Trying to install OS X 10.3 on Lombard

This does not answer your question, but it may solve the problem of installing OS 10.3. In the early steps of the install procedure you can select a "custom" install. Select only the very minimum, and you won't need the second disk.

What you give up by doing this are every supported language, and every supported printer driver.

ATPTWC327, welcome to Apple Discussions.

What color are the install discs you are using? Black with silver X - OK, gray - Not OK.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

AtP,

It would seem to me that even though you have gray disks, they are booting and installing, at least up to a point. There are gray, machine-specific disks that will work in other computers and I believe you have a set.

I will point out that the symptoms you describe are common to a lot of Lombards, and they are these:

-Lombard runs perfectly when booted to OS9 with the RAM maxed to 512MB or less.

-The same Lombard, when trying to install any version of OSX, will either not boot the OSX disk or freeze during the install or freeze when restarting after a successful install or freeze randomly if OSX was successfully installed.

-The problem lies with a certain run of microprocessor cards and the workaround is this: Leave the top memory slot empty and run the maximum 256MB of RAM in the bottom slot.

Since you are successfully running OS9, download 'PPC Checker' here:

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/G3CARDS/PPCchecker/

...and see if it reports this number:

PowerPC 750L (LoneStar, Rev2.2) Copper G3 PVR = 0x00088202

If so, you unfortunately have the troublesome CPU, but as I said earlier, you can still run OSX.

Let us know what you find.

ATP,

No, no, no...of course you can run OSX, but you must leave the top memory slot empty. I don't know how technically minded you are, but here is summary of what to do. Please remove all power plus main battery (just pull the battery out a few inches).

1. Lift off keyboard and lay it face down on the palm rest; do not disconnect ribbon cable.

2. Remove heat shield.

3. Remove top memory module.

4. Lift out the microprocessor card, turn it over, and remove the memory card from the lower (bottom) slot.

5. Install a low-profile 256MB memory module like the one below. Please be advised that 256MB modules have a unique architecture for the Lombard and Wallstreet; generic 256s will not work.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/100SO256168L/

6. Reassemble the computer.

Here is a photo guide:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Device/PowerBookG3Lombard

Make sure you have a Phillips #0 screwdriver so you do not damage the screw heads. Now the above photo guide removes unnecessary items (PRAM battery and modem) to get to the microprocessor; just remove the items I mentioned.

You mentioned you have 256MB of RAM; I am guessing you have 2x128MB modules, one each in the top and bottom slots. Panther/10.3 will run on a minimum of 128MB but it will be slow. Nonetheless, if you wanted to remove just the top 128MB module, do so, then try installing 10.3.

I know this sounds complicated but it really is not. If you have a friend who is handy with tools and mechanical devices, he/she can help.

ATP,

I'm sorry it did not work, but I'm glad you could do the work yourself. I am guessing you just removed the top 128MB module...is that correct.

I would also try this: Reset the PRAM, then try 10.3 again:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

Also, when you are first booted to 10.3, click English (I think), then immediately go up to the menu bar and open Disk Utilities > highlight your HD on the left, then run First Aid on the right side. (Check the menu bar before clicking anything to see if Disk Utility is available since I can't recall).

Before quitting Disk Utility, select the 10.3 disk in the left window and run First Aid on it.

Is it possible the 10.3 disk is dirty or scratched?

Perform a Get Info on your HD. How much free space do you have?

I don't have much more to suggest but will keep working with you.

ATP,

Well, I'm sorry to hear there is no success. The only thing you have not tried is a retail Panther CD but the cost of these OSes is fairly high just to try to see if it will work. Your earlier statement said you also tried OSX 10.1 and it failed. If you still have it, give it a try without the top memory module; let's see if a retail 10.1 CD will work.

The only other comment I can offer is that there is a small number of Lombards that just won't run OSX. Users who pursued this problem replaced the microprocessor card and were up and running OSX. For example, this company will sell a 333MHz microprocessor card for $80:
http://www.ifixit.com/PowerBook-Parts/G3-Lombard-333-MHz-Processor/IF131-030

You can probably do much better on eBay but you are kind of on your own, i.e. buyer beware. Again, give 10.1 a try...