OS X on G3 tower..

I am trying to use the install disks that came with my iBook G4 to install OS X on the G3 tower (350mhz, blue and white) I just bought off of ebay. I've tried a lot of things, such as updating the firmware(which said that it was already up to date) and I've installed a larger hard drive, dvd drive, and a few other things, but I just can't seem to be able to boot to the cd or install any of the software onto the G3 tower.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

G3, iBook G4, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Feb 18, 2007 2:30 PM

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3 replies

Feb 18, 2007 2:50 PM in response to uniquelucus

AThe majority of those grey install CDs are machine specific. If it was made for a G4 iBook it will only work on a G4 ibook. You'll need to find a OSX specific black Panther install CD.

By the way how much memory are you running with? YOu need at least 128 for OSX to consider instaling, and I would suggest at least 512. With the machine you have I'd go for 1GB.

Feb 19, 2007 9:00 AM in response to uniquelucus

Welcome To  Discussions

Hi uniquelucus!

Donny is absolutely correct! You need a Full Retail Version of whichever OS the G3 can sustain.

Here is some additional information.

Tiger is available for purchase at The Apple Store (U.S.).

Jaguar and Panther, are no longer available directly from the Apple Online Store, as Tiger 10.4.x is the most up to date OS.

If you know what to look for, Jaguar Full Retail CDs, a Full Retail Version, of the Panther Install CDs, or a Full Retail Version, of the Tiger Install DVD, can also be purchased rather inexpensively, at some online Apple retailers, Amazon, eBay, AppleRescue, FastMac, etc.

Be sure not to purchase grey, upgrade or machine specific CDs or DVDs.
Jaguar and Panther are only on CDs, not DVDs.
The discs should look like the images in the above links.

Additional info in these links.
Using OS X Install CDs/DVDs On Multiple Macs
What's A Computer Specific Mac OS X Release
Software Update, Upgrade: What's The Difference?

Before upgrading to any OS X version, check to see if your Mac needs a Firmware Update.
If one is required, you must start the computer from a Mac OS 8 or Mac OS 9 System Folder on the computer's hard disk, not from a CD, in order to install it.

Once Jaguar 10.2.x is installed, you can use the 10.2.8 Combo Update,

or if Panther 10.3.x is installed, you can use the 10.3.9 Combo Update, to upgrade to the final version of either OS.

If your Mac meets the System Requirements for Tiger, you could also consider installing that.
And then use the PPC 10.4.8 Combo Update, or the Intel 10.4.8 Combo Update.

Jaguar System Requirements
-Power Mac G3 or G4, iMac, eMac, PowerBook G3 or G4, or iBook computer
-128MB of physical RAM
-Supports all video cards shipped by Apple on Mac OS X-compatible systems. Quartz Extreme functionality is supported by the following video cards: NVIDIA GeForce2 MX, GeForce3, GeForce4 MX, or GeForce4 Ti; Any AGP-based ATI RADEON card. A minimum of 16MB VRAM is required.
-QuickTime Pro functionality requires a QuickTime 6 Pro key. The QuickTime 5 Pro key will not work after this software is installed.
-DVD Player requires a DVD-ROM equipped Macintosh with built-in FireWire.

Panther System Requirements
Additional Panther System Requirements
Tiger System Requirements

Additionally, "Tiger ships on a DVD, but if your Mac doesn’t have a built-in DVD-ROM player, you’ll need CD media. When you buy Mac OS X Tiger, you qualify to purchase Tiger CDs for only $9.95."
Download the Media Exchange Program Order From Here.
Orders must be mailed by March 19, 2007.

AppleRescue, also sells a Tiger installation set on CD

Shop Carefully, Examine All Documentation, And Good Luck!

ali b

Feb 19, 2007 9:50 AM in response to uniquelucus

uniquelucus:

As you have already learnt from donny and ali, you need Full Retail Version of Mac OS X to install on your Blue and White. Your computer will support the latest version of Mac OS X, meaning Tiger. ali has linked the minimum system requirements. He has also linked applerescue for Tiger CDs. Indeed, applerescue offers universal versions of all Mac Operation Systems, guaranteed to install. They are very responsive and reputable, and their prices are about the best you will get on the web.

I suggest you get a new set of installers for your computer. If you run into difficulty installing with them please do not hesitate to post back. You can also contact Apple Customer Service, and they will, for a small fee, supply you with the original software for your computer, if you provide the computer Serial #. However, since your computer originally shipped with OS 8.5.1, you will still have to purchase OS X.

Good luck.

cornelius

Message was edited by: cornelius

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OS X on G3 tower..

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