I book G4 will not boot up/want to re install but do not know the version??

Question

My kid did something to our I book, and now it is stuck on a blank blue screen.
I have tried many different things, and now just want to re install the software
and hope for the best.. i got a disk from a friend of 10.4.. and after the language
it says cannot install.. Maybe this is the wrong version of Op Sys??
what to do.. maybe this is security issue..
I would buy a new op sys.. but do not know which one was used.. we bought the comp
on E bay.///
Help..

Answer 1

If the iBook G4 build model you have is among the last of their production,
(mid-2005) those shipped with a machine series-specific restore/install
DVD and an early retail version of Tiger 10.4 probably won't work.
The 'mid-2005' iBook G4 12/14" 1.33/1.42GHz
computers included Tiger, one of these:
Mac OS X 10.4.2 (8D37)
Mac OS X 10.4.4 (8G32)
A last-version retail install DVD Tiger 10.4.6 could work, but it would
not include the other software as-shipped with the iBook when new.
If your computer is a late-2004, it shipped with Panther 10.3.x
and any Tiger retail install DVD (not for a specific model) can
work so long as the computer build supports the OS X version.
And, an even older iBook (G3) may have shipped with a boot OS
X version on CD media, and not even have a Combo optical drive.
The first iBook G4 should have at least a Combo (dvd reader) drive.
• How to find the serial number of your Apple hardware product:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1349
You can check the iBook serial number against an online search
to find its build-date; then use that info to learn more about it.
• Decode a Mac's serial number:
http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php
• Identify your Mac - serial number model lookup:
http://www.powerbookmedic.com/identify-mac-serial.php
• Klantenservice: Serienummers
http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html
With the serial number information, if the computer is not
super old, it may still be possible to get a replacement set
of install discs from *Apple Sales 1-800-MY-APPLE* and if
they still can get you a duplicate or replacement set, there
would be a fee; you may get lucky, if it isn't too old a Mac.
A 'replacement set' would constitute an 'original' vintage set.
• Apple - Support - iBook:
http://www.apple.com/support/ibook/
You can check the build model run (ie: Late 2004, Early 2003, etc)
in this Apple warranty coverage page by using Serial number input:
https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do
+Even if the computer is way out of warranty. This can help identify.+
The MacTracker D/L database of Apple product information,
general specs which may be helpful to identify configuration
& update a product, can be found here: http://mactracker.ca
However that works out...
Good luck & happy computing!
+{ edited }+