Ibook G4 stuck in middle of installation.

Question

I purchased a used ibook g4 from someone and it was freezing. I got installation discs online, but none of them seem to install except the first one. For several days now my computer has been stuck at the "please insert disc 2 stage," but the discs I have burned to not work. Is there a way to revert back to where I was at prior to the installation? If so I would love to know how to do this or any advice at all as to how to complete installation. Thanks!!!

Answer 1

There is a possibility the gray install discs you received may not really
be for the iBook G4 computer you have; so the second disc's contents
would not match the first disc's content. Together, they build a machine
specific version. Some first-discs of other iBook G4s will install partially,
but if the set is incorrect for the build model (build date differences) the
issue would not allow the second disc to work.
(Of course, if you received a replacement disc set from Apple Store
Online, per mentioned later in this post; the method suggested in
the earlier post has worked for several persons to get an OS installed.
Sometimes, the correct disc set struggles; where the original set on
a properly prepared hard disk drive works like a nice dream.)
And no error messages outside of the second disc's simple one or an
unstated refusal to work, may occur. So, IF you can identify the computer
by serial number (number may be under the keyboard, if you can't boot
the computer to see what System Profiler reports is the serial number)
then use the Identify by Serial Number web site - there's a few of these:
• Apple Serial Number Info // Decode your Mac's serial number:
http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php
• info by serial number Klantenservice:
http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html
With this information, you could call the Apple online store phone
number and ask about getting a replacement correct install restore
system disc set, as shipped with when new: 1-800-MY-APPLE.
{A call into AppleCare (another number) may cost an initial fee, at
some point could be helpful if you have technical questions.}
The serial number, for identifying the computer and also to get the
correct replacement original install-restore disc (with hardware test)
as these two purposes do converge in an attempt to solve this issue.
While this does not actually answer your question (and the give reply
may work; or it may not) the idea is to solve the larger problem if you
happen to have the incorrect disc set from elsewhere and are trying
to make it work in the wrong computer model.
More specifications on most things Apple can be downloaded as an
offline database, free, for use to help resolve upgrade, update and
compatibility questions. Also, to help others configure their hardware:
• Visit MacTracker to download helpful specifications: http://mactracker.ca
• See EveryMac - compare your model in their database: http://everymac.com
The correct replacement disc set would have whatever additional Apps
included with the iBook G4; and they should just install normally. And,
there is another partial reason why an install disc set may not fully install
and that may be due to whatever may be already on the computer's
hard disk drive. If it is nearly too full, the extra installs would not occur.
Confirming the correct discs are in hand, could involve finding the serial
number, running it through the Identify by serial number site(s) and then
calling Apple sales (online store number in store header) to ask if they
can help you identify and/or replace with correct discs, the original install
restore set; and have the serial number handy. They should be able to
tell you if the disc set you have (it has numbers on it, part numbers) is
the right one. Or, if you got taken by the seller of those discs.
The way I see it, nobody has any business selling a computer to someone else
and not including the original install-restore disc set. If the set is missing, then
the computer owner should buy or find/include an exact correct software set;
or give away the computer to some charity where they repair & donate to those
who can't afford computers; these people often know how to find the correct discs.
The install-restore disc set is part of the computer. Like the processor, logic board
and graphics unit. A number are sold without legal proof of licensed OS or installer.
Or the incorrect discs are offered for sale to allegedly help those who find out later
their purchase is somehow lacking in the most basic of tools; a way to test the Mac,
repair the OS, reinstall the OS, and maintain the system. The boot install-restore disc.
An original disc set is very handy even if the computer gets an OS X upgrade, since a
retail disc set will not have the Apple Hardware Test on those discs; and if a system
to show the computer does work is in the computer, the original OS restore set is fine.
The discs, included with the computer, tells everyone there is a license included, too.
+(At one point, a friend was able to use an eMac G4 original 10.3.9 install+
+disc set to put Panther on to an iBook G3 white model, first edition; the+
+eMac software was on a CD set; and it worked amazingly well. However+
+the cross-matching of similar software has almost no chance in later Macs.+
+And the most obvious sign, is when a dialog box appears early on; in an+
+attempt to boot from the installer, to use it, it says the discs won't work.)+
Hope for the best, while considering that other possibility.
Good luck & happy computing!
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