superholic

Q: How can I find out which install discs iBook G4 needs?

I have an old iBook G4 that I would like to sell and want to restore and clean all my data off before doing so. It was given to me by a friend years ago and they did not give me the install discs with it so I am trying to track down a set. I called Apple recently and they were not able to sell/send me the discs because of how old the computer is, so I am looking to buy a set on ebay instead. I've already ordered the wrong set once so I want to make sure I get the right ones this time.

 

Specs:

OS: 10.4.11

Memory: 512 MB

Model: PowerBook 6,7

CPU: PowerPC G4 (1.5)

CPU Speed: 1.42 GHz

Model Number: A1134

 

I'm looking at a set on ebay (2Z691-5728-A) that I believe may be the right set, but maybe someone here can confirm that for me before I buy, or direct me to some sort of database that might tell me which discs are right for this computer.

 

Thanks in advance for any help!

iBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Nov 12, 2015 1:02 PM

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Q: How can I find out which install discs iBook G4 needs?

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  • by K Shaffer,Solvedanswer

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Nov 12, 2015 3:13 PM in response to superholic
    Level 6 (14,367 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 12, 2015 3:13 PM in response to superholic

    The software you found on ebay may not be correct for the iBook G4 14-inch (mid-2005) last model

    portable computer you have. -- How did you arrive at the selection of the part number to try to get?

     

    Was the contact at Apple support able to tell you anything specific about your computer and OS

    version when you talked to them? Usually your choice of replacement software would be based

    on model build year and other details, and in several instances, the product serial number....

    a lookup service by serial number such as powerbookmedic has on their site, may help somewhat.

    https://www.powerbookmedic.com/identify-mac-serial.php  sometimes older unit info goes missing.

     

    Screen Shot 2015-11-12 at 12.56.09 PM.png

     

    At least you have good identifiers in your post. I have the 12-inch 1.33GHz (mid-2005) model that

    was an early build since it shipped with an older version of Tiger 10.4 on its special install DVD set.

     

    Model Number    A1133 (12.1-inch) A1134 (14.1-inch)

    Order Number    M9846LL/A (12.1-inch), M9848LL/A (14.1-inch)

     

    There does not appear to be a visible difference in the install restore DVD kit for the 12-inch & 14-

    inch Mid-2005 iBook G4; so that may not be a consideration at this late a date. The DVD would have

    to be from the correct vintage iBook G4 series; generally it provides drivers for that build of hardware

    and other details that changed along with the specifications, and firmware.

     

    A later build would also need to have the set that one shipped with. -- Or, you could be looking to get

    iLife '06 DVD, and a retail Leopard 10.5 DVD; and try to restore a new later OS X with some of the

    applications from this other media. The retail OS X 10.5.x DVD would be costly, and no longer is

    available from Apple. There had been a replacement white label (not for resale) DVD of the two

    generally needed OS X versions for PowerPC (pre-intel) for sale by calling AppleCare, but it seems

    that service has fallen by the wayside. I was on the lookout for Leopard 10.5 retail DVD sets a few

    years ago and found a moving sale, w/ in-the-box software & other Mac accessories, inexpensively.

     

    So the retail label OS X 10.5 DVD and the iLife '06 DVD kit or separate retail discs, would be likely

    the thing to look for. Also the iBook G4 (mid-2005) model can use 1.5GB of RAM and the extra bit

    can be installed in a slot under the keyboard. This takes the same upgrade RAM type as the iMac

    G4 (PPC 1.25GHz) desktop model, in the user-accessible upgrade slot; this link shows the specs:

    1.0GB SO-DIMM Memory Module PC2700 DDR 333Mhz

     

    Anyway, between that and the hard disk drive (portable computers can see faster wear on their HDD)

    replacement may be needed. The OWC company macsales.com has Legacy SSD (IDE/ATA) drive

    options that can help older models run faster. The internal HDD in the iBook G4 is a slow point with

    a later OS X such as Leopard 10.5.8. I have two working PPC G4 models with 10.5.8. They both

    need help in the fact their hard drive spin rate affects the speed at which Virtual Memory is accessed.

    (A lack of adequate RAM, physical installed, is usually supplemented by read-write space on the HDD.)

     

    So, there is some possibility the link to the software you found may/not be correct for your iBook G4.

