Returning G3 ibook to factory settings

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Returning G3 ibook to factory settings

My G3 ibook has finally given up the ghost and I have treated myself to a nice new Macbook!

Migration Assistant wouldnt work as it claimed there was no OS on the old Mac which I presume means the OS is shot. The hard drive still works fine as I was able to import all my music, photos, movies and a few apps via target disk mode.

I would like to sell the ibook and am hoping that returning it to factory settings will sort out the OS issue. How do I go about doing this? I think the guy in the Apple Store called it an Erase & Install?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

G3 ibook, Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Posted on Jul 12, 2007 4:25 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 12, 2007 6:32 AM in response to Matty T

You need to have the original system CD's that came with the iBook.

Then follow the appropriate link(s) (according to which system CD's you have) from this Apple Knowledge Base article on how to restore your system software:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61802

Good luck.

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Answer 2

Matty T Author

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Jul 12, 2007 9:35 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

Hi Ronda,

I seem to have misplaced the original discs that came with the ibook, but I do have my Tiger install disc - would this do the trick?

Many thanks.

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Answer 3

Jul 12, 2007 10:19 AM in response to Matty T

No, it is not an ideal solution for a couple of reasons.

First, the iBook would lose all the iLife applications and other original software that came with it (like AppleWorks). The new owner would have just a bare OS.

Also, your Tiger install disc is licensed for use on one computer. Are you going to include it in the sale? Since you have the discs for the new MacBook, you may no longer need the Tiger Install. If that is the case and you want to include the Tiger disc in the sale, you could use it that way, but, again, the new owner would have none of the original software applications that came with the iBook.

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Answer 4

Matty T Author

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Jul 13, 2007 7:30 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

ok thanks Ronda - looks like im gonna have to spend the weekend turning the house upside down to find the original discs!

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Answer 5

Jul 13, 2007 9:56 AM in response to Matty T

You're welcome.

im gonna have to spend the weekend turning the house upside down to find the original discs!

Ooh, I just hate it when that happens!

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Answer 6

Matty T Author

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Jul 15, 2007 10:28 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

Still no joy finding those ruddy discs - what are the other options available to me to clear the system in order to sell it (bearing in mind that I cant turn the ibook on)?

What version of OS would it be reset to if I used the Tiger disc to erase & istall? I still have my ilife 05 discs so could I just install this after or would there still be plenty of apps missing from the erase?

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Answer 7

Jul 15, 2007 11:37 AM in response to Matty T

Will it start up with the Tiger disc, then?

If you use the Tiger disc to Erase and Install, it will install Tiger. You would need to include the Tiger disc in the sale, and if you load the iLife applications on it, you would need to include that/those disc/discs, too.

Just to be clear, what version of the OS is on the iBook currently? I take it from your listed specs that it has OS X 10.4.2 on it?

There would still be lots missing.

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Answer 8

Matty T Author

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Aug 7, 2007 1:17 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

Sorry I have taken a while to come back to you, I have been on holiday (or vacation as you kids across the pond call it!)

Anyway, I have 10.4.9 installed at present but it does not start up as it should. I can get to disk utility etc by trying start up with the Tiger disc in the tray (can't remember which key I hold down but I know it works as I have done it many times). I can also access the hard drive via Target Disk Mode so I think the problem is that the OS is corrupt. I have been told that an Erase & Install may bring it back to life so I can sell it.

I have a shiny new Macbook with ilife 07 installed and new start up discs so I think I can let my ilife 05 and Tiger discs go as I wont need them again.

Beginning to think the best bet might be to take the ibook into an Apple Store and see if they have the original discs.

Thanks once again Ronda.

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Answer 9

Aug 7, 2007 3:39 PM in response to Matty T

Is there nothing on it that you want? If there is something there that you didn't get because of the failure of Migration Assistant, you may want to try an _Archive and Install_ so you can retrieve your data before doing the Erase and Install.

Read about the installation options for Tiger in this Apple Knowledge Base article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301270

Good luck!

