JeremyBotto
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Holding C or Option does not work.  No message.

I try holding down C or Option at startup, and neither of these work.  Other startup options work.  Is it perhaps because my USB isn't being recognized as bootable, or should these work either way?

 

I didn't get a 'waiting for network...' message, so I don't think it's firmware locked (could be wrong).  There's no bootup password sequence, so I'm assuming it's not firmware locked.

 

Own  a PowerBook G4 (I don't have the recovery CD because it was destroyed).  Trying to install Ubuntu.

 

Just trying to get this thing to update, but I'm gonna end up installing Ubuntu as a work-around.

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.4.1)

Posted on Jan 7, 2016 12:28 PM

by Antonio Rocco,Apple recommended
Antonio Rocco Antonio Rocco
Level 6 (10,586 points)
Desktops
A:

Holding the 'C' key at boot only works if you've a compatible CD/DVD inserted into the drive, assuming the drive still works? Holding the option key at boot brings up the boot disk manager. This should show valid boot systems that particular mac can recognise. For example the internal hard drive; a CD/DVD or firewire drive that has a compatible bootable OS, or a NetBoot bootloader on a server on your network.

 

An OS installed on an external USB drive won't show as PowerPC models did not support booting from USB. There should be a firewire port on the side and connecting the external drive (assuming it has a firewire port) with this method should work.

 

Updates for 10.4.x (Tiger) are still available:

 

Mac OS X 10.4.6 Combo for PPC

 

You should be able to download and install this easily enough?

 

It's been a while but I'm not sure now if you can update beyond 10.4.6 for the processor architecture of your particular mac? Only way to find out is to try it. If it does update beyond 10.4.6 then you should be able to go to 10.4.11. Beyond that it may be possible to install 10.5 (Leopard) depending on whether your CPU supports it?

 

Mac OS X 10.5 - Technical Specifications

 

How you get a Leopard installer may prove to be difficult but you could try Apple first (go to one of their shops) and failing that, amazon or eBay.

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 3:51 AM

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JeremyBotto

Q: Holding C or Option does not work.  No message.

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  • by Antonio Rocco,Apple recommended

    Antonio Rocco Antonio Rocco Jan 11, 2016 3:51 AM in response to JeremyBotto
    Level 6 (10,586 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 11, 2016 3:51 AM in response to JeremyBotto

    Holding the 'C' key at boot only works if you've a compatible CD/DVD inserted into the drive, assuming the drive still works? Holding the option key at boot brings up the boot disk manager. This should show valid boot systems that particular mac can recognise. For example the internal hard drive; a CD/DVD or firewire drive that has a compatible bootable OS, or a NetBoot bootloader on a server on your network.

     

    An OS installed on an external USB drive won't show as PowerPC models did not support booting from USB. There should be a firewire port on the side and connecting the external drive (assuming it has a firewire port) with this method should work.

     

    Updates for 10.4.x (Tiger) are still available:

     

    Mac OS X 10.4.6 Combo for PPC

     

    You should be able to download and install this easily enough?

     

    It's been a while but I'm not sure now if you can update beyond 10.4.6 for the processor architecture of your particular mac? Only way to find out is to try it. If it does update beyond 10.4.6 then you should be able to go to 10.4.11. Beyond that it may be possible to install 10.5 (Leopard) depending on whether your CPU supports it?

     

    Mac OS X 10.5 - Technical Specifications

     

    How you get a Leopard installer may prove to be difficult but you could try Apple first (go to one of their shops) and failing that, amazon or eBay.