Installing OS X on Graphite Clamshell iBook, need help

Question

Level 1

0 points

Installing OS X on Graphite Clamshell iBook, need help

I recently bought a second-hand Graphite Clamshell that works well under OS 9, but I want to put OS X (10.3) onto it so I can actually use the internet on it. My discs are DVDs so I can't boot off the internal optical, drive which is just CD, but I did get it booting off an external USB DVD drive. However, I get this when booting OS X off the external...

support.apple.com/kb/TS1892?viewlocale=en_US#one

And it just sits there.

Any suggestions for getting OS X onto the Clamshell?

I have a working G3 tower currently running the same OS X I want to install, could it be a simple case of copying the OS via a thumb drive over to the Clamshell like you could do with the classic OSs?

Posted on Nov 21, 2011 3:55 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

726,719 points

Nov 21, 2011 4:03 PM in response to DarthKomar

You can't use those machine specific DVDs to upgrade the iBook. Retail copies of Mac OS X 10.3 and earlier always come on CDs. You also can't boot Mac OS X 10.3 from an USB drive, so cloning it won't work unless you happen to have a FireWire port on the computer.

(61706)

Reply

Answer 2

DarthKomar Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 21, 2011 4:05 PM in response to Niel

Wasn't looking to do a clone, I was wondering if it would be as simple as copying the system folder like you can with the classic OSs

Reply

Answer 3

Niel

Level 10

726,719 points

Nov 21, 2011 4:08 PM in response to DarthKomar

It isn't. You need to buy Mac OS X 10.3 on CDs to upgrade, unless the note about FireWire above applies.

(61707)

Reply

Answer 4

Nov 21, 2011 5:49 PM in response to DarthKomar

You need to check if your Mac requires a firmware (Boot ROM version in System Profiler) update. Mac OS X: Available firmware updates http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117 If an update is required, the update must be installed (using OS 9) BEFORE you install OS X.

What color is the DVD - black or gray? You have to use a black, retail installer.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Reply

Answer 5

Niel

Level 10

726,719 points

Nov 21, 2011 5:54 PM in response to Texas Mac Man

As I said above, Mac OS X 10.3 DVDs are never retail installers. Every single one is specific to the Mac model it shipped with.

(61710)

Reply

Answer 6

DarthKomar Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 21, 2011 6:14 PM in response to Niel

I used iBook G4 gray discs to install it on a B&W G3 tower...I figured it should work with the Clamshell :-/

Reply

Answer 7

DarthKomar Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 21, 2011 6:19 PM in response to Texas Mac Man

Gonna give that a go, thanks

Reply

Answer 8

DarthKomar Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 21, 2011 6:38 PM in response to Texas Mac Man

I have OS 9.0.4 on the Clamshell, I need OS 9.1 to install the firmware update...The updates for OS 9.0.x to 9.1 aren't up for download anymore...

Reply

Answer 9

Nov 21, 2011 7:21 PM in response to DarthKomar

You can download the update here.

http://ftp.iinet.net.au/pub/apple/US/Macintosh/System/

\

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Reply

Answer 10

DarthKomar Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 24, 2011 4:06 PM in response to Texas Mac Man

It says the update can only be installed over the US English version of Mac OS... Not sure what version I do have, but I'm in Australia so it should be that... Anything you can do to help Texas Mac? :/

Reply

Answer 11

ejm777

Level 1

0 points

Aug 25, 2013 5:27 PM in response to DarthKomar

Hello I have the original CD's from my macbook pro ca. 2007.. I have a orange clam shell ca. 1999 w/ out its system 9 oridgnal system soft ware. And would like to install the system 10 w/ those CD's from the macbook. how to, and is it possible?

Reply