Clean Install of Tiger or Leopard on PPC Mac Mini?

I have an older PPC G4 Mac Mini (the last one Apple made before they went Intel).
Earlier this year I bought an iMac and transferred everything of interest from the Mini to the iMac. I would now like to wipe-clean the Mini and re-purpose it.
So, my question is in 2 parts:
1) The iMac came with OSX Leopard and I purchased (and installed) OSX Snow Leopard. Can I use the OSX Leopard disc that came with the iMac to install Leopard on the PPC Mac Mini?
2) If I can technically do #1, would I want to? My think is that the OSX Tiger that came with the Mini is a PPC binary while the OSX Leopard would probably wind up being a universal binary. Would this adversely impact performance?

1) The iMac came with OSX Leopard and I purchased (and installed) OSX Snow Leopard. Can I use the OSX Leopard disc that came with the iMac to install Leopard on the PPC Mac Mini?
No. The copy of Mac OS X that came with the iMac is licensed only for use with that system, even though you've upgraded to Snow Leopard.
In addition, it's probably only going to work on an Intel-based Mac and won't even install on your PPC mini. The code may be universal but the installer is probably written to only work with the iMac the disk came with.
If you want Leopard on the PPC mini, you need to purchase a retail copy of Leopard. There should be no performance impact; in fact you may find that Leopard runs a bit faster than Tiger. Leopard will take up a bit more space on the hard drive, though, than did Tiger.
Regards.
Message was edited by: Dave Sawyer

Similar Messages

Downgrading to Tiger from Leopard on a mac mini 2.0ghz

I just purchased a mac mini 2.0ghz that came with Leopard.
Since I am relatively new to the MAC world, I assumed that I could immediately replace Leopard with Tiger on the HD using a set of mac mini install discs I had previously purchased on eBay (I'm doing this because this mini was going to be used exclusively to run ProTools - which isn't Leopard compatible)
From the little bit I've read, it looks like I may have made a $800 mistake. Most places are saying that it it absolutely impossible to downgrade from Leopard to Tiger on this late model.
Is that really true? I just find it so hard to believe that the hardware and software are so tied together that you can't ever go 'backward' even if you want to.
Could someone please state clearly once and for all if there is any possible way to downgrade or do I need to throw my new mac mini in the proverbial trash can and chalk this one up for the experience?
Thanks.

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
This issue was raised by another poster very recently (http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1497891&tstart=0). Typically Macs cannot be booted from MacOS versions which predated the release of the hardware, or subsequent firmware update perhaps, but since Leopard was not released until after the current Core 2 Duo minis, it goes without saying that at least some of these systems did in fact have Tiger installed.
If Apple have made no hardware or firmware changes to the mini (and it's a big if, because typically that information is not made available), then Tiger should install and run fine on your system, proving only that the Tiger installer you have is actually from a 'late 2007' Intel mini.
The only way you'll know is to insert the Tiger installer you have, and boot the system holding the C key down (you will need a wired USB keyboard which is NOT one of the new aluminium type). If the system boots, then you should be able to do an install. Bear in mind that you will almost certainly get an error stating you cannot install that version of MacOS on the system because it will detect that you have a later version of MacOS already installed than on the install disk. That's normal. You can get around that by clicking the 'options' button on the installer and selecting 'erase and install', which wipes the hard drive and installs MacOS.
If the system will not boot from the Tiger install disk, then in effect that would confirm that you will not be able to regress the macOS version - at least not by any conventional means. There are always some who investigate and find ways to work around some of these limitations, so there may be an unofficial and unsupported workaround out there, but there would be no way to know how stable it would be, and whether you would be able to successfully update it.

Can I install the ordinary Snow Leopard onto a Mac Mini Server?

I have a just-purchased 'Mac Mini with Snow leopard Server' (i.e. the model with two hard disks and no superdrive). I also have a copy of Snow Leopard - the ordinary version, not the server version. Although you might think this a weird thing to do, I may want to install 'ordinary' SL onto the Mac Mini. Is there likely to be any problem with that (I am hoping that the result will be more or less identical to purchasing an ordinary Mac Mini, except that I would have 2 disks instead of one and a superdrive)?

I've just discovered this question has already been answered:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2303656

How do I do a Clean install of Tiger and Classic?

