G4 will not boot after update

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Level 1

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Making a move to Mac and started with a used G4. Worked excellent and the learning curve was rising.

First time on line it wanted updates so I abliged and it died after the restart attempt.

Inserted the build disc and now there is a faint rythmic clicking. Blank (black) screen.

Been searching for ideas and found lots of key combinations, all that haven't produced a boot from CD.

So I'm looking for some help at an advanced hardware level?

Thanks in advance

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Nov 20, 2013 6:57 PM

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Answer 1

Level 10

82,841 points

Option key boots from CD, if the CD is bootable by the G4. The only exception is the first G4 known as a PCI G4.

Only retail 10.5 installer discs will boot a G4, if you don't have the original discs, or older retail discs.

System specific discs that belong to other Macs, OEM discs, Update discs all will not work.

To learn more about retail discs, see my user tip:

G4s can't boot anything newer than 10.5.6 retail, and that's if they are at least 867 Mhz.

Less than 867 Mhz, and you must boot from a 10.4.6 retail or older as outlined in this tip:

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