is there an evaluation version of OS X?

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Level 1

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is there an evaluation version of OS X?

I recently obtained a used dual G5 machine (says 2004 on the motherboard) for free, cool eh. It seems to have everything but the hard drive, as far as hardware components go. I have a spare SATA hard drive so I want to throw that in and install an evaluation version of OSX to make sure everything works before spending the money on a good hard drive and a retail copy of OSX. I'm new to apple. Is there an eval version I can download? you know, typically like a 30 or 60 day trial period?

I got this for free so I don't want to spend money on hard drive and OSX just to find out there is something wrong with it.

any input is appreciated. thanks.

Posted on Oct 9, 2007 1:13 PM

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Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Oct 9, 2007 1:23 PM in response to 14rec

No, there is no "evaluation version" of Mac OS X.

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Answer 2

Oct 9, 2007 1:24 PM in response to 14rec

There isn't an evaluation version of OS X. However, you have a number of possible options:

1) Simply hook up the G5 to a monitor and turn it on. All its hardware testing is done before it looks for a hard drive. If you hear the Mac "chime" sound, and you see a flashing folder and question mark on the screen, the major components of the G5 are working. If you hear one or more beeps, that may indicate a problem with memory or logic board.

2) Borrow an OS X installation, Apple Hardware Test disk or other test software disk (eg TechTool) from someone with that model of G5. If the disk boots (and if the hardware test reports no problems), the G5 should be generally sound.

3) Get an installation CD /live CD of a PPC Mac-compatible distro such as Yellow Dog or Ubuntu. Again, if you can boot to the CD (and/or install, if you want to), the G5 is working correctly.

Option (1) gives you a quick diagnosis, but (2) is recommended if you can get hold of such a disk.

Matt

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Answer 3

14rec Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 9, 2007 2:02 PM in response to Matt Clifton

thanks. It does power on and I here the chime, followed by the mac folder with question mark. yeah. Unless the apple disks you mentioned are free I'll have to go the ubunto or yellow dog route. Since the chime tells me all is well with the main components (memory, processor, system board, I assume) I just need to verify the ATA controller works and thus a new hard drive will work, before spending money. For that I was originally looking for the mac equivelent of verifying that the drive I plugged in was 'recognized' by the BIOS (a pc term). If it did, I would go ahead and buy OS X. So I just learned mac's BIOS equivalent, so to speak, is OpenFirmware, but its command shell based and I don't know the commands to do this, if there is any. Although more time consuming, obtaining and booting from an ubunto or other linux distro and verifiying it 'sees' the test hard drive will accomplish what I need as well.

thanks, I appreciate it.

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Answer 4

Kurt Lang

Level 9

68,716 points

Oct 9, 2007 2:19 PM in response to 14rec

One more note on OS disks. Every Mac comes with a set of installation disks. Each set is specifically for the Mac they came with. So see if the person who gave you the Mac still has the original disks. They won't do that person any good and should stay with the computer they came with.

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