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MDD Dual 1.25 G4 (2003)

Please forgive this potentially repetitive post, but after searching through articles here, I felt it better to post a new topic since the other posts were several months old and did not answer my specific question.

I have a Dual 1.25 G4 MDD (2003 model), and I cannot find my software restore discs. Two questions:

Does anyone know exactly which discs originally shipped with this computer (the Apple part numbers of the individual discs and of the Power Mac G4 Media package)? This information would really help my search for these from various used Mac vendors.

Is there anyone in California who has this particular model of computer? I ask because it seems that Apple offers support/sells parts for computers purchased in CA that were discontinued fewer than seven years ago, which includes this model ( http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1752). It seems to me that someone in CA with the 2003 MDD would be able to order replacement copies of system discs from Apple - so if you're out there, please contact me.

As far as I've read, I cannot order the discs direcly from Apple: I sure understand that they only have so many people to field calls and solve problems, and so they put priority on service for recent products, but I'm still going to call SOS-APPL first thing Monday and see what they can do. I've been a loyal Mac user for nearly 25 years, and I've been fortunate to have responsive people on the line for past tech support calls, so maybe I'll catch a break. In any event, the more information I have, the better off I'll be, so I'd appreciate any advice anyone can send my way.

Thanks to anyone who can help.

1.25 DP G4 MDD (2003), Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jan 9, 2011 2:43 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 9, 2011 3:16 PM

Hi Peter, and a warm welcome to the forums! 🙂

Please forgive this potentially repetitive post, but after searching through articles here, I felt it better to post a new topic since the other posts were several months old and did not answer my specific question.


Naw, you did good, they prefer it that you start a new topic to make it easier to stick to your exact problems.

Pre-Installed MacOS: 9.2.2, X 10.2


http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powermacg4/stats/powermac_g4_1.25mdd.html

Different/earlier model, but I wonder if these numbers would be the same or close...

PowerMac G4 (MDD - Jan 2002) original/authentic Apple restore disc set (grey color) in original white package ("600-9417 Power Mac G4 Media")
* Mac OS X 10.2 Install CDs (2): CD version 1.0: 2Z691-3183-A, 2Z691-3956-A
* Mac OS 9.2.2+Mac OS X 10.2 Restore CDs (4): CD version 1.0: 691-3545-A, 691-3547-A, 691-3548-A, 691-3600-A
* Apple Hardware Test CD: SW version 1.2.6: 691-3623-A

http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?14000-Various-vintage-par ts-for-sale

Is it the AHT Disc or System Discs you need, which OS?

Here's the list and downloads for AHT for some G4 models if you don't find yours, some G4s only have it on the Original Install Disc...

http://www.info.apple.com/support/aht.html
19 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 9, 2011 3:16 PM in response to Peter Treut

Hi Peter, and a warm welcome to the forums! 🙂

Please forgive this potentially repetitive post, but after searching through articles here, I felt it better to post a new topic since the other posts were several months old and did not answer my specific question.


Naw, you did good, they prefer it that you start a new topic to make it easier to stick to your exact problems.

Pre-Installed MacOS: 9.2.2, X 10.2


http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powermacg4/stats/powermac_g4_1.25mdd.html

Different/earlier model, but I wonder if these numbers would be the same or close...

PowerMac G4 (MDD - Jan 2002) original/authentic Apple restore disc set (grey color) in original white package ("600-9417 Power Mac G4 Media")
* Mac OS X 10.2 Install CDs (2): CD version 1.0: 2Z691-3183-A, 2Z691-3956-A
* Mac OS 9.2.2+Mac OS X 10.2 Restore CDs (4): CD version 1.0: 691-3545-A, 691-3547-A, 691-3548-A, 691-3600-A
* Apple Hardware Test CD: SW version 1.2.6: 691-3623-A

http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?14000-Various-vintage-par ts-for-sale

Is it the AHT Disc or System Discs you need, which OS?

Here's the list and downloads for AHT for some G4 models if you don't find yours, some G4s only have it on the Original Install Disc...

http://www.info.apple.com/support/aht.html

Jan 9, 2011 4:22 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for the quick reply!

It's the Power Mac G4 Media disc set I'm looking for, which should include both system restore discs and the Apple Hardware Test.

