Can't start from OS 9 to update firmware, so can't install Tiger

I have an iMac DV, which has been upgraded several times. Recently, I purchased 128mb of RAM as well as OS 10.4, Tiger. Tonight I successfully installed the RAM, and I'm attempting to upgrade to Tiger.
When I put in the installation CD, it asks me to update my firmware before installing. I figured out what that means, and downloaded the appropriate firmware. I then discovered that I had to start up in 9 to update that. Fine, no problem, I set my computer's start disk to OS 9.
Well, I'm getting an error message that is telling me that "this model" cannot start in 9. I know that can't be true, because it originally came with 9, and I can use the Classic environment.
What is going on here? Is this a RAM issue? I've never installed RAM before, so I'm new to this. Do I need to remove the RAM, start up in 9, upgrade firmware, then put the RAM back in to install Tiger? Would that work?? Help!!

Hello, Heidi.
I am afraid I am not helping much, just trying to get a better understanding of the current status of the machine.
1.
“System Folder” is your installation of OS 9. “System” is your installation of OS X.
Your “System Folder” is blessed because it shows the gold 9. In addition, two really important parts of OS 9 are where they should be.
So, the question remains: why won’t the iMac start up in OS 9?
2.
If I don't need to update my firmware, then I really have no reason to start up in 9.
Boot ROM version 3.0f3 confirms that you must update the firmware to 4.1.9 when running from OS 9.
Two things to check:
• I set my computer's start disk to OS 9.
When in Startup Disk, what folders are displayed? Any chance you have two OS 9 icons showing? Does an OS 9 System Folder show a gold 9?
• Repair Disk.
I don’t know how this specifically works in Jaguar, so launch Disk Utility and search using the Help menu.
Basically, you will need to start up from the OS X 10.2.x install disc, choose Disk Utility under one of the menus at the top of the screen, select the First Aid tab, and select the volume you want to repair.
Remember: You want to run Disk Utility, not install an operating system.
If errors are reported, run Repair Disk 3 or 4 more times to see if they are fixed. “Appears okay” is the most positive report you can receive.
If Disk Utility reports errors and cannot fix them, write down the message word for word and post it here.
An important question: Is everything you can’t afford to lose from your hard drive backed up and tested to ensure that it is in good shape and accessible?
Sincerely,
No Alibi.
 Backup what you can't afford to lose. Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Similar Messages

Can you install Tiger onto a drive with data?

Hello,
I would like to ask if you can install Tiger onto a hard drive that already has data files on it. I have a 250 GIG hard drive and it already has 10 GIGs of data on it. Can I install Tiger on this drive or might it corrupt my files?
Its a long story but here is a quick summary of why I am attempting to do this:
I have a 350 MHz Blue and white G3 (rev 1) with two hard drives: the original 12 GIG ATA drive and a 250 GIG SATA drive (internal) connected with a 1S2 Seritek SATA controller.
My 250 GIG drive has two partitions but only one is available to Tiger. You see, by accident I originally formatted my 250 GIG drive with an extremely small partion (32 Megs). I meant to type "30 GIGs" and by accident I typed "30 Megs". Oops That was supposed to be my OSX 10.4 volume. Its too late now - its too small. So I only have two choices for a place for TIger: my 12 GIG drive or the other partition of my 250 GIG drive. I am reluctant to choose my 12 GIG drive because it already has an older OS on it (OS 8.6).
I was concerned about installing TIger on the data partition of the 250 GIG drive because that is where all my valuable data files are - 10 Gigs of data. I don't want to risk scrambling this data in any way.
Is it safe to install Tiger onto this partition with my data files? Or is the possibility it might do something to my data.
Its only a temporary install so that I could burn my 10 GIGs of data files to DVD for backup and then I will start all over again and erase the entire hard drive and reinstall from scratch onto the 250 GIG drive once my data files are safely backed up. (I will not partition the 250 GIG drive i nthe final install - it will be one big partition.)
One other question:
When you format a disk in Tiger are there options to "low level format" or "zero all data" or will just a straight "erase" do the job sufficiently? I bought my 250 GIG Hitachi SATA drive new and so I am not sure if it worth the time to re-erase it with "zero all data" (if that is an option in the Tiger Disk Utility). What is the best formatting option to prepare this drive in the most beneficial for Tiger?
Thanks for any suggestions.

