krich161616

Q: Laptop cannot install OS X Leopard, install failure

Hello,

 

   Recently acquired a Powerbook G4. Laptop was bought a few years ago brand new and never been used. I started it for the first time and it worked. Thereafter it would not. I took it to an Apple store and they stated they would not work on it because it is a Legacy device. The rep however told me to install Leopard on it and it should work fine.

 

  So, I'm installing Leopard; it checks my hdd, good. it checks the disc, good. I have enough hdd space and memory. It's installing, have about half way to go and it tells me it cannot finish installing the OS. No error or anything. So I've tried to do this many times and it keeps saying the same thing. I have reseated the memory also.

 

 

Any help would be great. Thanks so much!

PowerBook, trying a clean install of Leopard

Posted on Jul 31, 2012 8:01 AM

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Q: Laptop cannot install OS X Leopard, install failure

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  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Jul 31, 2012 8:21 AM in response to krich161616
    Level 8 (35,306 points)
    iPad
    Jul 31, 2012 8:21 AM in response to krich161616

    Is the Leopard disk a full retail install disk:

    leopard_disk.jpg

    or the light-gray disk  from another Mac? The gray disks seldom work except on the model with which the shipped. And burned disks almost NEVER work except for the people who make money selling them to unsuspecting customers.

     

    Did you try any other optical disks in the drive before trying to upgrade the OS? I'm wondering if the drive iteslf had a fault that stopped installation.

     

    Did you wipe the HD before installation for a clean install or did you do an "upgrade in place?"

     

    Also, as PowerBook G4s were made for a number of years with different specs. it would help us to know which one you have. Screen size and processor speed are a good place to start. If the computer will not start after the aborted attempt to install, you may need to look for a sticker with the processor specs. I thik it's inside the battery bay on many models.

  • by Knucklesmac,

    Knucklesmac Knucklesmac Jul 31, 2012 8:23 AM in response to krich161616
    Level 4 (2,225 points)
    Jul 31, 2012 8:23 AM in response to krich161616

    Hello,

     

    The Leopard DVD disk you have, is it new and scratch free?

    If the DVD is fine, then they maybe some hardware faults with this PowerBook. Try resetting the PMU before installing again.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431

     

    Best of luck

  • by dalstott,

    dalstott dalstott Jul 31, 2012 11:01 AM in response to krich161616
    Level 4 (2,625 points)
    Jul 31, 2012 11:01 AM in response to krich161616

    The early G4 PowerBooks can only use up to OS X 10.4.11. This would be models   3,2   3,3    3,4    which were made in 2001 and 2002.