From what I've read the G4 Media set you've listed (part no. 600-9417, with OS 10.2) came with the single processor, earlier model FW 400 MDD G4s. I've also come to believe the older dual processor FW 400 MDD G4s shipped with G4 Media (part no. 603-1905) that had OS 10.2.1 included.

Maybe that distinction is not rock-solid, but since both of those have AHT 1.2.6, and since I read that the 2003 MDDs shipped with AHT 2.0.2, I'm led to believe that there is a different disc set than the two above for my computer.

Also, among the documentation that I have from the computer includes a "Welcome to Panther" booklet, suggesting that it came with some version of 10.3. Sorry, I should have mentioned that in the first place. I've upgraded to 10.4 since getting the computer, so I can't say for sure which version of 10.3 was originally installed (Mactracker makes me think it's 10.3.2).

Also, further information (if it helps): I got the computer in late October 2003, and the processor version is 3.3.

Your link for the hardware test downloads is helpful, but I'm not sure that the version listed there for the MDD G4s actually works with them: although MDDs shipped with 1.2.6, for some at least it was incompatible and in fact AHT 1.2.7 was needed (from http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1983392). As I mentioned I read elsewhere that 2.0.2 was distributed with Apple Power Mac computers introduced in 2003 - Mactracker lists this as well.

I suppose, as follow-up questions: what differences exist between, say, the dual-1.25 G4 MDD introduced in 2002 and my 1.25 DP 2003 model? Would the software restore discs be cross-compatible?

Peter

+For clarity, here are the disc sets referenced (common elements marked with an asterisk).+

+Disc set 600-9417, which you mentioned, includes the following:+
+Mac OS 10.2+
2Z691-3183-A
2Z691-3956-A
+System Restore Discs+
691-3545-A
691-3547-A
691-3548-A*
691-3600-A*
+AHT 1.2.6+
691-3623-A*

+Disc set 603-1905, which I found on Google, includes the following:+
+Mac OS 10.2.1+
2Z691-4104-A
2Z691-4105-A
+System Restore Discs+
691-4078-A
691-4103-A
691-3548-A*
691-3600-A*
+AHT 1.2.6+
691-3623-A*

Message was edited by: Peter Treut (format)

Jan 9, 2011 5:08 PM in response to Peter Treut

You have three possible builds. If shipped with a later version, it precludes the earlier:
Power Mac G4 (FW 800), Jan 2003, 9.2.2, 10.2.3, 10.2.4, 10.2.6, Build # 6H58, 6H60, 6J54


Check your Serial # at the following for an exact production date, which may help to narrow which release was out at the time:
http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

Jaguar release history here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacOS_X_v10.2#Releasehistory

My estimation is that 6J54 would be for machines with post May 2003 production dates.
Only a guess, however.

Jan 9, 2011 7:09 PM in response to rpowife

Thanks japamac for the link (and the chance to practice my Dutch): upon entering my serial number, I found that the computer was produced in October 2003. Note that it is not the FW 800.

It seems, rpowife, that we have the same model (or nearly so - mine looks to be a few months older) - the 2003 DP 1.25 G4. Were there other discs that came with your computer or just those two? Those numbers 691-4872-A and 2Z691-4873-A are indeed the part numbers I'm talking about - so I think we're partially there.

Is far as I can gather, the earlier MDDs, as well as earlier G4 models, had a number of discs, each with its own number, packaged in a white envelope labeled "Power Mac G4 Media" that had its own barcode and part number for the package. A few earlier ones had two system discs, four software restore discs, and one hardware test (hence my question about whether you have other discs, since I'm guessing that the 2003 MDD follows the pattern). (I may have left a 2Z or two off my listing in the post above for consistency, but it seems the pattern for the numbers is xxx-xxxx-A for the discs, sometimes preceded by a 1Z or 2Z; the Power Mac G4 Media envelope is just a xxx-xxxx number.)

Is the AHT on a separate disc or included in the two discs you mention?

I looked on the link listing the OS builds included with PPC Macs - it doesn't look like there's any listing for the 2003 FW 400 G4s.

