Reinstall OS on TiBook G4 400, screen states "can't install - need earlier version"?

Question

Reinstall OS on TiBook G4 400, screen states "can't install - need earlier version"?

Recently my TiBook has refused to respond to a link in e-mail and instead the internet connect comes up. I thought a reinstall of the OS would solve problem. I have been running OS X 10.4.9 so I loaded the upgrade disk and started the reinstall. When I reached the point in the installation where the HD is selected I got the "cant install need an earlier version" message. I then tried to install OS 9.0.4 and upon restarting got the screen of death with the blinking question mark on a file icon. What is happening and what am I doing wrong?

Thank you

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.1), PowerBook G4 - 400 Titanium, PowerMac G4 QuickSilver (2002), Du

Posted on Jan 24, 2013 7:10 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jan 24, 2013 7:14 PM in response to John Callahan1

You have an upgrade disc. It can only be used to upgrade a previous version of OS X. A Tiger upgrade disc would be used on a machine with Panther installed (10.3.) Upgrade discs are not full installers.

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Answer 2

Jan 24, 2013 7:20 PM in response to Kappy

I also have a MAC OS v10.2 install disc set and I get the same results. Thanks

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jan 24, 2013 7:26 PM in response to John Callahan1

How so? If your computer requires 10.3.x then you cannot start it with a 10.2.x disc. If you bought that computer with a drop-in upgrade disc for 10.4.x, then your computer originally had 10.3.x installed. That's what you need to use the upgrade disc.

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Answer 4

Jan 24, 2013 7:39 PM in response to Kappy

According to Mactracker OS 9.1 was original later upgraded to OS X 10.1.1 with a max of 10.4.11.

Thanks

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jan 24, 2013 7:44 PM in response to John Callahan1

But you cannot upgrade OS 9.1 with your upgrade disc. In fact it would seem the upgrade disc isn't even intended for use with the computer model you have. What original discs to you have for it?

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Answer 6

Jan 25, 2013 1:35 PM in response to Kappy

The disks I have are all "install" disks, if that is the proper term, except for the OSX Tiger Upgrade DVD.

The OS 9 install disk is Version 9.2.1. The "upgrade" disk is Tigar 10.4 and when I attempted to load that in my TiBook is when my problems started although I have used it in the past to upgrade my OS X 10.2.

I believe that the OS 9 install disk may be compatible with my G4 TiBook 400 although it is not original to my G4 TiBook 400 as I bought it second hand and the original install disks were not with it.

I deeply appriciate your help and hope I have made myself clear. My intent is to, hopefully, get my TiBook operating again. Thank you

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Answer 7

Jan 25, 2013 2:46 PM in response to John Callahan1

Here's the spec page on your G4 400MHz TI PowerBook.

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/specs/powerbook_g4_400.html

It came with OS 9.1 installed and no version of OS X installed. You can't install a system version lower than that that was preinstalled. That's why the OS 9.0.4 won't work.

For OS X, you need a retail version of the installer. Yoy can't use a gray disc from another model Mac.

Tiger is no longer available at the Apple Store. For other sources, do a Google search for MA453Z/A (10.4.6), MA190Z/A (10.4.3) and M9639Z/A (10.4). Also look on eBay. Be sure & buy a retail version (black with silver X) and not a model specific version (gray) (See http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1976068 Can I use another Mac's system restore disc on my Mac?. ) Expect to pay $100+ for the install disc.

After you install the base 10.4.x, update to the final Tiger version 10.4.11. Here's the link for the 10.4.11 combo update http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24901?viewlocale=en_US

Look at this link Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger Installing Software Support Page

http://www.apple.com/support/tiger/install/

You can also download the Tiger Installation and Setup Guide

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Tiger_Install_Setup_Guide.pdf

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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Answer 8

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jan 25, 2013 5:23 PM in response to John Callahan1

As I remarked I don't believe you have a valid OS X full installer DVD. You have "upgrade" discs none of which can install OS X on an erased drive or a drive containing the same version that is on the upgrade disc. If you wish to upgrade to Leopard then you need full retail Tiger installer DVD for your computer. To install Tiger would require a full retail installer DVD for Panther.

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