Can I install OSX Tiger server version on my G4 Powerbook?

Question

Hi everyone...
I cannot find the disk(s) for my Powerbook G4 (1.67GHz PPC)... so I've resorted to purchasing them. I found (on ebay) a set of disks being described as such: "Apple Mac OS X Server 10.4 Tiger M9769Z/A (PPC)"
My obvious question is... will this work on my PB G4?
I'm attempting to clear out the laptop and give it away but would like to re-install the OS for the new owner (a neighbor's teen getting started in music with Garageband)...
Any quick advice?  Thx...

Answer 1

You may be able to call AppleCare directly to ask an OS X specialist about the availability of Replacement DVD system discs for Tiger 10.4, and Leopard 10.5, with white labels, for supported PowerPC macs; these were available and cost about $20. each DVD. These may not be available still, and knowledge of their exact availability may also be limited; if not plain unavailable (again.) They'd need the PB's serial number & method of payment, if they have the discs available I'd get both 10.4 & 10.5. And look online for iLife '05 or other.
If an OS X Tiger Server 10.4.x is older than a retail version which may have shipped with a computer when new, it may not work in that computer. You could try the installer, to see if it would, but it could be rejected, or fail part way into the process. So, in those instances, a retail OS X install DVD of later version is the path to installation, if you can't get the grey original install-restore disc set the computer shipped with. They have part numbers.
The server edition is a bit different than retail Tiger 10.4; you can see some versions of Server 10.4 Tiger as listed in the downloadable freely available MacTracker.ca database that works offline...
{from  http://mactracker.ca downloaded database OS X Server 10.4 Tiger}
Note the above list ALSO shows PowerPC and Universal for Intel-based Mac.
+System discs that shipped with a Mac, be it PPC or Intel, do not interchange.
The company welovemacs seems to have a similar Server version Tiger 10.4 with like product number and it does not say it can't work on specific PowerPC Macs (there is an Intel version, won't work in PPC) so for comparison here is there link: http://www.welovemacs.com/m9769za.html
Server versions of OS X can run in machines the standard one can, with a few exceptions in hardware; or in situations where the OS X version is older than the computer, so compatibility with hardware is lacking. In some cases, the installer may work OK, but would need additional Software Update to fully work, so the Combo update 10.4.11 may help.
There are some applications that may be missing from a retail or server edition of Tiger (or Leopard, etc) that would have been included in the computer's original as-shipped system and backup restore/install DVDs. The iLife applications would be on a separate retail disc set, a later iLife version than shipped with Tiger in a computer may be used in Tiger; to a limit. There (or was) a Support article on vintage iLife versions and OS X system they were supported in. Some bookmarks fail and links have changed, content moved or removed.
Several PowerBook 1.67GHz models exist, some shipped with Tiger 10.4.2 variants on their own DVDs so the Tiger Server would likely need to be later than 10.4.3 to work. But it would be worth a try, if you have it. Could be it may install (or not) but if it does, it may run in SafeBoot, and accept update to 10.4.11 Combo. Or you may be looking for a different installation DVD.
There may be a way around this, if you have a second Mac that can use the Tiger Server, and use it to install into the PowerBook, in Target Disk Mode, and see if it can accept the Combo update, then boot up. Not sure if this idea would even work. Been awhile and my target disk and firewire experiences are rusty!
Not sure if this helps...
Good luck