The release history on Wikipedia is interesting as well, but if rpowife's computer was made in summer '04, but came with 10.3.2, then it suggests that the included OS could lag the newest version release schedule (it looks like 10.3.4 was out before May '04). In my case, however, since I have a "Welcome to Panther" booklet and my computer was made October '03, I'm guessing that my computer came with the first (10.3.0) version.

I tried to click the "helpful" link for all of you but after the first click the option disappeared (I'm still figuring out the forum interface) - but let me assure me your comments are helpful!

Jan 9, 2011 7:28 PM in response to Peter Treut

Just the two disks came with it as far as I remember. I usually keep everything when I buy a brand new mac. The AHT is listed on the first disk along with the OS version. The two disks are called Power Mac G4 Software Install and Restore 1 of 2 and 2 of 2. They are DVDs. Maybe earlier ones were CDs? Another interesting note: the copyright date is 2004 on the disks.

Jan 9, 2011 8:59 PM in response to rpowife

I forgot about the whole CD/DVD thing - so probably just those two discs.

rpowife wrote:
My MDD DP 1.25 2003 shipped new with 10.3.2 on it. AHT version 2.0.2. Is this the part number, 691-4872-A? That's the only thing on it that looks like a part number. The second disk has 2Z691-4873-A on it.


Mine was a BTO made in the summer of 2004.


Ok, so do people think that the two 10.3.2 install DVDs would work on my MDD DP 1.25 2003 made in fall of 2003?

I was wary about the disc sets that came from the earlier MDDs, but since these particular discs seem to have come with same model machine as mine I'm optimistic. These include OS 9, no?

A quick search for the 691-4872-A and 2Z691-4873-A DVDs has yielded no results. If I get the sense from you all these discs would be compatible, I'll post requests in places like the LEM Swap ( http://groups.google.com/group/lemswap) - but does anyone have any other leads for where I can find used discs? Of course, there's always the hope that I get lucky in calling Apple, but I'd appreciate any other suggestions.

Jan 9, 2011 10:20 PM in response to Peter Treut

Does anyone need AHT 2.0.1 and or 1.2.7 - I have these if anyone needs them.. I also had the original disks for the 2003 MDD G4 DUAL 1.25/single 1.25 and also the original MDD 867, 1.0 and 1.25.. sad to say, I sold those with my MDD when I sold it to a local neighbor near me.. If he still has it, I will make duplicates of the disks and they will be available.

Thats a BIG if..

Jan 9, 2011 10:22 PM in response to Peter Treut

, but I'm still going to call SOS-APPL first thing Monday and see what they can do. - DON'T BOTHER as they don't have them anymore... the only recovery disks you can get still are for the Late 2005 PM G5 Quad and dual core and of course all the Intel Macs... The disk sets for All Mac models prior to G5 Late 2005, have been destroyed and Apple doesn't keep backups of them..

Your best bet is to search ebay... if I had my original dual 1.25, I'd be happy to sell them to you.. but alas... I sold off my G4 MDD once I got into Intel..

Jan 10, 2011 9:50 PM in response to japamac

japamac wrote:
Ok, so do people think that the two 10.3.2 install DVDs would work on my MDD DP 1.25 2003 made in fall of 2003?

It all sounds like the right direction.
If nothing else, I suspect that the OS 9 build and the AHT would be usable.
I have more hope for a possibly later OS X build than I would for an earlier one.


Yes, that makes sense. It's certainly enough to convince me it's worth a shot - guess my original question is answered. Now the search is on.

I've found just one listing for the discs (691-4872-A and 2Z692-4873-A) but it's sold out of course. Again, if anyone else knows of a good vendor of used mac products, PLEASE let me know.

Thanks romko23 for the guidance - I couldn't telephone Apple today until well after business hours but I figure I'll still try, or perhaps stop by the Apple store. My having part numbers in hand, the process may be a bit more painless than a general search based on computer model (hence my question in this topic). I would be somewhat surprised if they do not stock these discs or something similar, given that http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1752 lists the 2003 MDD G4 as something Apple does provide parts for - I know it's for CA residents only, but if they make them available to at least some people, they must have them. If I can get someone to take pity on my cursed out-of-state luck, perhaps I can arrange an order. If not, well, I'll keep hunting.

MDD Dual 1.25 G4 (2003)

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