don't want to give away something that will be problematic for my friend, who's always been rather 'computer phobic'.  My thinking is that if she just gets used to checking things out on the Internet and gets herself an email account she'll be able to gain confidence.

 

Would someone please suggest how I should proceed.  I'm thinking that I should do a complete erase and install with the original disks and then install Leopard and then download the 10.5.8 combo update  but perhaps there's a better way?


Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.


Cheers

Tricia



Posted on Sep 30, 2014 2:10 AM

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Q: Gifting a PowerBook G4 to a friend - how to proceed?

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  • by Roger Wilmut1,Helpful

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Sep 30, 2014 2:19 AM in response to Patricia Henwood
    Level 9 (78,198 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 30, 2014 2:19 AM in response to Patricia Henwood

    Patricia Henwood wrote:

     

    I'm thinking that I should do a complete erase and install with the original disks and then install Leopard and then download the 10.5.8 combo update

    That is the correct procedure, so that you remove all your data and restore it to 'as new'. You will need to include both the original install disks and the Leopard retail disk with the Mac; and note that you cannot pass on any software you added to it beyond the applications included with the install, since it is licensed to you and no-one else.

  • by Patricia Henwood,

    Patricia Henwood Patricia Henwood Sep 30, 2014 2:46 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 3 (937 points)
    Sep 30, 2014 2:46 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    Many thanks for the prompt response Roger.  Another thing just occurred to me - obviously, she won't have a wireless network or anything at home - how will she connect to the Internet using this PowerBook?  If my memory serves me well I used to have a cable (don't remember what type) that I plugged into the PowerBook on one end and into the phone socket on the other - it was a few years ago now and I've completely forgotten the procedure.  She does have a landline so I guess she could get ADSL?

     

    One further question - I'm assuming that when I do a re-install of the software I'll be able to change the language from English to Italian - I seem to remember it comes up right at the beginning?

     

    Cheers

    Tricia

  • by Roger Wilmut1,Solvedanswer

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Sep 30, 2014 3:20 AM in response to Patricia Henwood
    Level 9 (78,198 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 30, 2014 3:20 AM in response to Patricia Henwood

    Erase and install will bring you back to square one so you (or she) can set up the language to suit.

     

    She will need to choose an internet provider and get a modem/wireless router either from them or separately. She could use an ethernet cable to connect to a simple modem but it seems silly to limit a laptop that way.