     

    {I just looked at the original media disc for my 12-inch mid-2005 iBook G4 and by the info, as long as

    the one on ebay has iBook G4 and copyright of 2005, it may be OK. Get return confirmation in case

    if the part number is not proper to your 14-inch G4 mid-2005 unit; for sake of refund/return.}

     

    In any event...

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by superholic,

    superholic superholic Nov 12, 2015 3:13 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 12, 2015 3:13 PM in response to K Shaffer

    Thank you so much for your detailed response! Upon entering the serial number on the link provided, it appears it is indeed a mid 2005 model with the order number M9848LL/A, and yes it is the 14.1" version.

     

    It seems most people selling the discs on ebay do their best to describe what discs they are selling but many just say "for use with iBook G4s" and aren't very specific. The ones I was thinking of buying say "for mid 2005 iBook G4s with ID # powerbook 6,7 ONLY" which seems like what I would need, but the copyright date on the discs is 2006 so I'm not 100% sure. Here's the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/APPLE-MAC-iBOOK-G4-SOFTWARE-RESTORE-INSTALL-CD-DVD-DISK- DISC-SET-10-4-4-/111791096989. The unfortunate thing is the seller states they won't do refunds.

     

    The OS X 10.5/iLife route looks like it's more than I really want to spend on this, considering I'll probably only get $50 max for the laptop itself. Mostly I just want to get rid of it so it's not taking up space in my closet anymore so I don't want to sink a ton of money into it. If I were to buy a retail install DVD for 10.4 or 10.5, can I still do a factory reset/restore from that?

  • by K Shaffer,Helpful

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Nov 12, 2015 8:27 PM in response to superholic
    Level 6 (14,367 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 12, 2015 8:27 PM in response to superholic

    At that price, near under $50. including shipping, it may be worth the risk.

     

    From what the magnified view of the product image says, it could be correct

    and the date would not be out of line for the last build models or an official

    replacement disc (they used to provide exact duplicates, for a fee, from the

    AppleCare or Support) directly obtained with last models in production.

     

    Usually the ebay site has a returns policy, if the product is defective or if

    it is misrepresented to a point of it not being useful or correct to purpose.

     

    Of course, if you have any older MacOS (pre-X) applications the older Tiger

    system disc set is preferred. And to have that on hand even if it may not

    boot the computer (as it has to, in order to perform pre-install setup tasks)

    the DVD itself can be accessed via a utility such as CharlesSoft - Pacifist.

    This allows access to the files and bits, but does not use Apple installers.

    http://www.charlessoft.com/pacifist_olderversions.html

     

    You should be on the lookout for the retail OS X 10.5 Leopard DVD, too.

    Hopefully you can find it in original package and in clean as-new condition.

     

    A retail Tiger 10.4 DVD cannot be used to install a full system on the iBook G4

    because the computer is newer than a released version on retail Tiger 10.4 DVD.

    And the version that shipped with the computer also has all those included apps.

     

    Hopefully the ebay offering will suffice and work for this task. Once you restore

    a working OS X in that vintage iBook G4, you'll have to get TenFourFox browser

    from the maker's site. That's the mozilla-based custom build for PPC Macs...

    the last G4 models use the second build listed, of two for the G4 processor.

    http://www.floodgap.com/software/tenfourfox/

     

    This set shows the third disc for Classic OS9 install, as it supposed to be:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-APPLE-MAC-iBOOK-G4-SOFTWARE-RESTORE-INSTALL-CD-OS-X- TIGER-DISC-SET-10-4-4/361233882772?_trks…

     

    Good luck and roll of the dice...

    Looks like a winner, or at least not snake-eyes

  • by superholic,

    superholic superholic Nov 14, 2015 4:28 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 14, 2015 4:28 PM in response to K Shaffer

    I gave Apple another call to see if they could confirm the disc number for me. They weren't able to, but between your information and theirs I'm pretty sure the discs we were looking at are the right ones so I went ahead and ordered them. Fingers crossed that they'll do what I need them to!

     

    Thanks a bunch for all your help!

  • by superholic,

    superholic superholic Nov 20, 2015 7:59 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 20, 2015 7:59 AM in response to K Shaffer

    UPDATE: I received the discs and was able to successfully erase the iBook's hard drive and restore it. Thanks again K Shaffer!