My G4 came with Jaguar. OS 9 was part of the complete installation, that you could install or choose not to install. My computer has been having a lot of issues lately and I think that a clean install would be a good idea, especially, since I used an upgrade to install Panther and then installed Tiger on top of Panther. I want to install classic and Tiger. How do I do this properly? Thanks

I plan to back up my personal files and any
downloaded software I have.
Amazing that. You've told us that numerous times, but
you've failed to provide us with information on
HOW you're going to do this. That is, please
explain WHAT you're using for the backup and
WHERE you're planning on using to store the
backup.
All Power Macs come with the capability of burning CD's today. Mine can also burn DVD's, so backing up MY files is NOT a problem. I just can't clone my whole drive. Now, I'm not sure how this is pertinent in answering my question about how to properly do a clean install of Tiger and be able to install Classic. My son however, just told me he thinks that all I need to do is to clean-install Tiger. Then, insert the installation CD with classic on it that came with my computer. Find the invisible file, which is a disk image and drag the contents of the disk image to my computer. If anyone can tell me if this is correct, I would appreciate it.

Install old iLife from 10.3 disks onto iBook w/ a clean install of Tiger?

My ibook originally came with Panther 10.3. iLife was included on the install disks.
A few months ago, I did a clean install of Tiger. I then tried to reinstall iLife from the Panther 10.3 disks. However, only Garageband and iDVD show up ---iPhoto and iMovie don't show up at all. I've searched for these programs, but they are not installed.
I spoke to an apple rep and he said that I should NEVER install old programs from a Panther disk onto a clean install of Tiger. However, the guy did not seem confident in what he told me. He said my mac should be very unstable and that I shouldn't even be able to use Garageband....but I have had no problems with my mac or using Garageband for the past 4 months.
Is he correct? And if so, should I do a clean install of Panther, and then upgrade to Tiger? I wonder if this will correctly install the whole iLife suite?

My ibook originally came with Panther 10.3. iLife was included on the install disks.
A few months ago, I did a clean install of Tiger. I then tried to reinstall iLife from the Panther 10.3 disks. However, only Garageband and iDVD show up ---iPhoto and iMovie don't show up at all. I've searched for these programs, but they are not installed.
I spoke to an apple rep and he said that I should NEVER install old programs from a Panther disk onto a clean install of Tiger. However, the guy did not seem confident in what he told me. He said my mac should be very unstable and that I shouldn't even be able to use Garageband....but I have had no problems with my mac or using Garageband for the past 4 months.
Is he correct? And if so, should I do a clean install of Panther, and then upgrade to Tiger? I wonder if this will correctly install the whole iLife suite?

Can't do a clean install of Tiger - receive error message

I am running Tiger 10.4.11. I've had some system quirks recently, so I wanted to do a clean install of Tiger using the install disk. But when I insert the install disk and click on the installer, I get an error message that says "Mac OS X 10.4 can't be installed on this machine. Please consult the documentation for the list of supported Macintosh computers." Any ideas what is going on here?? Any help appreciated.
Thank you,
Bob

It turns out I had the Tiger disk from my old Powerbook, and not the Tiger disk from my Macbook. That solves that question.
However, it still won't let me do a clean reinstall where my data is preserved - it said it had to reformat the disk which would erase all the data.

Clean install of Tiger on new HD. Clone? or what....

is the best thing to do. I have just bought a spiffing new Hitachi 7200 HD for my PB and am torn between creating a clone using Drive Genius and copying it back or should I just copy my Home folder to the clean instalation of Tiger. Of course I would need to reinstall all my progs.
If some can point me in the right direction I would be gratefull.
I have also bought a HD enclosure USB 2 for the old 5400 original drive.

I hope you are aware that you cannot boot the computer with a USB drive. If you planned to clone to the USB drive, then boot from it, you will not be able to do so. USB drives cannot boot OS X. You will need a Firewire drive instead. Best swap that USB case for a Firewire case.
If I were you I would clone your existing system to an external Firewire drive. I would then boot from the Firewire drive and upgrade to Tiger. If all works well and you have no problems arise, then you can decide whether to install Tiger cleanly on the internal hard drive or to clone back from the external drive.
If you choose the above then before creating the initial clone you must do the following:
Boot from your OS X Installer. Be sure to use the installer for the version of OS X you have installed. After the installer loads select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (or Utilities menu if using Tiger.) After DU loads select your OS X volume from the list on the left, click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now shutdown the computer for a couple of minutes and then restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (3.0.3 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.0.6 for Tiger) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
Do not clone unless your hard drive is verified as OK.
Next prep the new external hard drive as follows:
1. Open Disk Utility in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Set the number of partitions from the dropdown menu (use 1 partition unless you wish to make more.) Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled, if supported.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the volume(s) mount on the Desktop.
4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled, if supported.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
6. Click on the Erase button. The format process will take 30 minutes to an hour or more depending upon the drive size.
Last, perform the clone using Disk Utility:
1. Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder unless it's already open.
2. Select the startup volume from the left side list.
3. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
4. Drag the startup volume to the Source entry field.
5. Select the backup volume from the leftside list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
6. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
Test the clone by opening Startup Disk and setting the external drive as the startup disk. Click on Restart.

