Need to downgrade from OS 10.5 to OS 10.2 on Old 17" Powerbook

Question

Level 1

0 points

Need to downgrade from OS 10.5 to OS 10.2 on Old 17" Powerbook

I need to downgrade my original 17" Powerbook from OS 10.5 so that I can operate OS 9. I have the original 2 install disks, which are 10.2, but I can't start up from the disk. My CD/DVD drive is bashed in so I have to use an external CD/DVD drive, but I successfully upgraded using this system. Every time I try to start up using an install disk below 10.5 using the "c" key method (I have tried the Powerbook 10.2 install CD, a 10.4 install CD from a Mac mini, and the 10.4 install CD from my current Macbook Pro), I get a grey screen with the apple, a blue screen, and then it boots up like normal to show my 10.5 desktop. I need suggestions on how to downgrade this computer because I really need to run several OS 9 programs for my research. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you.

17" Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Nov 14, 2009 4:21 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Nov 14, 2009 7:29 PM in response to krissybush

Put the Jaguar installer disc one into the external optical drive then restart the computer. After the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the icon for the optical drive and click on the large right arrow button. When you reach the point for selecting a target disk select the internal drive then click on the Options button. Select the Erase and Install option then click on the OK button. Complete the installation.

As I recall your model cannot boot OS 9 so it came with a special version of OS 9 that could be used with the Classic emulator. You will need to install the OS 9 that came with the computer to use with Classic. It should be accessible via the optional software installers included with OS X and accessible from disc one of the software restore set of discs.

Reply

Answer 2

krissybush Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 16, 2009 10:48 AM in response to krissybush

After I select the Jaguar disk using the option boot up method, the apple screen appears, then it changes to a white screen with terminal type writing across it ("panic (cpu 0 caller 0x002E59BC): Unable to find driver for this platform: "Powerbook 5.1"...............panic: We are hanging here.....") and a mandatory restart message "You need to restart your computer. Hold down the power button for several seconds or press the Restart button". Any ideas?

Thanks.

Reply

Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Nov 16, 2009 11:06 AM in response to krissybush

That usually means the version of OS X you have is not compatible with the hardware. For example, the hardware shipped with 10.2.4 but the disc you are using has 10.2. That means you have a version that is too early and does not contain support for the hardware. Or it can mean the disc you have is defective. Or it can mean the hardware is defective and needs repair.

Reply

Answer 4

krissybush Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 16, 2009 11:25 AM in response to krissybush

Funny considering prior to upgrading to 10.5, I have used the disk to wipe the computer multiple times. I have heard that once you have upgraded to 10.5, it won't let you downgrade (a fault of 10.5).

Reply

Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Nov 16, 2009 11:31 AM in response to krissybush

This is simply not true. If you erase the drive you can install any lower version of OS X that is compatible with the hardware.

Reply

Answer 6

krissybush Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 16, 2009 11:46 AM in response to Kappy

Apparently it is true since 10.5 is not allowing any lower OS to be installed.

Reply

Answer 7

Nov 16, 2009 11:48 AM in response to krissybush

Apparently it is true

No it isn't.

Reply

Answer 8

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Nov 16, 2009 12:26 PM in response to krissybush

You cannot simply install a lower version over an newer version. To install an older version you need to first erase the hard drive. See the following:

1. Boot from your OS X Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu.

2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.

3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.

4. Quit Disk Utility and return to the installer. Proceed with the OS X installation.

Reply