Install OS 10.3 Panther on iMac G3 500 MHz

Question

Level 1

45 points

Install OS 10.3 Panther on iMac G3 500 MHz

I attempted to install Mac OS 10.3 when it started to install a comment appeared that I would have to update the firmware. I checked the Apple download site and there was no firmware for the iMac Snow the last iMac with OS 9 installed. My boxed OS 10.3 shows that PowerPC G3 is compatible. This iMac has 256 MB installed RAM and 25.47 GB available on the Hard Drive. I noticed that the iMac has 9.0.1 installed; Do I have to Install OS 9.2.2 which I have, before I install OS 10.3? I have on disk the 10.3.5 Combined Updater.
More info:
iMac ID 406 > Mac OS ROM 4.6.1 > SN RN0296 RQ-JVA-ff08 > Active Enabler: Mac OS ROM 4.6.1 > Built in USB > ROM Revision$77D.45F6 > Boot ROM version 4.6.1 >

Richard

Message was edited by: Old Jarhead

PowerPC G4 Dual 1.25 GHz, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Sep 16, 2008 8:02 PM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

741,671 points

Sep 16, 2008 8:05 PM in response to Dick Deaton

I attempted to install Mac OS 10.3 when it started to install a comment appeared that I would have to update the firmware. I checked the Apple download site and there was no firmware for the iMac Snow the last iMac with OS 9 installed.

Click here for the needed firmware. You need to update the OS to run the firmware updater.

Do I have to Install OS 9.2.2 before I install OS 10.3?

No.

(35657)

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Answer 2

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Sep 16, 2008 8:35 PM in response to Dick Deaton

Old Jarhead:

Welcome to Apple Discussions.

I noticed that the iMac has 9.0.1 installed; Do I have to Install OS 9.2.2 which I have, before I install OS 10.3?

No, you don't. However, the documentation with the firmware upgrade linked by Niel says:

If a message says you need to install Mac OS 9.1, the firmware updater will not run until you install Mac OS 9.1 or later.

In other words, you should update to at least OS 9.1. Indeed, if you are planning to run OS 9 at all, it might be well to upgrade all the way to OS 9.2.2. ( Mac OS 9: Available Updates).

Please do post back with further questions or comments.

😉 cornelius

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Answer 3

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Sep 17, 2008 7:12 PM in response to Dick Deaton

Richard:

Excellent going! Here are step by step directions for installing Panther:
Install Panther OS X 10.3.9
• Boot from the 10.3.x install CD 1
• Go to Installer Menu and open Disk Utility
• (Optional)Go to File menu and Repair OS 9 Permissions!
• Quit Disk Utility.
• Launch Installer
• Select Destination disk for installation
• Click Options
• Select Installation Option Archive and Install
• (Optional) Preserve Users and Network Settings
• Choose to Customize and deselect Foreign Language Translations and Additional Printer drivers.
• Check box to install BSD Subsystems (Panther & earlier).
• Install Mac OS X 10.3.x
• Restart and Repair permissions (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility)!
• Download and apply the 10.3.9 Combo Update
• Restart and Repair Disk Permissions as previously!
• Run Software Update and apply all updates available
• Repair Disk Permissions (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility)!

😉 cornelius

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Answer 4

Dick Deaton Author

Level 1

45 points

Sep 17, 2008 7:05 PM in response to cornelius

Just to update my post.

I used the link Niel added to his post; was able to find and downloaded. I found that I had to Download OS 9.1 then OS 9.2.1 and finally used OS 9.2.2 from the installed version OS 9.0.4. Then I was able to update the firmware 4.1.9.smi to the OS 9.0.4 installed OS. Now I will update OS 10.3 to OS 10.3.5 Combo.
Thanks for you posts.

Old Jarhead

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Answer 5

Dick Deaton Author

Level 1

45 points

Sep 18, 2008 10:26 AM in response to Dick Deaton

Update:

OS 10.3.5 Combo installed flawlessly.

Old Jarhead

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Answer 6

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Sep 18, 2008 2:31 PM in response to Dick Deaton

Old Jarhead:

Congratulations! Good job.

Please post back should you have further questons.

😉 cornelius

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