Thanks scb and Jeff,
Jeff, you have me thinking now. I think I will be safe and try another idea. I have a 4 GIG internal SCSI drive I could use to backup my data in 4 GIG sections at a time via my Adaptec 2430 SCSI card. I could then move this hard drive over to my other G3 onto its 40 GIG hard drive. This would be done three times to take off all my data and essentially provide a backup before I install Tiger. Good idea. You are right. It is better to play it safe.
By the way 8.6 can handle HFS+. And yes, I should eventually buy an external drive solution - probably an enclosure. I saw one called "coolmax" [1]. It could hold a SATA drive and it had USB, firewire and also an external SATA port.
And also Jef thanks for the info about formatting drives. I am glad to hear it is not important to zero all data if you don't have to. I am not concerned about havig anything to hide and so yes, I will just click "format" - that should be fine. Zero all data takes such a long time and I would rather avoid using it if I don't need this feature. Thanks for the advice.
Thanks for the new safer direction.
[1] Coolmax (CD-311-SATA Combo)
Coolmax Aluminum USB 2.0 External Case/Enclosure for 3.5" SATA/IDE Hard Drives, USB2.0, IEEE1394a, Serial ATA triple interface input CD-311-SATA Combo
http://www.iocombo.com/product/showproduct.php?productid=0EGD&PHPSESSID=3c41735b f27252cf17a17350cb603e0e
$69.95
http://store.yahoo.com/directron/35enclosure.html
$53.99 at directron

Can I install Tiger in a Dual 500 MHz PowerPC G4?

Can I install Tiger in a Dual 500 MHz PowerPC G4, or is it better to stick with 10.3.9? I'm having some problems so I was going to wipe he hard drive and re-build everything from scratch o I was wondering if migrating to OS X 10.4.9 is worthwhile or even compatible with this PCU. Thanks.

Yes you can run 10.4 on your dual 500, I have a dual 450 (I overclocked it to 550...) and it runs pretty fast. You need a minimum 192 MB of RAM to install it and a minimum 128 MB of RAM to run it. I would suggest having at least 512 MB of RAM when running 10.4.
What problems are you experiencing? If it's just lagging and seeming slow it may just be worthwhile to clean some temp files and clean up your disk. IMHO, 10.4 is a much better system than 10.3, and runs much smoother. I can guarantee you that your system will run much smoother if you wipe the disk clean and put a fresh install of 10.4 on there, and also get a decent amount of RAM in there. After I upgraded my RAM to 1.5 GB, I noticed a substantial difference in speed, and got a lot less spinning color wheels. But one thing that you need to always keep in mind is to KEEP YOUR DISK CLEAN!!! Clean the temp files often and limit your internet downloading. If you keep your computer on all of the time, restart it every once in a while. There's a lot of little things you can do to increase speed in OS 10.4. Use spotlight and recent applications. Fill up your dock. Don't clutter the desktop, etc. There's plenty of articles on the net to help increase speed without adding anything else to your system, just navigating through the OS differently.

Can I install Tiger on Mac OS X 10.6.2 Snow Leopard?

I am using Mac mini and my OS version MAC OS X 10.6.2 Snow leopard and it was as default with my Mac mini,
Can I install Tiger 10.4 on my current Mac mini in different location as dual boot?

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
No Mac can install an older Mac operating system than shipped with it.
The only minor exception is Macs which shipped with Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X, but those ones only could run the Mac OS 9 that came with it and newer one, and Mac OS X that came with it and newer one up to the limitations of the hardware.
Also no Mac can install an operating system disc from a different Mac that is different either in model or vintage.
If you are missing compatibility with your new Mac Mini for a specific application, please check
C!Net Download
http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/
http://www.macintouch.com/specialreports/snowleopard/slcompat.html
for alternative titles, or feel free to ask if someone here knows of one.
Message was edited by: a brody

Can I install Tiger in my NEW 21.5" iMac ?

Can I install Tiger on my NEW 21.5" iMac ?
Machine bought new - Nov. '09.
While I do like some of the features in Snow Leopard... almost all my existing software plus the Sims 2
games will apparently NOT run (or run well).

