HT1544: Installing Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

Learn about Installing Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
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Q: I have misplaced my OSX 10.5 installation disks...

I have misplaced my OSX 10.5 installation disks, can I download to my MacBook Air a version of the startup discs and save it from there to an external thumb drive for installation on an old iBook G4?  Where would I find such files if this process is available?

 

I need to wipe the drive on the iBook G4 and reinstall the OS on a clean drive.

 

Thanks for your suggestions.

iBook G4, iOS 5

Posted on Jul 21, 2012 3:22 AM

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Q: I have misplaced my OSX 10.5 installation disks...

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  • by WZZZ,

    WZZZ WZZZ Jul 21, 2012 6:52 AM in response to Summit Trail
    Level 6 (13,112 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 21, 2012 6:52 AM in response to Summit Trail

    10.5 can't be downloaded, only available on disc. Avoid the temptation to get a pirated version from a torrent, which will probably come with malware. No longer available from Apple, and anywhere else -- providing it is the full retail version and not the grey, machine specific one, which won't work on your Mac -- will be exorbitantly expensive. Try to find it.

  • by Neville Hillyer,

    Neville Hillyer Neville Hillyer Jul 22, 2012 4:30 AM in response to Summit Trail
    Level 4 (1,877 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 22, 2012 4:30 AM in response to Summit Trail

    Don't wipe anything until you are sure you can replace the OS.

     

    It is common to clone an OS to an external disk and then replace it or put it on another compatible computer.

     

    Carbon Copy Cloner does this easily with default settings - check their disk preparation (format) page first.

     

    Here is my standard upgrade information in case you need it:

     

     

    Before the install

    Ensure your data (at least all Home folders) is backed up before you install. Hard disks can fail at any time so it is important to regularly backup to an external disk with Time Machine or a third party alternative. Inexperienced users should follow Apple's install advice but experienced users may prefer to do a clean install.

     

    OS numbers and names

    OS X 10.4.x - Tiger

    OS X 10.5.x - Leopard

    OS X 10.6.x - Snow Leopard

    OS X 10.7.x - Lion

    OS X 10.8.x - Mountain Lion

     

    More about Macs

    The Apple History site has specifications for every Mac ever produced: http://www.apple-history.com

     

    Upgrade to Leopard

    Those wishing to upgrade to Leopard should be aware that install disks can be expensive. Details: http://lowendmac.com/deals/best-os-x-leopard-prices.html Standard Leopard installers impose several hardware limitations including speed and RAM size but all these restrictions can be overcome. Google for details. Leopard works well at 500 MHz with 1 GB of RAM and many happy users have less than this.

     

    Upgrade beyond Leopard

    OSs beyond OS X 10.5.8 require an Intel processor. If in doubt click the apple at the top left of your screen and select 'About this Mac'. This will give you your OS number. Then click 'More Info' to see which processor you have. If it says PowerPC you cannot upgrade to Snow Leopard and above. If you have an Intel Mac it is well worth upgrading to Snow Leopard now and then considering other options after that. You can buy Snow Leopard here: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A

     

    Upgrade to Lion

    Information about upgrading Snow Leopard to Lion: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD256Z/A

     

    Upgrade to Mountain Lion

    Information about upgrading Snow Leopard or Lion to Mountain Lion: http://www.apple.com/osx/specs/

     

    Important

    1. Check that your Mac complies with any requirements.
    2. If you are not in the US you should use the Change Country link at the bottom of Apple pages.
  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Jul 22, 2012 4:52 AM in response to Summit Trail
    Level 9 (66,865 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jul 22, 2012 4:52 AM in response to Summit Trail

    iBook G4s can only use the retail 10.5 installer discs which look like: leopard.jpg and do not say Upgrade, Dropin, or OEM when it comes to 10.5

    If you install Leopard on your iBook G4, you'll lose access to Classic.   If you can't find the original installer discs that came with the iBook G4, sometimes AppleCare might have them, or you'll have to shop around used and refurbished Mac shops for them.  But the iBook G4's last included operating system was 10.4.4.   Not all 10.4.4 iBook CDs will work with all iBook G4s, so you have guess the age of the machine based on the serial number's 3rd, 4th, and 5th character.  Thus if the serial number is W8326xxxxxx, the 3 says the machine was made in 2003, and the 26 says it was made in the 26th week of 2003.

    To find the date range for the week, you can use a spreadsheet and add each row by 7 starting with the first row being 1/1/year.

    The row number will be the week, and the date will be the date at the beginning of the week.

    Once you have the approximate date of the week, it will be easy to search for the operating system on Wikipedia for the release date of the specific version of the operating system.  That would be the version you need for your iBook to have the original discs.  And those are the only discs that include the hardware test, some games, and Appleworks that was prebundled with the iBook.

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Jul 22, 2012 4:54 AM in response to Neville Hillyer
    Level 9 (66,865 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jul 22, 2012 4:54 AM in response to Neville Hillyer

    And Neville, please refrain from posting extraneous information.   iBook G4s are PowerPC.  So telling someone anything about 10.6 or later other than the fact they are incompatible with 10.6 or later is extraneous.

  • by WZZZ,

    WZZZ WZZZ Jul 22, 2012 5:34 AM in response to a brody
    Level 6 (13,112 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 22, 2012 5:34 AM in response to a brody

    Not sure how far back their database goes, but the OP should be able to enter the serial # here and get all that information quickly.

     

    http://www.chipmunk.nl/cgi-fast/applemodel.cgi

     

    I don't see why Apple wouldn't have the original discs, but he needs to get back to 10.5, so I don't see how that helps. A 10.5 retail install DVD is really what is needed. Unless he wants to stay with the original OS -- not recommended.

     

    Get the serial from >About this Mac>More Info

     

    Message was edited by: WZZZ