Ludwing250

Q: Powerbook G4 no OS X discs

Ok so i bought a used powerbook G4 since i could never afford a modern one.It is logged in as another user with a password I do not know. I either have to format the hard drive or replace it because the current is 70gb. Next I would have to use a OS X 10.4 or 10.5 disc which I do not have. So, where can i get one, buy it, burn an iso to a disc(which i don't want to)

 

     One last thing does the hard drive have a limit to what i can upgrade it to same goes for the RAM

 

 

          Processor: 1.25 GHz PowerPC G4

 

          Memory:     512 mb DDR SDRAM

         

          OS X    :    10.4.11

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Sep 29, 2012 9:54 AM

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Q: Powerbook G4 no OS X discs

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  • by BGreg,Solvedanswer

    BGreg BGreg Sep 29, 2012 3:11 PM in response to Ludwing250
    Level 6 (17,522 points)
    Sep 29, 2012 3:11 PM in response to Ludwing250

    Apple doesn't sell those operating systems anymore. You can buy new, unopened mac software from hardcoremac.com, as one source.  If you go used, recommend you get black-faced retail OS X disks, as opposed to gray-faced. Gray-faced disks are locked to the systems they are delivered with. And OS X 10.5 was never delivered with a Powerbook.

     

    Max memory is 2GB (2 x 1GB). The 1.25Ghz Powerbook is finicky about it's memory. Stick with OWC, Crucial, or Samsung memory.

     

    I've seen posts that the hard drive is limited to 250GB in that model Powerbook. It would take a parallel ATA hard drive, and not a serial ATA (SATA) drive.

  • by Texas Mac Man,Helpful

    Texas Mac Man Texas Mac Man Sep 29, 2012 3:45 PM in response to Ludwing250
    Level 8 (46,611 points)
    Sep 29, 2012 3:45 PM in response to Ludwing250

    Here's one method to reset the password without the install disc:

     

    1. boot computer and hold the "apple" key and the "s" key.

    2. wait for terminal show

    3. release keys

    4. type without the quotes: "/sbin/mount -uaw"

    5. press enter

    6. type without the quotes: "rm /var/db/.applesetupdone

    7. press enter

    8. type without the quotes: "reboot"

    9. press enter

     

    This will let you create a new admin account when you reboot your computer.

     

    Also, without the discs, look at Mac OS X Tip - No Password, No Root, No CD? No Problem.

    http://www.macobserver.com/tip/2003/06/16.1.shtml

     

    Here is a way to get around not knowing the admin password on Macs.

     

    To reset your OS X password without an OS X CD you need to enter terminal and create a new admin account:

     

       1. Reboot

       2. Hold apple + s down after you hear the chime.

       3. When you get text prompt enter in these terminal commands to create a brand new admin account (hitting return after each line):

              * mount -uw /

              * rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone

              * shutdown -h now

       4. After rebooting you should have a brand new admin account. When you login as the new admin you can simply delete the old one and you’re good to go again!

     

     Cheers, Tom