Rosetta does exactly that. It was created to run MacOS X programs that only ran on PPC macs to run on intel processors. Rosetta would translate PPC machine instructions into intel instrucions on-the fly.
Classic Mode was a whole separate operating system. Rosetta merely translates PPC to intel so it is generally invisible to the user.
I have used Quicken '05, iMovie HD, AppleWorks and Microsoft Office under Rosetta with no issues. Photoshop 7 was the only program I have that choked and would not run. I would guess that the Sims program would be most likely to not run. They might have an intel update available, I know that Zoo tycoon 2 had a patch to allow for intel processers, The Sims might, too.
Some programs have "fat binaries" with both versions. If you are curious, you can see whether you are running intel or PPC-translated by using the activity monitor.
You don't need to run Rosetta separately, if it is needed it turns itself on, so the programs install normally. In fact, some programs needed Rosetta just to run the installer, the actual software ran on the intels.
I think I have the same machine as you, I just bought my new 21.5" iMac last month. I love it by they way, a DVD that would have taken all night to burn was done in a little over an hour!

How can I install Tiger 10.4.11 over Panther 10.3.9

How can I install Tiger 10.4.11 over Panther 10.3.9 ? I tried using a 10.4.2 install disc that I was going to update to 10.4.11, but got message that this would not work on this computer.
Thanks
Bob

Upgrade 10.3 to 10.4 Drop-in Install...
2Z691-5341-A
You must already have Mac OS X 10.3.x Panther installed on your Mac to use this 10.4 Tiger upgrade. Your Mac must also meet the system requirements (detailed below) for Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger.
Compatibility
eMac (2005), iBook G4 (Late 2004), iBook G4 (Mid 2005), iMac G5 17-inch (ALS), iMac G5 20-inch (ALS), iMac G5 (17-inch iSight), iMac G5 (20-inch iSight), iMac (Early 2006 17-inch), iMac (Early 2006 20-inch), Mac mini, Mac mini (Late 2005), Mac mini (Early 2006), MacBook Pro, Power Mac G5 (Early 2005), Power Mac G5 (Late 2005), PowerBook G4 (15-inch Double-Layer SD), PowerBook G4 (17-inch Double-Layer SD)
http://www.welovemacs.com/m9639za.html

Can you install tiger on a power mac g4 with out a DVD drive if so how, I do have have a 2011 iMac can I use that in target disk mode with a FireWire cable any help would be appreciated

Can you install tiger on a power mac g4 with out a DVD drive if so how, I do have have a 2011 iMac can I use that in target disk mode with a FireWire cable any help would be appreciated

Hello,
You need to put the Tiger Install Disc in the 2011 iMac, boot the 2011 uMac into Target mode...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
Boot the G4 holding the Option or alt key, hopefully the Install Disc in the 2011 iMac will show as a boot choice.
We just want to use the 2011 iMac as a big expensive FW Optical drive, it cannot be installed osing the 2011 iMac itself.

Can I install Tiger on external drive with OS9 on internal?

I bought and plan to install OS X 10.4.3, but will continue to use OS 9.2.2 about 95% of the time because I can't afford to update all 3rd-party software at this time, so I want to start up in 9.2.2 usually. Can I install 10.4.3 on a partition of my external HD with firewire and leave 9.2.2 on my internal HD, then pick a start-up OS by a key combination or such? How should I do it, and what problems might I encounter? To partition my external HD should I use OS 9.2.2, the original 9.0 CD, or the new 10.4.3 DVD?
I have a Power Mac G4 (AGB Graphics) with an internal 10 GB HD and an almost-empty external 120 GB firewire HD (Iomega). Thanks.

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Yes you can do that, though I'm not too sure that Iomega's firmware is up to date to do it. Be sure that any data you have on the Iomega is backed up elsewhere before attempting it. Some Firewire drives without up to date firmware from the manufacturer may become invisible and unusable after a software update on Mac OS X 10.3 or later. Also an AGP PowerMac needs its firmware updated while booted from Mac OS 9 before installing Mac OS X 10.2 or later:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
That said, if after testing you find it does work, you can switch booting between both drives using the Option key booting as described in the Startup Manager article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106178
Leave OS 9.2.2 on your internal, and 10.4 on your external. That will be a lot easier than partitioning. Some information I wrote for others which can help you on your migration to Mac OS X is provided in this link below:
http://www.macmaps.com/macosxnative.html
If you really want to partition, be aware that only third party software is available to partition without erasing the entire drive, and you'll want to make sure additional partitions that will boot Mac OS 9 have Mac OS 9 drivers installed as my link above states. Whatever you do, be sure you have at least two copies of your data at all times:
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
Disclaimer: Reference to links I make to my Macmaps.com website are a for your information only type reference. I do not get any profit from this page, and it is open to the public.

