Tomtabibook105
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Q: Copying OS X to another mac?

I'll try and put this as simple as possible, though i know it's very complicated.

i have two computers. one of them is an iBook 366mhz Clamshell running os x 10.3 and the other is an ibook g4 1.2ghz with NO operating system installed.

my question is, is there a way to copy the version of os x from the clamshell onto the G4 without using install disks? the reason being that i dont want to have to buy over 100$ worth of retail install disks.

is there any way to put os x onto the ibook g4 without using install disks? or should i just take it into the apple store and get them to install 10.5 on it for me, and how much does that cost?

 

cheers,

tom

iBook, Mac OS X (10.3.x), Clamshell 366

Posted on Apr 24, 2014 7:23 PM

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Tomtabibook105

Q: Copying OS X to another mac?

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  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Apr 24, 2014 7:27 PM in response to Tomtabibook105
    Level 10 (271,879 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 24, 2014 7:27 PM in response to Tomtabibook105

    Sorry, but doing so violates Apple's Licensing which permits only one CPU per system. Each system must have it's own separate OS X installer discs just as they came with the computers when they were new.

  • by Tomtabibook105,

    Tomtabibook105 Tomtabibook105 Apr 24, 2014 8:21 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 24, 2014 8:21 PM in response to Kappy

    so do i take it into the apple store so they can put OS X onto it? And how much will it cost?

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Apr 24, 2014 8:23 PM in response to Tomtabibook105
    Level 10 (271,879 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 24, 2014 8:23 PM in response to Tomtabibook105

    Since it's illegal they won't do that either.

  • by Tomtabibook105,

    Tomtabibook105 Tomtabibook105 Apr 24, 2014 8:25 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 24, 2014 8:25 PM in response to Kappy

    its illegal to install a retail version onto a mac? Lol

    I'm asking if i can take it into the apple store so they can install sac os x disk onto it

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Apr 24, 2014 8:41 PM in response to Tomtabibook105
    Level 10 (271,879 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 24, 2014 8:41 PM in response to Tomtabibook105

    No. It's illegal to install it on more than one Mac at the same time. As I told you earlier. Taking it to an Apple store doesn't make a difference.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Apr 24, 2014 9:11 PM in response to Tomtabibook105
    Level 6 (14,587 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 24, 2014 9:11 PM in response to Tomtabibook105

    The system, installed in the G3 clamshell iBook, likely won't

    run correctly if at all, if copied or cloned into an iBook G4.

     

    The actual installer DVD or CD puts in items hardware vintage

    specific, so if a retail disc were used in the Clamshell, the

    resulting system would not be correct for a later iBook G4.

     

    Or not likely.

     

    However you could try to call AppleCare or Sales Support

    (not online store, or retail) to get a Replacement Installer

    DVD with white plain label, of Tiger OS X 10.4. That may

    not be old enough, however, since some of the Clamshell

    models topped out at Panther 10.3.9 or use installer CDs.

     

    If the Clamshell has FireWire ports, that is a workaround

    if its optical drive cannot use DVD installers, since an

    iBook G4 has FW400 ports and could be used in Target

    Disk Mode as an optical drive for the older G3 iBook.

     

    You could research the correct original install-restore CDs

    for the vintage iBook G3 Clamshell to see if you could get

    the original part numbers for that vintage.

     

    An independent Apple Specialist tech may have a way to

    install a test system on an older iBook G3, but that software

    is not something most would bother with due to the age

    and unlikelihood of much demand. So you may be looking

    at second hand stores, moving sales, craigslist ads, ebay

    and/or amazon affilate stores online to sleuth out installers.

     

    And OS X does not copy, it must be installed, or if you had

    the exact same duplicate computer and a system clone,

    the installed version (or Target Disk Mode in the other) may

    be used to attempt to make a boot clone, to test/repair the

    other similar computer. The jump from an early G3 to later

    G4 is not a likely match, and the license for each system is

    required to have the original or retail install discs as proof.

    Unless you had an original 'family pack' retail install disc set.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by Tomtabibook105,

    Tomtabibook105 Tomtabibook105 Apr 26, 2014 5:30 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 26, 2014 5:30 PM in response to K Shaffer

    My main question is... Can i take my iBook g4 to the apple store so that they can give me the original disks that came with the iBook so that I Can install it? If i do that, how much will it set me back?

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Apr 26, 2014 6:26 PM in response to Tomtabibook105
    Level 10 (271,879 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 26, 2014 6:26 PM in response to Tomtabibook105

    No. There may no longer be any original discs even from Apple, which is where you try. Your local Apple Store can't help you.

     

    To purchase replacement discs:

     

    Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 or visit online Help for more information.

     

    To contact product and tech support: Contacting Apple for support and service - this includes

    international calling numbers..

     

    The cost is around $50.00.