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iamxym

Q: iBook G4 does not boot from Tiger Install DVD

Hey everyone,

I just acquired from Apple a Mac OS X Tiger replacement DVD and am attempting to use it as a startup disk to install onto my iBook G4, but it does not seem to want to startup from the DVD. My iBook meets all of the minimum requirements (including built-in firewire, 512MB RAM, 1.2 GHz G4 processor, 30GB HD, DVD-ROM). I have attempted clicking Install from the DVD and the computer restarts like it will startup from the DVD but it does not. Holding the C-key during startup does not work. I attempted to use Startup Disk in sys prefs and again seems like it will startup from the DVD but does not. I attempted from Startup Disk mode (holding Opt-key on startup) and the DVD does not even appear as a choice!

I decided to try and do a remote installation by restarting my iBook G4 in Target-Disk mode and running the installation DVD from our iMac G5 and, using all of the above methods, it won't even startup from that!

I am very aggravated right now and was wondering if there was any possible solution at this point beyond exchanging the DVD for a set of Install CDs. Both computers exceed the minimum requirements for installation and their optical drives have never had any issues. I am wondering if perhaps there is some issue with the DVD itself? There seems to be an awful amount of lag when reading the disc and it appears to be just a burn.

Best,
Nate

iBook G4, Mac OS X (10.3.x), 512 MB RAM, 1.2 GHz G4, 30 GB HFS+, DVD-ROM

Posted on Feb 2, 2009 10:15 PM

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Q: iBook G4 does not boot from Tiger Install DVD

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  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Feb 2, 2009 10:19 PM in response to iamxym
    Level 9 (53,636 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 2, 2009 10:19 PM in response to iamxym
    You say this is a "replacement DVD". Is this a black colored retail installer DVD? Grey ones will only boot the model computer with which they were supplied.
  • by iamxym,

    iamxym iamxym Feb 2, 2009 10:29 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 2, 2009 10:29 PM in response to Limnos
    This is not a black DVD with the silver X logo but nor is it a grey computer-specific install DVD. It is a white label with the Apple logo at the top. The full title reads: "Mac OS X Tiger - Includes Xcode 2 - Install DVD" followed by "Replacement DVD - Not for Resale". There is a serial and then a copyright notice.

    (I don't need the Xcode tools, though I suppose it's nice that those are included. However, I would settle with just being able to do the clean install I had intended to do several hours ago.)
  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Feb 2, 2009 11:30 PM in response to iamxym
    Level 9 (53,636 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 2, 2009 11:30 PM in response to iamxym
    According to the information at the bottom of your first post you appear to have an iBook G4 (Late 2004) - [Technical Specifications|http://support.apple.com/kb/SP68] This apparently came with Panther originally so the only version of Tiger that will install on this computer is a retail set of discs.

    What is the source of this replacement DVD? I know you say it is from Apple but is it a replacement for a retail install version, or some other replacement? If it is a replacement for a Tiger disc for another computer then the same inability to install on another model (both your G4 and your G5) will likely still apply. This can manifest as refusal to boot, a message, or even kernel panics.

    If it is a replacement for a retail install disc conceivably the burn could be bad.

    Message was edited by: Limnos
  • by iamxym,

    iamxym iamxym Feb 2, 2009 11:56 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 2, 2009 11:56 PM in response to Limnos
    As I understand, it is a generic version of Tiger. It was provided by Apple via phone support as a replacement for an install disc we never rec'd when we first purchased the G5 (from a reseller). However, the G5 is actually running 10.3.9 as well, so we thought we would just install Tiger on the laptop where it was really needed. I expect it is 10.4.11 though I can't really tell just from looking at it.

    There is no message when attempting to boot on either machine and certainly nothing like a kernel panic. As I mentioned, it shows as an option in Startup Disk on both and I can select it and restart and they behave like they will boot into the DVD but then they do not do it, instead defaulting to their respective hard disks.
  • by sig,

    sig sig Feb 3, 2009 1:54 AM in response to iamxym
    Level 8 (35,798 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 3, 2009 1:54 AM in response to iamxym
    In as much as you got the disk from Apple I would call where ever you called the first time to get the disk and explain the problem. We can only surmise what the disk is or is not. At this point it is not working for you. The problem my lie in that it is a "replacement disk" for a G5. You can see the version of the OS if you insert the disk and System Preferences>Startup Disk. However it my be machine specific and that's why it wont boot.
  • by iamxym,

    iamxym iamxym Feb 3, 2009 8:08 AM in response to sig
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 3, 2009 8:08 AM in response to sig
    As I explained, it does not boot from the G5 either. Obviously we will call back Apple Support re this issue.

    The DVD did not indicate that it is machine-specific, inside or out. I am not at home so I cannot check the specific version.