Question about installing Snow Leopard on a Mac Mini

I'm in the process of installing Snow Leopard on a Mac Mini, but it's taking forever. It's been installing for well over 2 hours now and still indicates an hour left to install. Is this unusual? I'm getting a little concerned. What do I do if I have to cancel the install? Do I have to start from scratch again?

How about this:
1. If necessary start up from the external HD & verify that everything is working right & all your files are intact on it.
2. Clone from the external to internal HD.
3. Start up from the internal HD & verify as in #1 that everything works as expected.
4. Install Snow Leopard on the external HD. If that completes successfully, restart from it & verify as above.
5.a. If that all checks out, clone the external back to the internal HD & you are done.
5.b. If that fails, you still have the internal HD with your working copy of 10.5.8 to use while you try to figure out what is going wrong.
The main benefit of this is you always have one working installation to fall back on no matter what happens.

I can not install Lion or Snow Leopard on my mac book pro

I can´t install Lion or Snow Leopard on my mac book pro. I tells me that it can not install because :can not get the extra components required to install mac os x.

Dec 31 22:56:47 localhost Install Mac OS X Lion[343]: @(#)PROGRAM:Install PROJECT:Install-686.2
Dec 31 22:56:47 localhost Install Mac OS X Lion[343]: @(#)PROGRAM:IA PROJECT:InstallAssistant-209
Dec 31 22:56:47 localhost Install Mac OS X Lion[343]: Hardware: MacBookPro5,3 @ 2.80 GHz (x 2), 8192 MB RAM
Dec 31 22:56:47 localhost Install Mac OS X Lion[343]: Running OS Build: Mac OS X 10.7.2 (11C74)
Dec 31 22:56:47 localhost Install Mac OS X Lion[343]: Env: PATH=/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin
Dec 31 22:56:47 localhost Install Mac OS X Lion[343]: Env: PWD=/
Dec 31 22:56:47 localhost Install Mac OS X Lion[343]: Env: SHLVL=1
Dec 31 22:56:47 localhost Install Mac OS X Lion[343]: Env: __OSINSTALL_ENVIRONMENT=1
Dec 31 22:56:47 localhost Install Mac OS X Lion[343]: Env: CI_DEFAULT_OPENCL_USAGE=0
Dec 31 22:56:47 localhost Install Mac OS X Lion[343]: Env: OS_INSTALL=1
Dec 31 22:56:47 localhost Install Mac OS X Lion[343]: Env: _=/System/Installation/CDIS/LCA.app/Contents/MacOS/LCA
Dec 31 22:56:47 localhost Install Mac OS X Lion[343]: Using distribution archive from /Volumes/Image Volume/Packages/OSInstall.mpkg
Dec 31 22:56:49 localhost Install Mac OS X Lion[343]: Using product <OSInstallDVDProduct> based on media at /Volumes/Image Volume at distance 10
Dec 31 22:56:49 localhost Install Mac OS X Lion[343]: Using product <OSInstallESDProduct> based on distribution at /Volumes/Image Volume/Packages/OSInstall.mpkg at distance 5
Dec 31 22:56:49 localhost Install Mac OS X Lion[343]: Checking Software Update catalog URL http://swscan.apple.com/content/catalogs/others/index-lion-snowleopard-leopard.m erged-1.sucatalog
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Dec 31 22:56:49 localhost diskmanagementd[332]: DM ..T+[DMToolBootPreference getPartitionBootability:]: PMBootCapable=0         (bootable if you call MKCFPrepareBootDevice)
Dec 31 22:56:49 localhost diskmanagementd[332]: DM ..T+[DMToolBootPreference getPartitionBootability:]: PMBootSurgeryRequired=0 (for primitive MBR on BIOS, add boot block and loader)
Dec 31 22:56:49 localhost diskmanagementd[332]: DM ..T+[DMToolBootPreference getPartitionBootability:]: PMFSSurgeryRequired=0   (for primitive MBR on BIOS, add boot block and loader)
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PPC Mac mini + Apple remote

