Igor_G5
Level 2 (318 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Can a PowerBook G4 (6,4) boot from an OS installed on an external USB HD?

I have a late 04 12" PowerBook G4 and I'm getting an external USB HD. Can I install an OS on the external drive and boot from it?

Posted on May 17, 2012 12:46 PM

by Michael Black,Solvedanswer
Michael Black Michael Black
Level 7 (24,214 points)
A:

Nope, G4 powerbooks will not boot from a USB drive, only a firewire drive.

Posted on May 17, 2012 12:47 PM

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Igor_G5

Q: Can a PowerBook G4 (6,4) boot from an OS installed on an external USB HD?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Michael Black,Solvedanswer

    Michael Black Michael Black May 17, 2012 12:47 PM in response to Igor_G5
    Level 7 (24,214 points)
    May 17, 2012 12:47 PM in response to Igor_G5

    Nope, G4 powerbooks will not boot from a USB drive, only a firewire drive.

  • by Allan Jones,Helpful

    Allan Jones Allan Jones May 17, 2012 12:50 PM in response to Michael Black
    Level 8 (35,071 points)
    iPad
    May 17, 2012 12:50 PM in response to Michael Black

    In support of Michael and to pro-act should someone come back with  "sure, you can boot USB," there are a handful of PowerPC Macs that, according to Apple, are theorectically USB-bootable. In reality, very few are, even with some of the hacks floating about.

  • by Igor_G5,Helpful

    Igor_G5 Igor_G5 May 17, 2012 12:51 PM in response to Michael Black
    Level 2 (318 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 17, 2012 12:51 PM in response to Michael Black

    Hi Michael,

     

    Thanks for the fast reply. I hardly finished posting it and I had your reply.

     

    Jon

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black May 17, 2012 1:04 PM in response to Igor_G5
    Level 7 (24,214 points)
    May 17, 2012 1:04 PM in response to Igor_G5

    One other thing I just thought of - your powerbook will only have USB 1 ports, does it not?, so a USB drive is going to be dog Sloooooow.  I have a '06 Powerbook G4 that still runs, and it was/is horrid with a USB drive.

     

    Hmm - just looked, and no, you have USB2, still - firewire is a huge step up.  OWC sells drives with both firewire and USB ports, so you'd still be able to use it with other devices or later on.