Mac Mini Power PC G4 1.5GHz issue

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Mac Mini Power PC G4 1.5GHz issue

I received a Mac Mini Power PC 1.5GHz and for some reason it has an earlier OS X installed on it then what it originally came with. Right now it is running 10.3.9. Originally it came with a version of 10.4. I managed to get the original install DVD's for it but I cannot install them because they are bundled software and the Mac Mini doesn't realize it is a Mac Mini anymore because of the older OS being installed on it I believe. When I go to the "about this mac menu" it states that the computer is a PowerMac 10.2 and not a Mac Mini. I would really like to put the original software on it and get it sorted out but when I put the original install DVD in it says, "this software cannot be installed on this computer" and it is the right software, not the intel based software. Any ideas on how to restore this Mac Mini?

mac mini ppc g4 1.5GHz

Posted on Dec 24, 2007 12:08 PM

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Answer 1

Boece

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Dec 24, 2007 12:13 PM in response to pjfan27

If the 10.4 install discs you obtained shipped with a different model of Mac, they won't work -- even if they are 10.4 and your Mini originally shipped with "10.4".

If they are the right disc for your mini, are you booting from them by holding down the "C" key during startup?

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Answer 2

pjfan27 Author

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Dec 24, 2007 12:33 PM in response to Boece

Yes I have tried holding down the C key and booting. It boots to the OS X install page and then says that I can't install the software on the computer. I am pretty sure these are the same version of the DVD's that originally came with this particular Mini but I guess I cannot be 100% about that since I got them separate. I think the firmware may be messed up as well and that is why the Mini thinks it is a PowerMac 2.10.

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Answer 3

Boece

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Dec 24, 2007 12:47 PM in response to pjfan27

If you boot into 10.3.9 what does it say for Apple Menu > About this Mac, More Info > Hardware (Hardware Overview)?

Could you copy and paste that here. Thanks!

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Answer 4

pjfan27 Author

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Dec 24, 2007 1:01 PM in response to Boece

Here it is:

Machine Model: PowerMac10,2
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (1.5)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1.5 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 512 MB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.9.4f1
Serial Number:

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Answer 5

BGreg

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17,558 points

Dec 24, 2007 1:27 PM in response to pjfan27

I have a mini G4 1.5Ghz too, and it came with two discs. First one says Mac mini; Mac OS X Install Disc 1. In smaller print: Mac OS Version 10.4.2, AHT version 1.1, Disc version 1.0, 2Z691-5615-A. Second disc says Mac OS X Install Disc 2, and in smaller print Disc Version 1.3, 2Z691-5533-A.

As pointed out, if the 10.4 OS X discs you got are for any other mac besides a mini, they won't work.

My mini says Powermac 10,2 also.

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Answer 6

Boece

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Dec 24, 2007 1:45 PM in response to pjfan27

deleted

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Answer 7

pjfan27 Author

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Dec 24, 2007 2:47 PM in response to BGreg

That may be why my discs don't work. Mine say version 10.4, AHT version 1.0, disc version 1.0, 2z691-5455-a. Do you have the Power PC processor or the intel, because the first intels were also 1.5 GHz?

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Answer 8

BGreg

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Dec 24, 2007 2:53 PM in response to pjfan27

Do you have the Power PC processor or the intel, because the first intels were also 1.5 GHz?

Mine is a PowerPC G4, with the silent upgrade to 1.5Ghz

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Answer 9

pjfan27 Author

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Dec 24, 2007 2:55 PM in response to BGreg

So I need what you have. These bundles seem pretty hard to come by. I have searched the web and haven't really found any sources for them.

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Answer 10

BGreg

Level 6

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Dec 24, 2007 6:08 PM in response to pjfan27

So I need what you have. These bundles seem pretty hard to come by. I have searched the web and haven't really found any sources for them.

If you call Apple support, they'll sell you a set for around $50. You may still be able to find a retail Tiger package for less than before Leopard came out, if you want to go that route. If you qualify for an educational discount, you might find a copy at a local university computer store.

I don't know if this additional information helps ... on the outside of the envelope containing the two discs, it says 2Z603-8387-A Mac mini Media; Multilingual. There's one other number on the other side of the bar code: PD11302005

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