Start-up Disc getting full message on PowerBook G4

Hard drives should never be allowed to get more than 85% full. And then there is the minimum required by the operating system specs. Not knowing your Powerbook G4 model it is hard to know if you are using an operating system that requires more resources than you can get now, or if you can optimize what you have on your system.

An externally enclosed self-powered (AC Adapter) hard disk drive, with oxford-type

chipset, and FireWire400 ports, could be used to support a complete full system

clone that you could make of the internal drive's contents (a bootable copy) which

in turn could be a backup; so when you get the internal hard drive upgraded to a

larger capacity, the original content could be cloned or copied back into the PB G4.

Utilities such as carbon copy cloner (IF older version vintage OS X is available) or

another capable one, superduper; these can be downloaded direct from their

maker's sites (avoid offers of free downloads from other sources, may contain bad

software, malware, &/or adware; softonic, cnet downloads etc, can be sketchy.)

bombich software makes carbon copy cloner -- their site has been updated

http://bombich.com/ CCC for Mac OS X 10.5.8 is an older version 3 series:

http://bombich.com/kb/ccc3 this KB help support, haven't located download.

•Shirt pocket software makes Superduper: you can get free trial working version:

http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html

••Tiger (10.4) and Leopard (10.5) users can download v2.7.1, Jaguar (Mac OS X 10.2)

users can download v1.5.5, and Panther (Mac OS X 10.3) users can download v2.1.4,

the last releases available for those older versions of OS X.•• superduper archives

So I'd try a clone with SuperDuper, then test the viability of the boot capable clone

by testing it; a clone on suitable external hard drive (with supported circuitry &

chipset in the enclosure) should start the computer from that external. This can

also be helpful when troubleshooting; also for a complete backup in case the

internal HDD fails.

The company macsales or OWC has some fair examples of self-standing enclosures

with drives inside, that can be work for this. They appear to have customer support

before you buy, so call or email and ask. Be sure to correctly identify your Mac & the

OS X the machine is currently running. A port-powered external drive won't have a

system available for the host computer to boot from, so that won't work w/ clones.

oxford-type elite pro externally-enclosed hard disk drives w/ power supplies:

http://eshop.macsales.com/search/Elite+Pro+Oxford+934

Some authorized Apple service providers may be able to help replace an internal

hard disk drive with a larger one of suitable build, the older hardware is PATA or

IDE/ATA, so those are harder to get. A 2.5-inch internal HDD of 5400 RPM, in ATA

larger than the current capacity of the PowerBook G4's internal drive would do.

ATA (and SSD) 2.5 - inch drive examples are shown here:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/2.5-Notebook/

By archiving most of the content off the computer, you could choose to thin out

whatever files; delete from the Mac those, once you have a good copy. Of course

the system files should not be removed; unless you have old system folders from

prior re-installs that are no longer useful.

•Identify your Mac... an example of a way to learn about your Mac:

https://www.powerbookmedic.com/identify-mac-serial.php

Everymac.com has specs on entire PowerBook +G4 name series, across all models built:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/index-powerbook-g4.html

For any directly helpful advice you would need to correctly identify the computer

exactly, & the operating system version (and step; such as Tiger 10.4.11, Leopard

10.5.8; PowerBook6.7, PowerBook3.2 etc; you could identify the computer by

Serial Number, and note several other identifying numbers are needed to tell what

one you have; helpful to get it right so others know which one of many years-worth

you are discussing. Hard to be on the same & correct page, otherwise.

Hopefully you can make a suitable backup of your computer's system & your work

files, so you could then consider replacement of the internal HDD; or at least look

into a fully new installation & update of the current system from install-restore discs

and just don't put as much stuff inside. A bootable backup can help still access the

old complete system, when stored on an external HDD in suitable enclosure.

In any event...

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