How can I wipe clean and reinstall Mac OS 10.4 on a G4, Power PC machine without the install discs? I want to give this machine to charity with none of my information on it.
Rack Mount Servers
Hi,
Earlier, there was a (dban-2.0.0_powerpc.iso) download of an ISO file with a DBAN wiping utility for PowerPC. This would create a bootable CD-R that could be used at least on G3 Macs.
Otherwise, you may have to open the G4 Mac and remove the internal hard drive. It could then be connected to a USB universal bare drive adapter (one example at https://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/U3NV2SPATA/), which would allow another Mac (or PC) to erase the hard disk. Alternatively, you could keep the removed hard drive, or you could destroy it (using a hammer or drill).
Unfortunately, these methods would not allow the reinstallation of an operating system (without access to system discs). You would need retail discs with a system version higher than the one originally installed. Such discs could possibly be found via an online auction site, but would be expensive.
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/index-apple-specs-applespec.html
Hi,
Earlier, there was a (dban-2.0.0_powerpc.iso) download of an ISO file with a DBAN wiping utility for PowerPC. This would create a bootable CD-R that could be used at least on G3 Macs.
Otherwise, you may have to open the G4 Mac and remove the internal hard drive. It could then be connected to a USB universal bare drive adapter (one example at https://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/U3NV2SPATA/), which would allow another Mac (or PC) to erase the hard disk. Alternatively, you could keep the removed hard drive, or you could destroy it (using a hammer or drill).
Unfortunately, these methods would not allow the reinstallation of an operating system (without access to system discs). You would need retail discs with a system version higher than the one originally installed. Such discs could possibly be found via an online auction site, but would be expensive.
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/index-apple-specs-applespec.html
You're welcome!
I should add that all G4 Macs have FireWire ports. So, if necessary, if you have access to another FireWire-equipped Mac, FireWire target disk mode could be used as well to erase a hard disk.
If suitable Mac OS X system disc(s) cannot be found, you could also try a free Linux distribution for PowerPC (such as an old Ubuntu version on a live CD/DVD), at least as a temporary alternative.
Thanks for the response. It is very helpful.
Wipe and reinstall Mac OS on a Power PC based G4 machine.