I don't have a dual-layer drive, can I install Tiger or Leopard?

Disclaimer: Apple does not necessarily endorse any suggestions, solutions, or third-party software products that may be mentioned in the topic below. Apple encourages you to first seek a solution at Apple Support. The following links are provided as is, with no guarantee of the effectiveness or reliability of the information. Apple does not guarantee that these links will be maintained or functional at any given time. Use the information below at your own discretion.
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard come on what appear to be larger than 4.7 GB discs. This does not mean you need a dual layer drive to install them. Some Macs capable of installing Tiger or Leopard came with a built-in CD-RW, or CD-ROM drive. For those a compatible Firewire DVD drive for booting Mac OS X can work instead of replacing the internal drive. Tiger also came in a limited edition Media Exchange Program CD installer package, which you may be able to find in the open market. The limitation for each is dependant on other hardware:
1. If your Mac shipped new with no Firewire, you may be able to install Tiger a special third party addon software known as XPostFacto.
2. If your Mac shipped new with less than 867 Mhz built-in processor (including dual processor 800 MHz or less), you may be able to install Leopard with a special third party addon software known as Leopard Assist.
3. If your Mac shipped with a processor upgrade card installed, and #2 is true, a firmware update may be available from the processor upgrade card vendor that allows Leopard's installation.
4. Tiger needs at least 256 MB of RAM.
Leopard needs at least 512 MB of RAM.
If you have a lot of dashboard widgets, you may need to increase RAM to improve performance on either operating system. The RAM needs to follow Apple's specs to ensure smooth operation. Only get RAM with a lifetime warranty.
5. Officially you need for Tiger:
"At least 3 GB of free disk space; 4 GB if you install the XCode 2 Developer Tools" from: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514
And officially for Leopard you need:
"9 GB of available disk space or more" from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3759
However, I would add to that if your hard drive doesn't have at least 15% of the drive free in addition to that, you may experience significant slowing down in the operating system function. This number has been arbitrarily discovered by many users.
6. When installing Tiger or Leopard, if your machine shipped with Panther (10.3) or earlier, be sure to get the retail Tiger or retail Leopard.
The Tiger installer is a san serif gray and white X with a spotlight on the center of the X on a black background.
The Leopard installer is a san serif black and gray X on a pink galaxy centered on a black background.
This is the 1st version of this tip. It was submitted on Dec 23, 2009 by a brody.
Do you want to provide feedback on this User Contributed Tip or contribute your own? If you have achieved Level 2 status, visit the User Tips Library Contributions forum for more information.

Disclaimer: Apple does not necessarily endorse any suggestions, solutions, or third-party software products that may be mentioned in the topic below. Apple encourages you to first seek a solution at Apple Support. The following links are provided as is, with no guarantee of the effectiveness or reliability of the information. Apple does not guarantee that these links will be maintained or functional at any given time. Use the information below at your own discretion.
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard come on what appear to be larger than 4.7 GB discs. This does not mean you need a dual layer drive to install them. Some Macs capable of installing Tiger or Leopard came with a built-in CD-RW, or CD-ROM drive. For those a compatible Firewire DVD drive for booting Mac OS X can work instead of replacing the internal drive. Tiger also came in a limited edition Media Exchange Program CD installer package, which you may be able to find in the open market. The limitation for each is dependant on other hardware:
1. If your Mac shipped new with no Firewire, you may be able to install Tiger a special third party addon software known as XPostFacto.
2. If your Mac shipped new with less than 867 Mhz built-in processor (including dual processor 800 MHz or less), you may be able to install Leopard with a special third party addon software known as Leopard Assist.
3. If your Mac shipped with a processor upgrade card installed, and #2 is true, a firmware update may be available from the processor upgrade card vendor that allows Leopard's installation.
4. Tiger needs at least 256 MB of RAM.
Leopard needs at least 512 MB of RAM.
If you have a lot of dashboard widgets, you may need to increase RAM to improve performance on either operating system. The RAM needs to follow Apple's specs to ensure smooth operation. Only get RAM with a lifetime warranty.
5. Officially you need for Tiger:
"At least 3 GB of free disk space; 4 GB if you install the XCode 2 Developer Tools" from: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514
And officially for Leopard you need:
"9 GB of available disk space or more" from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3759
However, I would add to that if your hard drive doesn't have at least 15% of the drive free in addition to that, you may experience significant slowing down in the operating system function. This number has been arbitrarily discovered by many users.
6. When installing Tiger or Leopard, if your machine shipped with Panther (10.3) or earlier, be sure to get the retail Tiger or retail Leopard.
The Tiger installer is a san serif gray and white X with a spotlight on the center of the X on a black background.
The Leopard installer is a san serif black and gray X on a pink galaxy centered on a black background.
This is the 1st version of this tip. It was submitted on Dec 23, 2009 by a brody.
Do you want to provide feedback on this User Contributed Tip or contribute your own? If you have achieved Level 2 status, visit the User Tips Library Contributions forum for more information.

