Q: Powerbook G4, old but loved, panic message when reinstalling original OS
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Feb 20, 2015 7:55 AMby babowa,Aside from the install issue, the "cannot be repaired" may mean that your hard drive may be failing. Try to insert your disk #2 and see if you can run the hardware test (run it in extended mode three times in a row) as outlined here:
Using Apple Hardware Test on computers with OS X v10.7 and earlier
AHT is located on the Applications Install Disc 2 and should be included with your computer or the MacBook Air Software Reinstall Drive on a MacBook Air (Late 2010). To start AHT on these computers make sure the Applications Install Disc 2 is inserted into the built-in optical drive, external Apple Superdrive, or for the MacBook Air (Late 2010) be sure the MacBook Air Software Reinstall Drive is inserted into a USB port. Then, follow steps 1-6 outlined in the previous section of this article.
What to do if you get an error in AHT
- Confirm that the power adapter is connected if you're using a Mac notebook.
- Confirm that all external devices are disconnected from your computer.
- Record any error code given so that you can give the information to a Mac Genius, Apple Authorized Service Provider, or Apple Technical Support Specialist.
Complete instructions here:
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201257
The other troubleshooting would involve purchasing Disk Warrior or Drive Genius (both cost a fair amount) and trying to repair the drive with them since that is the next step if Disk Utility cannot repair it.
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Feb 20, 2015 8:32 AMby zoekoolkat,Hi and thank you for your replies. I have identified the machine and can only run up to Tiger. I have now erased and solved the ‘grey screen’ problem. However, now I cannot longer finsih the installation process from disk . I can no longer select the destination volume as I should have a previous Mac OS installed in order to continue. That’s what the message says. Disk 2 doesn't work.
The previous version would be Mac OS 10.2 (Jaguar) and I have been hunting Ebay UK and pestering everyone I know in the hope of finding a copy.
To think that I had one eons ago and chucked it in a mad decluttering moment.....
Cristina
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Feb 25, 2015 10:17 AMby babowa,Is the disk grey? Grey disks were/are machine/version specific.
And, from what I saw on ebay, the alleged "retail" disks are all 10.2 - if yours came with 10.2.1 or later, they will not work because Macs cannot boot from an OS version older than what they came with. You'd have to ask Apple exactly which OS version was on yours originally by giving them your serial number.
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Feb 25, 2015 10:51 AMby zoekoolkat,The disk I bought is white with a maculated X in the middle and it just says Mac OS X v10.2
I did ask Apple a few days ago, gave serial number and all they could tell me was that 'it came with Panther'. But the Panther disks is only an upgrade and won't work. They had no idea.
Maybe I should keep ringing them until I am told.
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Feb 25, 2015 12:00 PMby ChitlinsCC,zoe
Can we take step back and get the details of your "Identify the Mac" efforts regarding your PowerBook G4?
Hi and thank you for your replies. I have identified the machine and can only run up to Tiger.... SNIP
No serial numbers, etc. but Model/Year/Processor/HD...
I bought a retail version of Jaguar 10.2 from Ebay and the Powerbook won't read it at all.
This is indeed puzzling to me... I have a Powerbook Pismo - launched almost a year before the first PB G4 model - that shipped with OS 9.x (I can't find my original CDs either) - but I DO have a bona fide Retail version of Panther that works like a charm (Boot to Installer TESTED) !!
My bet is that the eBay purchase is NOT indeed "retail" - even if it is in the packaging. My DISKs do NOT have "Retail" marked anywhere on them. The BOX has "retail version" in only ONE place = the BARCODE Sticker (located just above the actual BarCode).
If there is a way to find out whether the Jaguar disks are genuinely Retail, I don't know it.
In your later post(s), you indicate how the CD looks - like this?
Does the packaging look like this?
The BARCODE sticker, remember that is the only place I found the term "Retail Version", should be stuck to the bottom flap.
buenos tardes - I will continue to follow
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