Imac g5- can't install os on new hard drive

Hello,
I have an iMac G5 that I haven't used in a while. When trying to turn it on today, I got the "question mark" folder. I tried to do some troubleshooting- tried to reinstall os x, but the hard drive didn't show up in the os x installer OR in disk utility. I went to my local Apple store and I was told that I needed a new hd. So, I bought a new hd and installed it. I still have problems, though! When I try to install os x, it says, "This software cannot be installed on this computer". I am using the install disc that originally came with the computer. The hd doesn't show up in the os x installer, but it does show up in disc utility. I have no idea what to do at this point. Please help!
Also, the new hd I bought is a Maxtor SATA II/300.

I am using the os x 10.4.2 install disk. The computer originally came with 10.4.0 install disks, but I misplaced them. The 10.4.2 install disk says it's for an iMac, though, so it should be working.. right?
Maybe, maybe not, Chuck. THis is almost certainly the cause of your problem, in fact.
If yours came with 10.4.0 originally it would have been a "Rev A" model (which probably had a version of Panther on it subsequently upgraded to Tiger) . 10.4.2 first arrived with the slightly different ALS model, though.
If you have access to the computer that came the with the 10.4.2 discs, you may be able to workaround the issue by connecting the one you are trying to instal on to the later one with a firewire cable, booting the one you want to install on in "Target Disk" mode (so it appears on the later computer's desktop), and then installing , using the DVD drive on the later computer.
This won't work in all circumstances (because of variations in the machine specific OS discs) , but in your case I think it would probably work. Note, though, that I am assuming you really do have a Tiger disc for the older iMac, as legally it is the one that provides you with a licence to install Tiger.
The best solution would be to find the original discs. If you can't then you should try to obtain a replacement set from Apple.
Rod

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