Can't install Tiger on Yikes - kind of weird

I've had people trying to help me with this over at macosx.com, and so far no luck. Maybe you guys can figure this one out.
I have a Yikes G4, 512MB RAM, 40GB hardrive, DVD-ROM, right now running OS 9.2.2. I've run everything from OS 8.6 through 10.2.8 on this computer. I'm trying to install Tiger, but I'm having a problem.
When I put the Tiger disk in, I get the "resart to install" dialog box. I hit the restart button, the computer restarts, gives the normal chime, then nothing. Black screen, I can see it access the DVD drive for a few seconds, then it just sits there. The computer is on, it doesn't shut down, but it never gets to the point where the moniter comes on.
If I restart and hold the C key, same thng happens, black screen. The computer will not finish booting unless I restart and get the Tiger DVD out of the drive before the computer looks for it. Then it boots from the hard drive normally. Can't hold Option key for Startup Manager, not supported on the Yikes. Can't use Startup Disk Control panel to choose Tiger, same thing happens, black screen. Can't use Target Disk Mode, not supported on Yikes.
The DVD drive is a stock Apple DVD-ROM originally out of a Sawtooth model. The Yikes will boot from an OS 9 CD, and just for the heck of it, I tried my Jaguar grey system specific DVD from my TiBook, and it boots with that DVD no problem, too. It PLAYS the Tiger DVD no problem, just will not boot from it.
Here's what I've tried so far, not necessarily in this order:
1. Reset PMU.
2. Reset PRAM.
3. Removed Apple factory stock Adaptec 2930 SCSI card.
4. Removed 3rd party RAM, stole Apple stock 256MB stick out of Sawtooth to bring it back up to 512MB.
5. Checked for firmware updates, Yikes doesn't need one.
6. Unplugged ethernet.
7. Unplugged everything but moniter, keyboard, mouse.
8. Checked hard drive with Disk Utility from OS 9 and Jaguar disks, drive appears okay.
I tried different DVDs in different computers to make sure they do work. Yikes will boot from Jaguar DVD and OS 9 CD, so it is a bootable drive. Tiger DVD will boot (and install, family pack) from DVD both the TiBook and the Sawtooth, so my Tiger disk seems fine. It is the retail (universal) black Tiger DVD.
I can't find this specific problem in the knowledge base or searching the forums. And I seem to have stumped the folks over at macosx.com. Anybody have any ideas that I haven't tried yet?
TiBook 1Ghz, 1GB RAM Matshita UJ-845S 8x Dual Layer; Sawtooth w/1.2 GHz owc upgrade, Yikes, etc. Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Hi TMM,
The Tiger DVD is the black boxed retail universal version. It's not a grey system-specific version. (However, the Yikes will boot from a grey system-specific DVD for my TiBook. Go figure).
I knew for OS X I didn't need a firmware upgrade, but someone suggested that maybe there could be an older upgrade (this computer came with OS 8.6). I didn't find anything like that.
This Mac meets all the requirements for Tiger. All external devices and ethernet have been disconnected. Removed all third party RAMI just . I even removed the stock PCI SCSI card factory installed by Apple. Everything else is stock. No other cards, no processor upgrades. (However, I have a heavily modded Sawtooth that boots to this Tiger DVD no problem. Three hard drives, one of them running from an ATA PCI card, 5 port USB PCI card, 16x Dual Layer DVD burner, and OWC 1.3GHz processor upgrade...go figure again.)
I just ran out yesterday and got a new battery to see if that would help. Reset PMU and PRAM again after it was installed, no difference.
I'm pretty familiar with the installation instructions, but I've gone back over them just in case. There's no mention of anything like this. Like I said before, this seems to have stumped the folks over at macosx.com, too. I'm beginning to think there's some weird little quirk in this particular machine.
Thanks for trying, though!
TiBook 1Ghz, 1GB RAM Matshita UJ-845S 8x Dual Layer; Sawtooth w/1.2 GHz owc upgrade, Yikes, etc. Mac OS X (10.2.x)
TiBook 1Ghz, 1GB RAM Matshita UJ-845S 8x Dual Layer; Sawtooth w/1.2 GHz owc upgrade, Yikes, etc. Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Can I install Tiger without DVD drive?

