Trying to install os x 10.3 panther on g3 333GHZ iMac 512gig memory tray loading cd, erased and partitioned HD. 2 partitions 1st partition is 7.5 gig. Keep getting pax file error. I have full install disc, black, with key but never ask for key. number. Is there a work around for this error?
There is no "key" number for the operating system in question. 
Are you getting a login screen with a padlock?
THank you for the reply. The problem is not the key. The problem is the PAX file is missing since I formatted the disk drive. The install will not finish and gives the message that the PAX file is missing. I am considering purchasing OS 9 and installing 9 1st. But not sure if that will install without the PAX file. Any suggestions?
If your Mac is old enough to run Mac OS X 10.3, the newest Windows operating system it can run is XP.
PAX files as far as I can tell can only be run by Windows.
And I don't believe you can have enough RAM or the right CPU on that Mac anyway to run XP. See my FAQ
Running Windows on a Mac, and Connecting it to Mac
So installing Mac OS 9 won't make any difference either. The maximum emulated version of Windows available to Mac OS 9 was Windows 98.
Note: if it is a different pax file, then you should tell me who made it.
Thanks for the reply, sorry for not being clear on my problem. I have installed 512g memory and it worked well before I started the Panther install, not Windows. My mistake was erasing the hard drive before i started the Panther install. The Panther install is looking for the PAX file and will not complete without it.
Where are you installing the Panther from? Are you using the disc that looks like
and does not say Update, Dropin, or OEM on it? Note the serifs on the X.
Trying to install os x 10.3 on g3 333GHZ iMac
