How to upgrade 1.5 GHZ PowerBook G4 to latest OS

skeeterpod:

Welcome to Apple Discussions.

Here are the minimum system requirements for Tiger and the Leopard installation system requirements. I think your computer will be eligible for either. To upgrade to either Tiger or Leopard you will need the Full Retail Version of the OS of your choice. Tiger installers are difficult to find, and when you are able to find one the price is at a premium. Leopard is available at the Apple Store for $129 and may be obtained at online retailers at a discount. Leopard does require about 9 GB of disk space for installation, so you will need ample space on your HDD. In addition, Leopard does not support OS 9 or the Classic Environment, so if you have software that requires Classic, Tiger may better suit your needs.

Once you have the install disk I suggest
• Backup your current system or at least your data.
* I recommend completely reformatting and erasing your HDD prior to installing Leopard, although an Archive and Install may be an option, though not as clean.
If you need step by step directions for refomatting and/or installing please do post back and ask.

I currenly own the older version of Office but because I am a teacher am able to purchase a new version at a discount.

My version of Office:Mac is 2004 and it runs on either Tiger or Leopard quite well. The 1998 version requires Classic.

Will my Adobe program work on the new OS?

We'll need to know which Adobe software you have, and what version it is. You can also go to the website for the software and check system requirements.

😉 cornelius

skeeterpod:

Your profile does not tell us which PowerBook G4 you have, 12", 15" or 17". It does not make a lot of difference in this instance, but it is often helpful for us to know. If you erase the HDD you should have sufficient HDD capacity. These computers came with 60 GB, 80 GB and 100 GB capacities. You can check which one you have and post back.

I have Adobe CS which I assume should also work.

It may depend on which version you have whether CS2, 3 or 4. Go to Google and type in Adobe CS with the version and then check for system requirements.

I would need the steps on how to back up everything.

The best way to proceed would be to make a bootable clone of your entire volume, so, should things not quite work out right, you will have exactly what you had before and you can boot computer from it. To make a bootable clone you will need an external firewire drive and a utility like SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner. Then follow directions below:
Clone Old HDD to new HDD using SuperDuper
• Connect external firewire drive to computer
• Download and launch SuperDuper
• In the Copy field select your internal HDD
• To is your external firewire HDD (if this is a new HDD it will need to formatted and erased before you can clone to it. (See directions below)
• Using backup all files
• Click Options button
• Check *Repair Disk Permissions on Source*
• During copy Erase Destination HDD then copy from Source
• On successful completion Quit SuperDuper
• Click OK
• Click Copy, authenticate and confirm.
SuperDuper will make an identical clone of your internal HDD from which you can boot the computer.

I don't have a ton of things on here that I am attached to. There are some files and pics but other than that it can be wiped clean. Unfortunately I don't know the best way to do that.

Now that you internal HDD is backed up with everything on it, you can easily erase anything without fear of losing anything. Here's how...
Formatting, Partitioning Erasing a Hard Disk Drive
Warning! This procedure will destroy all data on your Hard Disk Drive. Be sure you have an up-to-date, tested backup of at least your Users folder and any third party applications you do not want to re-install before attempting this procedure.

• With computer shut down insert install disk in optical drive.
• Hit Power button and immediately after chime hold down the "C" key.
• Select language
• Go to the Utilities menu (Tiger and later) and launch Disk Utility.
• Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
• Select Partition tab in main panel. (You are about to create a single partition volume.)
• Click on Options button
• Select Apple Partition Map (PPC Macs) or GUID Partition Table (Intel Macs)
• Click OK
• Select number of partitions in pull-down menu above Volume diagram.
(Note 1: One partition is normally preferable for an internal HDD.)
• Type in name in Name field (usually Macintosh HD)
• Select Volume Format as Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
• Click Partition button at bottom of panel.
• Select Erase tab
• Select the sub-volume (indented) under Manufacturer ID (usually Macintosh HD).
• Check to be sure your Volume Name and Volume Format are correct.
• Click Erase button
• Quit Disk Utility.

Your internal HDD is now squeaky clean and ready for the new installation. Here's how you do it.