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Answer 10

Matty T Author

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Sep 15, 2007 11:08 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

Hi Ronda,

Sorry to take my time coming back on this one but I am pleased to report that I have tracked down the original discs that came with my G3 ibook!

I have 3 Software Restore discs (discs 1 to 3) and 2 Mac OS X install discs (discs 1 & 2). The software Restore discs say they are for OS version 9.2.2 whilst the Install discs are for OS version 10.2.4.

I bought and installed ilife 05 and Tiger before the ibook died on me and would ideally like to delete all my previous data but keep those on there so I can sell it with them available but I do have the discs for Tiger and ilife 05 so if I have to return the OS to 10.2 I can bundle these discs with the sale.

As mentioned above, the ibook no longer starts up, but I can get to Disk Utility with my Tiger install disc so should be able to do an Erase & Install.

Your help is much appreciated.

Matt.

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Answer 11

Sep 15, 2007 11:27 AM in response to Matty T

If you want to restore it to like new, don't use the Tiger disc, but follow the directions in this Apple Knowledge Base article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301468

If you want to included Tiger on the iBook, down at the bottom of that article there is a download for a later Software Restore version for use with Tiger, and I've used it, myself, with great success. It allows you to restore applications without having to wipe Tiger first.

Since you have the Tiger install DVD with your MacBook, you don't really need it, so it would be an attractive addition to the purchase, as would the iLife '05 discs. I would recommend the software restore in order to get AppleWorks back on the computer, as it is one program I use every single day. Others may not care whether it's there or not. Your choice.

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Answer 12

Matty T Author

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Sep 16, 2007 9:07 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

Hi Ronda,

I must say all of these Knowledge Base articles are rather confusing!

Your recommendation of the later Software Restore seems the way to go but how do I activate this on my ibook? I downloaded the .dmg file on y new Macbook and burnt it to a CD then tried to startup the ibook with the CD in the drive but it wouldn't start up.

I tried the more long-winded version which suggests starting up from the original install disc and then performing an Erase & Install on the Tiger volume, but when I do this I get a very old-looking version of Disk Utility that has the option to erase but mentions nothing about an install and does not specifically mention the Tiger volume.

How do I get the later Software Restore onto the ibook and if that route doesn't work, will the Erase from the original install disc return me to OS 10.2 or just completely erase everything?!

Thanks again.

Matt.

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Answer 13

Sep 16, 2007 9:36 AM in response to Matty T

First, let's see if we can salvage your current Tiger installation.

Try starting up from the Tiger Install Disc by inserting the disc and restarting the iBook, holding down the C key as the startup chime is ending. Then click 'Next' at the language screen and choose Utilities > Disk Utility and select the hard drive in the left column. Choose the First Aid tab. Click Repair Disk to test and repair the hard drive.

Once you have repaired the hard drive with the Install disc's Disk Utility, then try to start up normally and repair permissions from Disk Utility in the Utilities folder on the hard drive.

Does this work for you? Are you now able to start up normally?

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Answer 14

Matty T Author

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Sep 16, 2007 2:01 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

Sadly I have tried repairing the disk and repairing permissions but without any joy. I have even tried an Archieve & Install from the Tiger disc but it wouldn't let me do it.

I have retrieved all the data I need so just want to be able to sell it by returning it to 10.4 or 10.2 but without all my settings, data etc.

I saw an Apple Genius who told me the OS was corrupt but that the HD was ok so I should do an Erase & Install.

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Answer 15

Sep 16, 2007 4:22 PM in response to Matty T

Okay. Do the Erase and Install with the Tiger disc.

Then, assuming it will then start up correctly, if you want to install the applications that came with the iBook, use that downloadable alternative Software Restore to allow the restoration of the applications that came with the iBook.

Then, if you want to include the iLife '05 discs in the sale, you can install it, too. It will upgrade the versions of the iLife components that originally came with the iBook.

This should get you where you need to be.

Good luck.

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