G4 cube ready for OS X tiger?

How do I verify that my cube is at firmware 4.1.9?

My Cubes lights (on the top) did do a very quick continuous flash lighting effect. However, the instruction file said I'd also get two indications on screen that the firmware was being updated and that it was updated. Neither my wife nor I seen any such indications onscreen and I can't find anywhere in the Apple system profiler for OS 9.x where it indicates the firmware.

Again, a question about firmware. Since it's stored on flash like memory (like a digital cameras Compact Flash card I presume), then how would one undo the firmware if something when wrong during the process (say a power outage right in the middle of it)? Even a compact flash card for a digital camera can be formatted and more photos can be taken on it. Is there no way to go back to a previous firmware (even if you find the firmware update isn't working for you) or set the Cubes firmware back to default from the factory firmware? I'm curious as to how users here report that firmware upgrades are permanent - are they really?

Another question that's nonrelated. I'm totally stoaked about getting to use the new browser (Safari) that comes with OS X tiger. However, what email program does Tiger come with and will it allow me to import my emails and/or email address book from my backup hard drive that I will backing up my entire system to before I switch the Hard Drives out?

Again, full of questions.

David,

I'll certainly let you know how the install goes on the cube. I'm guessing since you're interested, you have a cube somewhere you may want to take to Tiger too - ?

I thank you for explaining how firmware is written to ROM on the LG (logic board?) and I posted another reply about firmware in this thread where I questioned (again) how permanent it really is. I'll include the excerpt below for you to ponder.

Excerpt: Again, a question about firmware. Since it's stored on flash like memory (like a digital cameras Compact Flash card I presume), then how would one undo the firmware if something went wrong during the process (say a power outage right in the middle of it)? Even a compact flash card for a digital camera can be formatted and more photos can be taken on it. Is there no way to go back to a previous firmware (even if you find the firmware update isn't working for you) or set the Cubes firmware back to default from the factory firmware? I'm curious as to how users here report that firmware upgrades are permanent - are they really?

David,

The install on the cube did not go smoothly, but the problems I encountered are probably expected. Here are my 2 major problems installing the HD and OS X Tiger on the G4 Cube.

Problem 1) Torx T8 screwdriver needed to remove the heat sink cover. The smallest Torx I had was a T10. I was getting in my car to go buy one when I saw my neighbor, who let me borrow his Micro Tech precision screwdriver set. Even then, the Torx T8 fit, however the micro screwdriver was so small that I could not break any of the 3 screws loose. I had to actually get my vice grips and attach them to the metal on the screwdriver at a 90 degree angle to break each screw lose. They are attached very tight. I would recommend that you buy a T8 screwdriver that is larger and has a regular handle so that you can break those screws lose.

Problem 2) This was my major problem. The Seagate 120 gig internal HD caused the entire computer to not recognize the OS Tiger DVD disk and thus not allow it to book to do any install. In fact, the HD caused the computer to not recognized the cd/dvd internal drive as existing. I had read on a Cube webpage that another user suggested here, when I was asking for tips, that while many users prefer the Seagate HD it can be the one that has caused the most problems such as boot problems or causing the cpu not to recognize the internal cd/dvd drive. I was clueless about the terminology of jumper cables on the hard drive but I became educated on them fairly quickly to try to find out how to get out of this bind. Apparently, as reported on the web page, the Seagate drives don't always come from the factory set as a master drive. I believe it has to be set as the master drive on the jumpers to get things to work. I couldn't get the jumper out with tweezers to place it where the drive would think it was the master, so I had to take the drive out again and switch the jumper over. Once the jumper was placed in a way that the drive was the master drive, the dvd/cd drive was recognized and it was all smooth sailing from there.

Tiger works great on the cube. I like this operating system.