Q: 10.2.2 Emac Gray Discs

10.2 is so cranky about installing on anything that nobody knows for sure.

At one point, even Other World Computer (MacSales) was selling gray disks as valid installon_anyMac disks. I don't think the Installer checks for computer type until after 10.3. But if some component is missing, you may need to go back and buy a set of "full retail" disks later.

As always, the license agreement says you agree to install on only one computer, unless you are the holder of a genuine Family-pack license for up to 5 computers in the same household.

10.2 Install seems to get waylaid by several issues:

If the computer goes to sleep during the install or during an update, or takes too long to install, it fails. This may be related to the length of the "window" your authentication provides, or may be related to determining which disk to update.
If you try to install too many updates at once, it fails -- so do the Combo update by itself, and run Disk Utility before proceeding with another few updates at a time.

You can also download many updates and launch them manually all at once, then answer all the questions in a row. The second will not start its actual install until the first has finished, and the optimize is held off until all are complete.

You asked what would be better. I think 10.3 Panther is better. But it probably needs XPostFacto to install on that Mac. That said, I found it easier to install OS 9 and XPostFacto and 10.3, than to install 10.2.

Kirk,

Whatever version OSX you decide to install, you may have a problem booting to the OSX CD or installing from the CD if you have more than 256MB of installed RAM. The usual workaround on the Wallstreet is get the RAM at or below 256MB, install the OS, then replace the RAM. Once you have OSX on the HD and have successfully restarted to the HD, there are no more problems with memory.

Kirk,

I have heard of users installing/running Jaguar with just 64MB but it is as slow as molasses, plus your mileage may vary; it may decide not to install with 96MB but it won't hurt anything to try.

You are correct that if you do not have the correct 256MB memory module, only half (128MB) of the memory will be recognized. If you buy the correct 256MB modules for the early iMac, Wallstreet, and Lombard that are designed to run with their Grackle memory controller, all memory will be recognized. Modules 128MB and smaller are not affected by this limitation and can be more "generic", if you will.

If you have not bought memory yet, buy the correct modules. Here is one example:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iBooks-PowerBooks/G3-Lombard/

I would not put a 512MB module in your Wallstreet although if it meets all the minimum specs it should not hurt anything. This Grackle memory controller can actually read up to 1GB of RAM (2x512) but nobody has made a 512MB module with the correct architecture. I believe there were some test modules back in 1999 or 2000, but to the best of my knowledge, none ever made it to market. Your Wallstreet supports a max of 512MB with current modules (2x256).

You will also want a low-profile module for the bottom/lower slot and the same or a standard height module for the top/upper slot.

10.2 and 10.3 (with XPostFacto) can run fine in 256 MB on a WallStreet.