I have an older imac g3 with no software. When I turn it on it has the folder/question mark. I am having a hard time finding start up install software for it. I found this on ebay and wasnt sure if this is what i need
apple imac software install cd version 1.3 mac os version 9.1 691-3097-a. thanks!
iMac
That's a machine specific grey install disc, you need a retail disc that will work on any machine. Look for a retail Panther disc, or Tiger.
You need to figure out the level of your firmware before installing10.2 or greater. ( The PC name for firmware is BIOS. ) Installing 10.2with a down level firmware will most likely make your iMac unusable anddifficult to fix.
What is firmware?
The firmware software receives control when you poweron yourmachine. It does some hardware testing and some hardwareconfiguration then passes control to your version of MacOS. It reside on a PROM ( program read only memory ) chipon the logic board.
Figuring out what level of firmware you have?
Open Firmware, boot into Open Firmware.
Power on your iMac while holding down command+option+o+f
The first output line contains the firmware level. Mine reads:
Apple PowerMac4,1 4.1.9f1 BootRom built on 09/14/01 at 13.18.04
Copyright 1994-2001 Apple Computer Inc.
On my machine, I have 4.1.9f1.
What firmware do you need?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
For a slot loading iMac, this article indicates that you need to berunning 9.1 or later version of Mac OS Classic.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75130
"The iMac Firmware Update 4.1.9 will only run on iMac computers withlot-loading CD or DVD drives running Mac OS 9.1 or later from a localdrive. If you are using Mac OS X you must boot from a local Mac OS 9.1or later writeable partition (not a CD, or network disk) prior tofollowing the update instructions."
You can download the Mac OS 9 updates from the Apple site.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1387?viewlocale=en_US
For tiger, you need 256meg of memory. A slot loader will take1gig of memory.
He needs OS9.2.2 before he can load OS X I think, Miriam.
9.2.x is also needed to check and update if necessary the firmware, depending on which G3.
Given the scarcity of OS9 retail discs, it may be worth trying the disc you have, peacefrog. Unlike later Macs, some of the grey discs will work on earlier hardware.
Of course, if you haven't bought it yet you have to be aware it may be money down the drain. Pigs and pokes spring to mind.
The imac may need a hard drive. I have a imac g5 with the same picture and opened it and saw the hard drive was removed.
Bsellner, you just woke up a 3 year old thread out of the history. It is true, it may need a hard drive. Opening an iMac G3 is much harder than iMac G5.
imac g3 software?
