IMac G5 10.3 Upgrade to 10.5 How to erase the hard drive with no 10.3 disc

Working on my brother's computer. iMac G5 (no iSight) was running 10.3.11. He tried to do an upgrade to 10.4 along with a RAM upgrade. When he totally hosed it up, he turned it over to me and now wants to upgrade to 10.5. I obtained a retail version of 10.5 and was able to install it but I can't configure it because the old 10.3 Sys Admin is still in there somewhere. Brother has lost password and lost 10.3 start up disc. Can I just wipe the entire hard drive (most info is corrupted anyway) and start over clean with 10.5? If so, how do I accomplish that without the old install disc? Thanks for any help! I'm fairly desperate and pretty sick of tangling with this problem.

Richard, thank you so much for your advice. I will try that first thing tomorrow morning when I'm "fresh". I think the hard drive is fine. I already ran the verify and repair routine. My brother thought he could do all of this himself. I told him to install his upgrade first, then his hardware (RAM stick). Well, he installed the RAM first. Then assumed that something was wrong with the Software when it wouldn't load. Very long story short, one of the 1GB RAM chips was bad. As soon as I took it out, everything was fine. But he did something Very Bad while trying to do the upgrade and I just can't recreate what he did, not to mention how many other people were involved before he called me (and I'm far from an expert!). The Genius Bar at my local Apple store recommended erasing and starting over with the 10.5, but then everything I read on line said I had to have the 10.3 install disc. I bought a MAC when I retired from corporate America so I wouldn't have to do this type of thing any more. My MAC never gives me one bit of trouble. But I speak to it kindly every day and coo in its ears! I'll let you know how it works out! Thanks again. --Pam.

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If I upgraded my MacBook Pro from Snow Leopard to Lion via the web and now wish to erase the hard drive and restore it to factory settings to sell. How do I accomplish this?

I upgraded the operating system on my MacBook Pro from Snow Leopard to Lion via the web. Now I need to erase the hard drive and restore it to factory settings, so that I can pass it on. How do I accomplish this? When I insert the Mac OS X install disk, the only option is to erase the free space. Any insight would be appreciated.
Thank you

You need to boot off the original Snow Leopard DVD's that came with the system.
Once you are running off of the DVD you will be able to do a clean install of SL
To boot off the DVD with the system up running Lion insert the DVD. Open Sytem Preferences->Startup Disk and select the DVD then restart the machine.
Message was edited by: Frank Caggiano

Following having to erase the hard drive, I am attempting to re-install CS5 upgrade........

Following having to erase the hard drive, I am attempting to re-install CS5 from previously registered CDs as an upgrade to CS2. Although at the time of purchase, CS2 was acceptable, and the serial numbers of the NEW software remain registered on my 'account', the serial number of the original CS2 is now rejected as UN-acceptable, the oldest version now acceptable seeming to be CS3
What do I do????

can you select cs2 as an upgradeable option in the dropdown box after entering your cs5 serial number?
if yes, use this serial number, Error: Activation Server Unavailable | CS2, Acrobat 7, Audition 3
if not, contact adobe support by clicking here and, when available, click 'still need help', https://helpx.adobe.com/contact.html

So lately I decided I was tired of Tiger, and decided I would upgrade to Leopard. Well I made the mistake of erasing the hard drive before I made sure it would work. Well now like the installer was before it failed. And now when I boot it just won't work

So lately I decided I was tired of Tiger, and decided I would upgrade to Leopard. Well I made the mistake of erasing the hard drive before I made sure it would work. Well now like the installer was before it failed. And now when I boot I get the normal finder/question mark flashing folder. I also found a power Mac g4 that needs a new operating system. It's running 9.2. It's going to my grandma as a gift. I really need help.

I think you'll need to find a Retail 10.5 Disc.
Leopard requirements/10.5.x...
    * Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor
minimum system requirements
    * 512MB of memory (I say 1.5GB for PPC at least, 2-3GB minimum for IntelMacs)
    * DVD drive for installation
    * 9GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)
Classic/OS9 Apps no longer supported.
Trouble is Apple no longer sells it, check eBay & such for the Retail version, not the Gray Discs...
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mac+os+x+leopard+retail+10.5
There are workarounds if the 867MHz CPU is the only hangup...
http://sourceforge.net/projects/leopardassist/
http://lowendmac.com/osx/leopard/unsupported.html
List of Applications Not Compatible with Leopard...
http://guides.macrumors.com/List:Applications_Not_Compatible_with_Leopard

How can I remove the hard drive from an iMac g4 before recycling it?

How can I remove the hard drive from an iMac g4 before recycling it?

There are take-apart guides online. For example
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/imac_g4/imacg4_takeapart.html
However, you can also consider securely erasing the hard drive instead. You can do this using a Mac OS X installation disc with a version that your iMac G4 can boot from the optical drive. If this is a viable option, please post back (include Mac OS X version on installation disc).

