Q: Newbie needs Pro for G5

I do not have the OS disk nor mac keyboard or mouse just the tower.

And a totally obsolete operating system!

What do you expect it to do for you?

To initiate many of the Mac keyboard commands at startup, you need to use an Apple Keyboard.

There is no workaround for this.

You can find used Apple USB keyboards online from Amazon or eBay or if you have and local or independent computer outlets in your area that service Apple Macs, you maybe able to find used Apple USB keyboards at places like this.

Here are a couple that would work on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-M9034LL-A-USB-Keyboard/dp/B0000ACOBG/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc &ie=UTF8&qid=1344981700&sr=1-3&keywords=Apple+keyboards

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-109-Key-Version-Keyboard-1003199/dp/B002C7JG4A/ref=s r_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1344981700&sr=1-4&keywords=Apple+keyboards

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Aluminum-Wired-Keyboard-MB110LL/dp/B000V07N9U/ref=sr _1_5?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1344981905&sr=1-5&keywords=Apple+keyboards

The mouse you have should work and have basic mouse functionality. You might try plugging it in after your G5 powers up.

If the mouse is a multi-button mouse, you may have to located, install and download the specific driver for that make and model mouse to be able to get the additonal functionality.

If the mouse that you are using still isn't responding, you need to try another mouse or purchase a mouse that is both PC/Mac compatible. Not all mice can be used on Macs. That is if you want the extra mouse functionality.

Klaus,

That wasn't any help to the OP.

It's clear the OP can boot the G5, there is sufficient memory for it to operate and the OS X version that is running on the G5 is Jaguar. Yes, it's obsolete, but should still work.

It maybe the keyboard and mouse are either too new to work with the current OS X version or simply not a Mac compatible keyboard or mouse.

The older white or black key Mac keyboards should work. Maybe stay away from the aluminum keyboard as I just found it needs an OS of OS X 10.4.11 or greater.

Here's a link to another older style Mac keyboard that should work with your G5

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/M7803BKD/

Grigles,

Klaus is right though.

If you plan on using this Mac for daily use, you are going to need to spend some cash to upgrade this G5 to something usable.

Even then, there is only so far you can go and you'll still be, at least in terms of software and OS, you will be forever behind as the last OS that can run on your G5 is almost 6 years old.

If this G5 had OS X 10.2.x on it , this is definitely the first 2003 G5 models.

What is your intentions for this Mac will answer what you wish to do with this Mac and will determine the path you may wish to go with this Mac for upgrades and updates.

Klaus,

That wasn't any help to the OP.

It was a serious question. Panther cannot run a version of Safari or Flash Player that can surf today's web or play YouTube videos. PPC applications old enough to run on Panther can be hard to find. Later versions of OS X, on a proper black retail install disk, that can run on a PPC Mac, Tiger or Leopard, can be hard to find on eBay or Amazon, and are quite expensive. Keyboards and mice that will work with that OS and Mac can be hard to find.

So before Grigles embarks on a mission to get the stuff together that might make his Mac work, it is worth asking: what does our friend expect his Mac to be capable of?

I didn't see your latest post when I was writing mine. Glad you now see it my way!

This link has some useful info on G5s. http://www.apple.com/support/powermac/ There's a link to download a Users Guide.

For information on your Mac (model, date of production, etc) then enter your serial number at this site. Information, based on the serial number, will be shown.  http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html or last 3 characters of S/N at this site http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/

Post back with the model info.

Suggest you join LEM-Swap for buying & selling Mac stuff. http://groups.google.com/group/lemswap

After you join, post a WTB (want to buy) to get a keyboard & mouse at a reasonable price.

 Cheers, Tom

OS 10.2 was first released in August 2002, a decade ago.

The first G5 PowerMac was released in June 2003, with an update (increased clockspeed) in June 2004. The final update was in October 2005 and production ceased in August 2006.

Obsolete products are those that were discontinued more than seven years ago. Apple has discontinued all hardware service for obsolete products with no exceptions. Service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products. These include ALL G4 models. On November 23, 2011 all G5 models were declared as 'vintage'. Obsolescence cannot be far behind.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1752?viewlocale=en_US

Don't spend too much money on this.

I'm wondering if you know someone with another mac, and you try to connect the two via firewire. Perhaps you can insert a "newer" OS (Maybe Panther would still work on this). If you insert the install CD into another Mac, and try install a fresh OS onto the G5 hard drive, perhaps that could work. Because the drive is in operation, maybe, add a second hard drive to take the OS and reboot selecting the new OS. Bit of a shot in the dark, but who knows.

Or can you try installing a Newer OS onto a firewire drive, and boot from that.

If the G5 recognizes another OS on a disk, it will give you the choice of which disk to choose from, especially if the usual one it uses is damaged and can't boot.

see how it goes.

Had another thought,

I think that the earlier G5s supported, Classic Mode, where you were able to have OS9 running on it. If thats the case, whats the possibility of pulling the hard drive out and running an older version of Norton Utilities. But you would still need another mac to trooble shoot. Sounds like a fun project, but as Klaus1 said, what do you expect it to do for you? I use my old G4 as a scanner. OS9 is the only OS that supports the Umax Powerlook Scanner, and to that a 1400DPI Epson Printer. You can get some life out of it, but don't expect too much more than the thrill of the challenge.