Can the iMac G5 be used without an internal drive?

I bought a used iMac G5 1.9GHz as a second computer for my wife. It was a steal but it also came with some issues. After spending a few days trying to install the OS without any luck I'm not sure what my options are. The Apple Hardware Test that comes on Tiger reports a Mass Storage Error. I've gotten 2 different ones with 2 different hardrives: 2STF/4/3: S-ATA Bus 0 - Master and 2STF/8/3: S-ATA Bus 0 - Master. However when I put both hardrives in a USB box and test them on my other mac, they both come out clean and error free.
While trying to install Leopard I get a little ways and then get a Kernel Panic - "You must restart your computer..." I'm suspecting the issue might be the HDD controller.
Can this computer be run without an internal HDD and only a firewire one? I was thinking of just removing the internal drive altogether and buying a firewire box. Is this possible?

I opened it up for umpteenth time, unplugged the hardrive and it started beautifully. I think (visualize me typing with my fingers crossed) I've solved ALL my other problems as well. It no longer gives me kernal panic errors, firewire works consistently and I finally managed to get the OS installed.
I'm actually thinking that I can install a drive in there with a small firewire controller board I have (there is room for in up in the top corner). Take the SATA power cable, change the plug on it and wire it into the IDE drive and firewire controller then run a short fw cable through the bottom of the case, around the back and just plug it into the fw in the back. Then I wouldn't need to purchase a fw case.
Thanks for all the help.

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