Installation Process
Note: Skip steps in italics if you are already booted from the install disk and go directly to Installer.
• With computer shut down insert install disk in optical drive.
• Hit Power button and immediately after chime hold down the "C" key.
• Select language
• Open Installer and begin installation.
• Select installation option
• Choose to Customize and deselect Foreign Language Translations and Additional Printer drivers.
Optional: Check box to install X11 (Tiger and later).
• Proceed with installation.
• After installation computer will restart for setup.
Note: At this point you can choose to migrate your Users, Libraries and data from clone on external FW HDD.
• After setup, reboot computer.
• Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
• Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
• Select First Aid in main panel.
• Click Repair Disk Permissions.
• Connect to Internet.
• Download and install Mac OS X 10.5.7 Combo Update
Computer will restart.
• Repair Disk Permissions as previously.
• Go to Apple Menu > Software Update.
• Install all updates.
Computer may restart after updates.
• Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
• Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
• Select First Aid in main panel.
• Click Repair Disk Permissions.

Please post back with questions for clarification or otherwise.

😉 cornelius

Welcome To  Discussions skeeterpod!

Considering your Power Mac G4/1.5 GHz meets the System Requirements, the disc is less costly and more readily available, I suggest you upgrade to Leopard 10.5.x.

The Leopard Install DVD, can be purchased at The Apple Store (U.S.), Apple retail stores, Apple resellers, and some Online vendors.

If you know what to look for, Jaguar Full Retail CDs, a Full Retail Version, of the Panther Install CDs, a Full Retail Version, of the Tiger Install DVD, or a Full Retail Version, of the Leopard Install DVD, can be purchased, sometimes less expensively, at some online Apple retailers, Amazon, eBay, FastMac, HardCore Mac, etc.

Be sure not to purchase grey, upgrade or machine specific CDs or DVDs.
Leopard is on DVD.
The discs should look exactly like the images in the above links, and not say Upgrade, CPU Drop-in DVD, or "This software is part of a hardware bundle purchase - not to be sold seperately." on them.

Additional info in these links.
Using OS X Install CDs/DVDs On Multiple Macs
What's A Computer Specific Mac OS X Release
Software Update, Upgrade: What's The Difference?

Caveat Emptor!
If any are presently available, examine these items very carefully, and if in doubt, ask questions of the seller before purchase!
Leopard On eBay

Once Leopard 10.5.x is installed, you can use the

If Leopard 10.5.x is installed, use the Mac OS X 10.5.8 Combo Update.

You may also find this Leopard Installation and Setup Guide PDF useful.

The posted RAM System Requirement is the bare minimum.
For optimum performance, more is recommended.

As cornelius posted, it is advisable that you create a backup of the entire system, or at least, any data you do not wish to lose or corrupt.

In addition to the Archive & Install procedure, there is also a Simple Upgrade, or an Erase & Install option.

Review the info here About Installation Options.

Specifically; "About Upgrade to Mac OS X
Upgrading to Mac OS X takes a little longer than installing it on a volume without Mac OS X, but it is the least intrusive way to install--most of your existing settings and applications are left untouched during an upgrade. In other words, you won't have to configure a lot of settings afterwards."

ali b

skeeterpod:

Sorry that you are having difficulty. I am not sure why you couldn't clone it. The value of creating a bootable clone is that you could boot the computer from it. However, it will, indeed, have to be a firewire HDD, as you cannot boot a PowerPC computer from a USB device. The main thing, though, is to have a good copy of your data which you cannot afford to lose. In addition, you have the MS Office: Mac and Adobe which you need to preserve, although if you have the install disk you can install from disk.

Under the circumstances, it might be advisable to backup your Users Folder or even just your Home Folder, and you can do this simply by dragging it to the drive to which you would like to copy it. Then you can do an Archive and Install according to the link previously posted. That will move your data, and if you choose, your settings, and your backup is basically for security in case things go wrong.

So, for the time being, simply drag your Home Folder to the USB drive and copy it in that way. Then when you have the install disk and after the installation we can assess the situation as to where things are.

About the Adobe and MS Office: Mac, do you have the install disks for these so that they can be installed directly?

😉 cornelius