Hello all!
I need your advice and help!
Today I finally added more RAM to my iMac and proceeded to upgrade to OSX. I bought v10.4.3 Tiger at a retail location. Nothing happens after I inserted the installation DVD. Then I realised that I probably do not have a DVD drive! (I did look at the system requirement page and saw a slot loading iMac there ...)
Is there any way I could install Tiger? All your help is much appreciated!
kris

First, have you installed the firmware update required for your model? You must boot directly into OS 9.1 or higher (but not OS X) to install the firmware update.
Secondly, your hard drive must be formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for Tiger.
If you open your Apple System Profiler it should tell you if you have a DVD drive. It was an option on your model, especially if you have the DV model.
If you don't have a DVD drive, then there are ways to install Tiger without one. One way is to exchange the DVD for a CD set from Apple. Visit the Apple OS X site to find the form needed for the exchange.
The following KB articles present alternatives for installing Tiger without a DVD:
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/6976
http://www.applelinks.com/p5/index.php/more/osx_odyssey_752_how_to_installing_tiger_using_firewire_target_diskmode/
You can also use an external Firewire DVD drive provided it is a bootable drive.

Can I install Tiger on my iMac slot loader running OS 8.6?

I'm keen to upgrade my iMac DV bondi blue slotloader running OS 8.6 to Tiger so I can take advantage of wireless networking. Do I need, say, OS 9 first? or can I just go to Tiger directly.
Also - does anyone have experience of putting a new OS on an old machine - is it actually worth it or am I asking for trouble?

Hi Macnabbs,
yes, you can install Tiger on your computer. However, you will have to upgrade to at least 9.1 (better 9.2.1: ) before that, then upgrade your firmware and install at least 256 MB RAM (better: 512 MB). Also make sure you have at least 5 GB of free hard disk space! MacOS X needs a minimum of 1.5 GB of free hard disk space at all times in order to run properly.
The short version goes like this:
0. Confirm your Mac meets the minimum hardware requirements: Built-In firewire, 256 MB RAM (512 MB recommended), 5 GB free hard disk space (System Requirements)
1. Update to 9.2.x: Mac OS 9: Available Updates
2. Upgrade your firmware: Mac OS X: Chart of Available Firmware Updates
3. Download the Mac OS X Update 10.4.5 Combo update: Mac OS X Update 10.4.5 Combo
4. Unplug all peripherals but the original Apple keyboard and mouse.
5. Install Tiger
6. Repair permissions before and after an update!
7. Apply the 10.4.5 Update
8. Repair permissions before and after an update!
9. Run software update from the Apple menu.
10. Repair permissions!
Keep the order!
If you cannot select your hard disk as a destination volume and your computer is quite old this article might help:
Mac OS X: Disk Appears Dimmed (or "Grayed Out") in the Installer
Good luck!

Can I install Tiger as a boot disk on external drive

I upgraded to Leopard 2 months ago and everything works well except a program called Avid Express Pro. Avid suggests I go back to Tiger, but I like many of the features in Leopard. I'm using a Macbook pro with an intel processor. Is it possible to install Tiger on an external drive and boot from that drive when I want to use Avid, then restart on the internal drive for normal operation? I've tried installing Tiger on an external drive I have, but the installer won't let me select the external. Any help would be appreciated.

