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Level 1

105 points

Tiger will not install- help please

40GB iBook 12" G4 new, (refurb purchase from apple.com)
arrived loaded with Tiger but I zeroed the drive to install Panther to match my other iBook 12" G4. (These iBooks are a gift to my parents, trying to give them identical computers). I tried to install Panther from standalone Panther install CDs and also from the other iBook 12" G4 30GB and I also tried cloning. The 40GB would not boot. I did see it boot to install the Tiger DVD that came with it, so I knew the hardware was OK. The Apple Phone Support had told me last week that this iBook would run the clone of the older iBook, but the Apple Store told me this week that the newer iBook is hardwired to never boot in an older OS than what it arrived with. So now I am told it must be Tiger. Fine.
So I tried to install Tiger from the DVDs that came with the iBook again- but I noticed there are 3 DVDs:
Two "Mac OS X Install Disc 1"s, one labeled
"Mac OS X version 10.4.2" the other is labeled
"Mac OS X version 10.4.4"
The other disk is labeled
"Mac OS X Install Disc 2"

I used the 10.4.4 disk 1, let it do the time-consuming check and it installed and asked for Disc 2. At that point it said there was an error with the install and asked me to do the install again. Kept asking for Disc 2. I shut off the power, zeroed the drive again and started the install with the 10.4.2 Disc 1. All I can get is the screen with the little file folder flashing the Mac smiley face and question mark.

I have tried re-zeroing the drive, tried to do the hardware check (that just gives me a reload symbol and an arrow).

I'm just trying to load the OS that came with this iBook because it wont load Panther. At this point I'd be happy to load either Panther or Tiger on it, and of course, it's Sunday so I can't get help from Apple phone support.

I have 4 powerbook G4s running Panther here, and Carbon Copy Cloner, and Standalone versions of both Panther (on CD) and Tiger, the original install disks for all the computers, firewire cables...

I need to get this iBook running, please help?

Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Posted on Oct 1, 2006 7:40 AM

Best reply

Gulliver

Level 7

25,720 points

Posted on Oct 1, 2006 7:45 AM

Hi Rachel,

first of all: WELCOME TO THE DISCUSSIONS!

Don't install older versions of Mac OS than what comes with your computer

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19 replies

Gulliver

Level 7

25,720 points

Oct 1, 2006 11:13 PM in response to Rachel Corey

Good morning Rachel, and thanks for the stars!

Rachel Corey Author

Level 1

105 points

Oct 2, 2006 3:15 PM in response to Gulliver

I am sorry I took so long to post this, its been a long day catching up on everything I was supposed to be doing yesterday....

OK so the nice folks at Applecare actually caught on fairly fast to the situation. There is a way for them to research if my unit was actually old enough to use Panther, but my rep was unable to do it.

His solution is to send me a new set of 10.4.2 disks. They dont have a disk 2 for 10.4.4 and I think he actually couldnt see 10.4.4 disks. I told him that it seems to me that will be a waste of time since I already have 10.4.2 disks that wont install, but he is working on the theory that my 10.4.2 disc is somehow defective. I don't think so, I think the system is looking for a 10.4.4 disc 2 and wont let me install the older OS for pretty much the same reason that it wont let me install Panther- but apparently this is the only way to find out. If I get the 10.4.2 disks and they install, fine. (Well, it's fine with them, even though I will be more than half way through my 90 day warranty without the use of the computer.) If the new 10.4.2 disks dont install then MAYBE the next Apple tech will let me send the unit back, only then would it qualify as a "hardware" problem.

Insert unhappy icon here.

Rachel Corey Author

Level 1

105 points

Oct 15, 2006 11:36 AM in response to Rachel Corey

Well the 10.4.2 disks didn't show up so I called AppleCare. They said oops, they sent it standard and not overnight, so I should wait another week.

I waited another week and called on Friday October 13 and they said oops, we never actually sent the disks. They said they have 2 different systems and blah blah blah they didn't send the disks.

After waiting on hold 2.5 hours and having to speak to an unhelpful agent who refused to put me through to the next level agent - until I lost my temper, I got a helpful agent who still couldn't take reasonable steps to extend my warranty. It is now 2 months since the iBook arrived and is still missing parts or defective, and I still have to wait at least a week for parts, assuming that new parts will work. I asked if they would not just take this iBook back and let me buy another one off the site, or exchange it but that was also refused.

There is a note on my case giving me more applecare support phone credit but this is not enough. I have had this computer bought new (refurb) from Apple for 2 months and it doesn't work through no fault of mine. I am copying this thread and sending it to the Better Business Bureau and any other sources that might be able to help me get Apple to do the right thing. I expect this post will be removed. If it is, I am sorry Gulliver and thanks for all your help.

Rachel Corey Author

Level 1

105 points

Oct 24, 2006 12:53 AM in response to Rachel Corey

Well... I took the iBook into the Apple Store on 5th Ave and a genius there had the answer. For one thing there was nothing wrong with the install CDs as I said from the start, and the new set of install CDs wasn't going to help as I said from the start. The bottom line is that same ol' thing about how you can't load a OS version that is older on a Mac that came from the factory with a newer OS. So the bottom line was that the ONLY Tiger version that was going to load fully on my iBook is the standalone version of Tiger (DVD)- and the most recent standalone version of Tiger at that. Even the Tiger that shipped with my older iBook would not have worked.

So Customer Service shipped me a standalone version of Tiger and I had no problem with the install.

2 full months later, it finally works.

and they had forgotten to send me the install disks AGAIN.
Happily the standalone Tiger disk came from somewhere else.

Tiger will not install- help please