Hi - I've got a PPC mac mini and use it mainly with EyeTV 2.3 / Miglia TVMini. I managed to get Front Row installed on it, and it sort of works ok with the Miglia remote.
Having read that EyeTV now supports the Apple remote, I went and got one - to find that it doesn't work. Presumably EyeTV only supports it if the mini has the internal inrared sensor. Which mine doesn't. (Although the TVMini appears to pick up the Apple remote signal, just not do anything with it.)
Aside from the fact that I'd be shelling out another £25 to get a £19 remote working, would connecting an iPod dock with built-in infrared allow me to control front row via the Apple remote? Ie will OS X recognise it as a built-in infrared sensor - which the remote seems to want?
Cheers
James
Mac mini Mac OS X (10.4.7)

ya, neither did i... apple is just afraid that anything will be said against them in any way
 Mac Mini Intel Core Solo- 1 GB RAM- Superdrive- Production week 18 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Need to upgrade memory in ppc mac mini

Does anyone know of a step by step guide with pictures to installing memory in a ppc mac mini? Need to upgrade to a gig to use some graphics software. Thanks,
Steve

In sleep mode (STR) the RAM has to be refreshed to
keep the memory content, so the more you got the more
power will be consumed on this.
Having less ram will therefore benefit battery life
in sleep mode.
This is only of concern to portable users of course, and the additional RAM has barely any impact on power demand whether from mains-power or battery. Some admittedly, but not much. Nor would it be all that easy to tell what drain it caused since there are other variables involved with battery drain rates too, such as ambient temperature.
There is still room for improvement in whatever
algorithm it is that determines when "inactive"
memory is released. Paging frequently happens after
copying large files since all memory is in use and
"recently" so, even if this use is one where the
content is NOT likely to be needed again.
The much hyped idea that "old" inactive memory is
being released when more is needed I find it
difficult to confirm, or paging would not be needed.
Simply caching EVERYTHING does not in my mind count
as an "intelligent" algorithm..
As much as this may be valid, there is no way the user is able to change the algorithm - it's part of the operating system. As such, the user can really only take such steps as may be possible to improve the working of the system - one significant such step being adding RAM.
This can be cleared up by running "repair
permissions" in DU, since it seems to release much of
the inactive RAM. It would be much better to have a
small utility to do this, though, if making the OS
more intelligent is not an option.
Running disk utility may be an effective method of resolving memory allocations etc, but it then places the onus on the user to monitor the system and manually activate a process. Part of the appeal of MacOS to many people is that it removes much of the onus users of other operating systems feel is placed on them to keep tuning the system - activities which detract from the use of the system.
Ultimately, I have to say that I have never found the need to do anything of that sort. I do use MenuMeters (a very neat little app to place system monitoring tools in the menu bar and which uses barely any CPU overhead to do so) to watch the status of my system, but only as an occasional troubleshooting aid when I'm testing software or experimenting with the system. That is about as far as I go with anything other than using the system. Certainly, I've not found any need to perform the sort of tasks that are often being recommended, and even the systems I run 24/7 remain efficient in operation.
I can say that while my G4 was running off a 5400rpm drive, increasing RAM from 768Mb to 1.5Gb quite dramatically improved performance of both 10.4 and 10.2 but had little benefit in OS9 (all booting from separate drives). The effects were rather less noticeable after swapping out to 7200 drives instead.

Trying to share a printer attached to a PPC Mac Mini

Hi all.
I'm reinsterting an old Mac Mini running OS X 10.5.8 as a headless print server. I can interact with it via other computers to share the screen, so my network protocol with the computer is sound. My problem is, I can't seem to print to any printer attached to this computer--this is obviously a problem, as that's the whole reason I've revived this device.
Sharing setup for all computers is complete and the client computers don't seem to have any trouble seeing the printer. But when I print to it, the job is sent VERY quickly (suspiciously so) from my clients (a Mac Mini Intel in the living room and a MacBook), and the PPC mini shows no indication a print job was ever delivered.
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Thanks!

OK then, please post a brand new question in the OS X 10.5.8 "Leopard" forum:
https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os/mac_os_x_v10.5_leopard
I no longer have a Leopard system to test and I used my one brilliant idea for today.
A new question should solicit more interest. Hopefully one of the old guard can think of something. Reference this thread so they can read what you did so far: Trying to share a printer attached to a PPC Mac Mini
Edit: Before you go, can you print to this printer while directly attached to the other computers too? Make sure it's not a simple driver problem. Good luck!
Message was edited by: John Galt

Can I install windows home server 2011 on a mac mini?