Using the Hard Drive from my old iMac

I have just purchased a new 2.8 Intel core 2 duo iMac and was wondering if I could somehow use the hard drive from my old iMac.
What I have done is buy a case for the hard drive from my old iMac thus making it an external. The question that I have is that since it [the old hard drive] is running OS 10.4 will my new Intel iMac even recognize it.
I would like to somehow switch ALL my vast iTunes library from the old hard drive to my new Intel iMac without have to resort to making as many as 15 data disk. If such a thing is possible how do I go about doing so?
Another thing that I would like to do once my iTunes library is on my new Intel iMac is use the old hard drive [since it is 500GBs] as the platform for all my games and my publishing interest. Doing so would allow me to free up space that I could more readily use for other interest on the 350GB hard drive that my new iMac came with.
HOW do I go about wiping the old hard drive clean so that I can use it thus?
Thank you all for any and all help and insight that you might give me.

You might also consider connecting the two computers into a network, and then transferring the files you need, or even keep both computers online and use network sharing to access files from both computers.
In reference to your question, if you extract the hard drive from your old Mac and put it in an external case, your new Mac will read it no prob. (10.4 is compatible with 10.5). The hard drive can be formatted (wiped clean) using Disk Utility application (click Application, Utilities).
In terms of importing files from old to the new Mac, you might consider using using the automated OS X feature to transfer user files from another Mac.

Hi, I bought the macbook pro 15 3 months ago. I wanna upgrade the hard drive to 128G ssd drive. How much I should paid?

Hi, I bought the macbook pro 15 3 months ago. I wanna upgrade the hard drive to 128G ssd drive. How much I should paid?

Qingfeng wrote:
Hi, I bought the macbook pro 15 3 months ago. I wanna upgrade the hard drive to 128G ssd drive. How much I should paid?
Well you won't have very much storage capacity with a SSD that small, also SSD has limited writes, so it wouldn't be good for on-loading and off-loading a lot of files.
SSD isn't being securely erased due to steps to prevent their premature wear, so despite what you do in Disk Utility Secure Erase, your confidential data can still be recovered if you pass the machine on to someone else for instance.
Other than those reasons, small SSD's can be extremely fast, loading your programs and OS much faster. But the real benefit in high speed storage is transfering large amounts of files on/off the computer to ANOTHER fast device. This comes in handy for video and large music collections and so forth.
Since the SSD because of it's limited writes doesn't fit the bill as a large file transfer medium.
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Prices of SSD are varied, Apple won't replace it for you
This is currently the fastest SSD availalbe
http://www.harddrivebenchmark.net/hdd.php?hdd=OCZ-VERTEX3+MI

I have a rather old iMac 20" (mid 2007) and I want to upgrade the Hard drive. How do I change it? How do I transfer all my applications? May I just copy the old hd into the new one? Thanks.

I have a rather old iMac 20" (mid 2007) and I want to upgrade the Hard drive. How do I change it? How do I transfer all my applications? May I just copy the old hd into the new one? Thanks.

There are many online tutorials on how to change out the HD on a mid 2007 iMac. One of the originals is from 2007 and is Upgrade your iMac 20" or iMac 24" aluminum (mid 2007) to 1TB Hard Drive and 4 GB RAM - DIY Guide. As far as migrating your system Apple helps out with that in Setup Assistant which automatically starts when you turn on a new Mac for the first time. After you have installed the new HD you will have to format the new HD to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and then you will have to install OS X. The first time you turn it on Setup Assistant will start. Follow the directions and you will be fine. In order to restore your information you will need to backup what is on the current internal HD first. I'd recommend using Time Machine (Assuming you are using Leopard or later) AND also creating a bootable clone using either SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner.
Please complete your profile so at the very least we know what version of OS X your machine has installed.

HT6030 I have 2011 iMac it came with os x 10.6.6 i just upgraded the hard drive and now i cannot install OS X 10.6.6 every time i start installing after selecting the language it come up with error " OS X can't be installed on this mac " please help

I have 2011 iMac it came with os x 10.6.6 i just upgraded the hard drive and now i cannot install OS X 10.6.6 every time i start installing after selecting the language it come up with error " OS X can't be installed on this mac " please help

Be sure to start your iMac using its original grey System Install DVD: Insert that disc and start your Mac while holding the d key. At the Mac OS X Utilities screen select Disk Utility and format the hard disk. Select "Mac OS X Extended (Journaled)".
Then, install OS X.

I have os x version on an imac but want to upgrade to mountian lion how would oi do this?

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this is in my about this mac section (if this helps)
Hardware Overview:
Model Name:          iMac
Model Identifier:          iMac7,1
Processor Name:          Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed:          2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors:          1
Total Number Of Cores:          2
L2 Cache:          4 MB
Memory:          2 GB
Bus Speed:          800 MHz
Boot ROM Version:          IM71.007A.B03
SMC Version (system):          1.21f4
cheers Nino

Hi nino8881
1) It has to be an iMac Mid 2007 or newer. If this is the case ...
2) Make sure you have Lion or the latest version of Snow Leopard. (You can't upgrade from 10.5.8 to Mountain Lion.)
3) If step 1 & 2 are checked, you can download OS X Mountain Lion from the Mac App Store and install it.

