10.4 Update files not recognised

Question

Using 10.4 on a second hand Powermac g4 from ebay, so no installation discs.
Successfully downloaded standalone updates 10.4.1....10.4.9 etc but first one (MacOSXUpdate10.4.1.dmg) not recognised so won't install. others recognised but won't work until first one installed.
Same with standalone combo update (MacOSXUpdCombo10.4.10) it isn't recognised. Using AOL dial up so it's taken seven attempts (overnight) to get a continuous connection for the complete Combo download. (Same with Software Updates Combo from Apple menu on desktop)
How do I get the right file which will be recognised ? or should I buy a full retail version of Tiger from ebay ? I'm concerned about all the probs people are having with updates as I am miles away from Apple Store for repairs and am a newbie. Many thanks for any replies.

Answer 1

Welcome To  Discussions frenchbingo!
Which version of OS X is currently installed on the Power Mac G4?
If it is not Tiger 10.4.x, then as sig posted, you will have to purchase a set of install discs.
Exactly which model PowerMac G4 is it?
What size is the Hard Drive, and how much space is available?
If it is this model Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics), it had OS 8.6 or OS 9.0 installed, when manufactured in 1999.
Mac OS X Versions 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, and 10.5, are complete system upgrades that must be purchased.
Once an OS has been installed, the point upgrades, such as 10.1.x to 10.1.5 (Final) 10.2.x to 10.2.8 (Final), 10.3.x to 10.3.9 (Final), and 10.4.x to 10.4.10 (Pending), can be downloaded for free.
Leopard 10.5.x, can be purchased at The Apple Store (U.S.).
Leopard System Requirements
Jaguar 10.2.x, Panther 10.3.x, and Tiger 10.4.x, are no longer available directly from the Apple Online Store, as Leopard 10.5.x, will be the most up to date OS.
But, 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 be purchased, sometimes less expensively, at some online Apple retailers, Amazon, eBay, FastMac, HardCore Mac, 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 exactly like the images in the above links, and not say Upgrade, CPU Drop-in DVD, or "This software is part of a hardware bundle purchase - not to be sold seperately." on them.
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?
Caveat Emptor!
If any are currently available, examine these items very carefully, and if in doubt, ask questions of the seller before purchase!
Jaguar On eBay
Panther On eBay
Tiger On eBay
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.
This Power Mac G4 Firmware Update 4.2.8 appears to be the one you would need to install.
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 Tiger System Requirements, you could also consider installing that, and then use the PPC 10.4.10 Combo Update, to upgrade to the current version.
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.
Review these Apple documents for Panther System Requirements
And Additional Panther System Requirements.
Additionally, Tiger 10.4.x ships on a DVD, so if your Mac doesn’t have a built-in DVD-ROM player, you will have to use an alternative method of installation.
Info here Installing Tiger Without A DVD Drive.
And here Installing Tiger Using Firewire Target Disk Mode.
The Tiger Media Exchange Program, referred to in that article, is no longer available.
Shop Carefully, Examine All Documentation, And I Wish You Success!
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