Need to update OS from 10.3.7

Question

Lindorama Author

Level 1

5 points

Need to update OS from 10.3.7

When I load the install disk for OS 10.4, the system never boots. Just the dreaded spinning wheel. Any suggestions?

It's an iMac G3. Yes, I have enough RAM, space, firewire, etc.

What's wrong?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Mar 12, 2013 10:01 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 12, 2013 10:04 AM in response to Lindorama

Booting From An OS X Installer Disc

1. Insert OS X Installer Disc into the optical drive.

2. Restart the computer.

3. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "C" key.

4. Release the key when the spinning gear below the dark gray Apple

logo appears.

5. Wait for installer to finish loading.

Reply

Answer 2

Mar 12, 2013 10:05 AM in response to Lindorama

Please provide more details on exactly which Mac you are attempting to upgrade.

Allan

Reply

Answer 3

Lindorama Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 12, 2013 10:09 AM in response to Allan Eckert

iMac G3, 450MHz Power PC 750

576 MB SDRAM

Reply

Answer 4

Lindorama Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 12, 2013 10:10 AM in response to Kappy

The problem is that the installer will not load.

Reply

Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 12, 2013 10:12 AM in response to Lindorama

Then either you have a non-functioning optical drive or a bad Tiger disc. Where did you get the disc? Does it have a gray label? Does the label say its an "Upgrade" installer?

Reply

Answer 6

Mar 12, 2013 10:14 AM in response to Lindorama

Have you tried Kappy's suggestion yet?

Allan

Reply

Answer 7

Lindorama Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 12, 2013 10:16 AM in response to Kappy

The optical drive works. I just now loaded 10.2 to reset the long forgotten password. I purchased the OS from Apple for a more recent machine and it installed fine at the time. It's a black DVD with a grey X on it.

Reply

Answer 8

Lindorama Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 12, 2013 10:18 AM in response to Allan Eckert

Yes. I am baffled. I would also be happy with upgrading to 10.3.9, but I don't have an install disk for that. Would it be available to download?

Reply

Answer 9

Lindorama Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 12, 2013 10:20 AM in response to Kappy

It does NOT say upgrade. Should it?

Reply

Answer 10

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 12, 2013 10:24 AM in response to Lindorama

No, it should not. It is possible the optical drive is out of alignment or the laser is dirty or the DVD is dirty.

Reply

Answer 11

Mar 12, 2013 10:28 AM in response to Lindorama

No. OS X is only available for download on version 10.7 and greater.

If you wish to get the original install disk for you Mac, you can call Apple Support and order the CD set.

I tend to agree with Kappy's comment that it sound more like dirty optics in the optical drive. You shopuld try to clean them first with a cleaning CD.

Allan

Reply

Answer 12

Lindorama Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 12, 2013 10:31 AM in response to Kappy

Ok. I just tested the DVD. I loads fine into my other computer. It loads fine into the G3 in question. I'm sorry that I may have used the wrong terminology. What this DVD will not do is is start the machine. When I have the DVD in the drive and restart the machine, holding down the C, this is when I get the spinning wheel. On and on and on. I have tried it 6 times.

And other DVDs work fine in the drive.

Reply

Answer 13

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 12, 2013 10:36 AM in response to Lindorama

How long are you waiting? It could take 10-20 minutes for the installer to load on that machine.

Reply

Answer 14

Lindorama Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 12, 2013 10:40 AM in response to Kappy

Thanks Kappy. Perhaps I have been impatient. I am trying again right now and have set a timer to 20 minutes. This indeed could be the problem. THANK YOU.

Reply

Answer 15

MlchaelLAX

Level 4

2,286 points

Mar 12, 2013 11:36 AM in response to Lindorama

Don't forget that Tiger (as did Panther before it) can run The Classic Environment, so that you can continue to run older OS 9 software, but you have to install it separately.

Reply