Just upgraded my iMac to Yosemite. It is now crawling. I'm planning to reformat the hard drive and installing fresh Yosemite and reloading the hard drive. Do I deactivate my CS 6 Suite and Lightroom and then reinstall. Is anyone else experiencing a sl

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yes, deactivate before uninstalling.
to reinstall, you only need your serial numbers and the installation files.
the installation files:
Downloads available:
Suites and Programs: CC 2014 | CC | CS6 | CS5.5 | CS5 | CS4 | CS3
Acrobat: XI, X | 9,8 | 9 standard
Premiere Elements: 13 | 12 | 11, 10 | 9, 8, 7 win | 8 mac | 7 mac
Photoshop Elements: 13 |12 | 11, 10 | 9,8,7 win | 8 mac | 7 mac
Lightroom: 5.7| 5 | 4 | 3
Captivate: 8 | 7 | 6 | 5
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Download and installation help for Adobe links
Download and installation help for Prodesigntools links are listed on most linked pages. They are critical; especially steps 1, 2 and 3. If you click a link that does not have those steps listed, open a second window using the Lightroom 3 link to see those 'Important Instructions'.

Has Apple ever fixed the fan issue that results from upgrading the hard drives on 2009-2010 iMacs?

Has Apple ever fixed the fan issue that results from upgrading the hard drives on 2009-2010 iMacs?
My CPU fan defaults to 3000RPM. I can rev the fan higher with 3rd party Fan controllers, but no lower than 3K.

OR you can short out the original temp sensor, to make the fans rev at quieter speeds.
You can also install an optical temp sensor in place of the old one, it will still read temps and adjust the fans accordingly, just not as good as an internal sensor.
Use something like this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-922-9229-Cable-Temp-Sensor-Optical-iMac-27-inch-Late -2009-2010-/111106349896
Another fan speed control app you may be interested in: http://exirion.net/ssdfanctrl/
Good Luck!

How do I upgrade the hard drive on an iMac G5 (iSight) 2.1 GHz?

The instructions for Do it Yourself hard drive replacement from Apple don't seem to apply to this computer, but to the previous two models. I have read elsewhere that my iMac is not user parts-replacement friendly. I tried to remove the back side of the case per the instructions given by Apple for the previous two models, but no go. The entire unit separates from the front bezel. Way beyond my capabilities or courage. Do I need to have Apple replace the hard drive?

Hi Dani
Select the correct DYI for your model from iMac Repair iFixit.
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Browse/iMac
Dennis

How do I authorise my Imac for Itunes after replacing the hard drive?

Dear All,
Apologies, but I am new to forums and understand that the issue of "Authorisation" of Itunes purchases and rentals has been done to death! However, I have tried everything and have exhausted normal research on the Net, there doesnt seem to be standard sollution to my problem. I have replaced the Hard Drive in my Imac 2008 with an SSD which makes the Imac very fast and effcient and completely clean of the usual trash in an old computer. So before renting my first movie, I did the following:..................................
Formatted the hard drive and downloaded and upgraded to OSX to 10.5.8 (the latest I can go on this Imac (I think) Intel 3.06Ghz 2 core and 4GB SSDRAM)
Upgraded Itunes to the latest available
Upgraded Quicktime to the latest available.
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So I did the usual apple support search and tried the following:..................................
I checked that my apple User ID and password where up to date and that I was purchasing on the right ID
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Double & triple check that you installed the hard drive correctly.

I want to upgrade the hard drive in my MacBook Pro

I bought one of the first MacBook Pros that only came with a 100gb drive. I want to buy at least a 250gb drive for it. The problem is that I would like to maintain what I already have on the existing drive. I am getting Leopard on Monday so I'm not sure if using Time Machine will help. I guess what I am trying to say is that I like my computer just like it is as far as what I have installed and configured on it. Can anyone offer suggestions to how I can upgrade the drive and maintain all of my stuff. I have an externl drive much larger than 100gb to use should I need to back some stuff up. Any hel would be greatly appreciated.

The hard drive is not a user upgradeable part. This means that technically speaking if something goes wrong with your installation, you may void your warranty/AppleCare. Some authorized service centers may be able to maintain your warranty while doing such an installation, but that really varies by service center. I know when I install a new hard drive in my iMac, I had to put back in the original hard drive before before Apple would be willing to diagnose the logicboard of my iMac. So consider that before installing a new hard drive. You can put the SATA 2.5" drive inside a Firewire enclosure which supports it to maintain your hard drive contents while you put in the new drive. http://www.ifixit.com/ and http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/ are the most common places to find instructions to do such installations yourself. Mind you, because as an external drive, it is more liable to fall, and break, backing it up before you take it out is highly recommended as my FAQ* explains:
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
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http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=235
- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

IMac G5 10.3 Upgrade to 10.5 How to erase the hard drive with no 10.3 disc

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