Hey guys and girls...
Can I install windows home server 2011 on a mac mini? If so how?

WHS is 64-bit. Genius are really not versed in Boot Camp or Windows, let alone anything not on the "approved" list of Windows versions.
Most of the problems are with burning ISO, or the SuperDrive. It should have seen the NTFS partition. Disk Utility is known to be trouble, burning it on your Mac Mine but iwth Windows 7....?
Seeing you have Windows 7, format the partition to NTFS 160GB you want and then exit and boot WHS installer.
Or run the install from Windows 7.
In past, WHS supported TimeMachine, streaming video, supported iTunes (that was broken/disabled it seems by Apple with 10.0), as well as even SuperDuper backups.
Main idea is to have some network attached drives.
Netgear ReadyNAS Ultra2 Review
Newegg - HP StorageWorks X310 Windows Home Server
I have both a ISO and Burned it to a dvd useing windows 7 built in ISO burning software, Its a 64 bit copy (got from microsoft download website from my dads microsoft account).
It is enouth for the OS but it runs slowish on the mac mini (latest core 2 duo 2.4ghz model) The Idea was to have it backup my pc and laptop to a usb drive and act as a media centre pc (connected to av receaver and tv and on a gigabit network with a 2TB nas)
Since it looks like this may not work, whats the best way to make it into a media centure? mac osx? windows 7? plex? whats best and good?
I'd avoid USB like the plague. Why not use your PC instead? If I was going to use a Mini for WHS, I'd just use the Mini solely for Windows and not have OS X (you can boot OS X off an external drive anyway).

Do I need a more recent mac mini to use my iphone 4 with. Im unable to download snow leopard because my mac mini is older. Do I need to get a new mac or is there something else i can do

Do I need a more recent mac mini to use my iphone 4 with. Im unable to download snow leopard because my mac mini is older. Do I need to get a new mac or is there something else i can do

Get Leopard.
System Requirements
Apple ID (required for some features)
Internet access6
Syncing with iTunes on a Mac or PC requires:
Mac: OS X v10.5.8 or later
PC: Windows 7; Windows Vista; or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or later
iTunes 10.5 or later (free download fromwww.itunes.com/download)
http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html

How to install windows xp on bootcamp on new Mac mini?

How can i install windows xp on bootcamp on new Mac mini?
I know that i should get an external usb optical drive, but buying such hardware for one use is a waste of money. Is there any other method?
I currently own a MacBook white, and really like the configuration. I it possible to copy the image of bootcamp to new mac mini? If so, what will happen to hardware and drivers?

Admiralali wrote:
Let me get this right:
1- copy the exact image of the winxp installation dc to USB
2- start bootcamp assistant, go through everything, till rebooting
3- boot from USB (hold ALT and select the USB volume)
4- go through winxp setup and done!
Am I missing anything?
I think that USB would be readable only on Mac os or winxp, but will the winxp installer read from USB?
Correct me if wrong.
Having read further websites, I am now a bit more dubious you can do this, at least with an XP installer.
However if you have a USB memory stick and an existing Windows computer (even a Boot Camp one) or can borrow one you could try using the free WinToFlash utility to make a supposedly bootable USB memory stick of the installer. See http://wintoflash.com/overview/en/
The problem is XP predates EFI firmare and XP only really knows BIOS firmware. As such (supposedly) XP would have problems booting from a USB device fully - it might lose connection part way through. Windows Vista and 7 do support EFI firmware.
The other approach I mentioned of temporarily moving the hard disk from the Mini to the MacBook so you can use the MacBook internal CD/DVD drive would work - be careful of the cables. Fortunately a new Mac mini and an old MacBook are two of the easier models to get at the hard disk. See http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook-Core-2-Duo-Hard-Drive-Replacement/514/1 (they also list other MacBook models) and http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-Mac-Mini-Mid-2011-Hard-Drive-Replacement/ 6422/1
Regardless of which method you try, the first step would be on the Mac mini to run Boot Camp Assistant and to create the partition for Windows. Then via either method try booting from a Windows XP installer.
As I have taken Macs apart many times, I personally might go the swapping the hard disk over route.

Clean Install of Tiger or Leopard on PPC Mac Mini?

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