Your Intel MacBookPro can install Tiger or Leopard to any external drive that has been formatted with a GUID partition. It can be USB or Firewire. I'm using a miniStack v3 500gb FW800 drive for my MBP. When it arrived from OWC it was APM and Leopard or Tiger would refuse to Install to it. Disk Utility fixed this by repartioning the drive and choosing the GUID option and HFS+.
The GUID partition scheme is probably the problem. Most external drives come formated for DOS (Fat32) or the APM (Apple Partition Map). The Intel macs require GUID for Installing and Updating, but work fine with the APM drives for files.
You Intel Mac can boot from an APM drive, but not install to it. You can use SuperDuper to clone a bootable copy of your OS from your internal GUID drive to an external APM drive and the machine will boot from it, it just can't be updated.
Use Disk Utility to check the Partition Map Scheme on your external drives before you try to use one to install to.

Re: I don't have a dual-layer drive, can I install Tiger or Leopard?

"This tip is ready for consideration"

Hi a brody,
Maybe it's my training that states to focus on what we can do, but I'd suggest changing the double negatives to positives. Let me know as that does leave out the "if and only if" implication of the "can't" statements which you may want to keep.
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard come on what appear to be larger than 4.7 GB discs. This does not mean you need a dual layer drive to install them. Some Macs capable of installing Tiger or Leopard came with a built-in CD-RW, or CD-ROM drive. For those a compatible Firewire DVD drive for booting Mac OS X can work instead of replacing the internal drive. Tiger also came in a limited edition Media Exchange Program CD installer package, which you may be able to find in the open market. The limitation for each is dependant on other hardware:
1. If your Mac shipped new with no Firewire, you {color:red}may be able to{color} install Tiger {color:red}with{color} a special third party addon software known as XPostFacto.
2. If your Mac shipped new with less than 867 Mhz built-in processor (including dual processor 800 MHz or less), you {color:red}may be able to{color} install Leopard {color:red}with{color} a special third party addon software known as Leopard Assist.
3. If your Mac shipped with a processor upgrade card installed, and #2 is true, a firmware update may be available from the processor upgrade card vendor that allows Leopard's installation.
4. Tiger {color:red}needs{color} at least 256 MB of RAM.
Leopard {color:red}needs{color} at least 512 MB of RAM.
If you have a lot of dashboard widgets, you may need to increase RAM to improve performance on either operating system. The RAM needs to follow Apple's specs to ensure smooth operation. Only get RAM with a lifetime warranty.
5. Officially you need for Tiger:
"At least 3 GB of free disk space; 4 GB if you install the XCode 2 Developer Tools" from: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514
And officially for Leopard you need:
"9 GB of available disk space or more" from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3759
However, I would add to that if your hard drive doesn't have at least 15% of the drive free in addition to that, you may experience significant slowing down in the operating system function. This number has been arbitrarily discovered by many users.
6. When installing Tiger or Leopard, if your machine shipped with Panther (10.3) or earlier, be sure to get the retail Tiger or retail Leopard.
The Tiger installer is a san serif gray and white X with a spotlight on the center of the X on a black background.
The Leopard installer is a san serif black and gray X on a pink galaxy centered on a black background.
An Apple user since 1981 Mac OS X (10.6)

Can I Install Tiger with an exterinal USB DVD Drive??

Hi,
I've accuired a couple iMacs that are currently running Mac OS 9, but are fast enough to run Tiger. The problem is they only have built in CD drives. Rather than going out to find several internal iMac DVD drives, could I buy one exterinal USB DVD drive to install Tiger?
Thanks!

What happens if the firmware isn't updated?
The display may stop working, even for OS 9. It is not easy to fix.
I just installed 10.2 on one of them and it seems to be working. Should I uninstall it and upgrade the firmware and start over?
Check the "Boot ROM version" with System profiler. If the firmware is updated it will be 4.1.9
It is not necessary to remove OSX to install the updates if OS 9 is still on the hard drive. If not, and the OS 9 drivers are there, OS 9 can be installed without affecting OSX.
The update won't install if it is not needed.

Can't start from OS 9 to update firmware, so can't install Tiger

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