Install Panther on a G4 w/ Tiger to be installed on top of that ?eMac DVDs

FIRST, let me say that I know that I this a long post, thanks for bearing with me. If you would prefer NOT to deal with all of these issues then, please feel free to your option by dealing with only 1, 2 or 3, etc. of the issues.
Hi,
I have several questions that I would like to get some clarification on.
A) To start with has anyone dealt with Fastmanc.com and had any kind of problems in regards to ordering older versions of Mac OSs and/or being sent machine specific Install packages that didn't match what you used, e,g, sent eMac install for use on a G4?
I've ordered a full installation package for Panther and with it comes with an updating CD for the updates through 10.3.9.
1)However, they told me that they were the install DVDs for an eMac. They guaranteed(not in writing) me that I would not have problems doing the install even though I have a G4 DP. I ordered these OS install DVDs after questioning them quite closely about this issue. At present I'm running a G4 DP 500(GigabitEthernet) with 512 MB of RAM, 2. ATI Radeon videocards and I have a completely updated version of 10.2.8(security patches et al). Will the fact that I'm using the install package for an eMac bring any problems my way during the installation and afterwards? If so, what kind and how serious a set of problems are likely to occur? I don't understand why having a more powerful and flexible setup wouldn't be able to handle the install from an eMac?
2) The install DVDs for 10.4 are the update version again for the eMac and a CD with all of the Apple OS updates. The CD contains all of the updates through OS 10.4.11. Should I be aware of any issues during the installation process for Tiger?
3) My HD(actually, I have 3) the original 40 GB is a Hitachi/IBM Deskstar, which is slaved to a new Seagate 120 GB, and an external Maxtor 1 Touch 300 GB HD, the Maxtor is used for auto backup(Retrospect 6.0.195).
a)I have partitioned the Seagate into 4 segments, 1) Seagate 10.2., 2) Seagate 10.3, 3) Seagate 10.4 and 4) Seagate 9.0 (for all of Apple OS 9 legacy software, 3rd party apps, and all of the work that I produced while using OS 9, etc.) The Hitachi/IBM has three partitions and all are almost completely full.
4) Installation locations
4a) Now what I'm wondering is, when I install all of Panther, will I be able to install it in the partition designated S.G. 10.3.? IF not, into what partition is it likely to end up?
4b) Being that 10.4(Tiger) is an upgrade version installation will it automatically attach/install itself into the same partition where Panther installed? Or, can I designate it to install into the partition that I labeled as S.G. 10.4? This is where I would prefer to have it install.
4c) If 10.4 does install into the S.G. 10.4 partition will it function seamlessly being that it is separated from 10.3 which it is supposed to install itself over the top of? (I believe that the correct Tech description for this process.)
5) If there is anything that I haven't thought of, haven't made clear or if you have any caveats or other suggestions, then please feel free to include them.
Thanks for whatever assistance that you may provide.
ole_pirate

Hi,
first thing is to check that you have the updated firmware for you GE installed.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
If you have any OS installed run Apple System profiler and check the versiom, it should be 4.2.8
You need an OS 9 installation to be able to run the firmware update in case the firmware is old.
Hans

Similar Messages

I keep getting Kernel Panic when I try to install Panther

Hello!
I bought a used iMac from eBay. It's a 500mhz Indigo model with CDRW. It has Jaguar and OS9 installed on it and I want to install Panther. When I try to do the install the computer reboots and I get the Kernel Panic. I just want to wipe out whatever is there and start fresh with Panther but the Kernel keeps getting Panicky. Can anyone help?
BTW I'm not installing Tiger because I don't have it yet.
Thanks!
iMac G3 500mhz Indigo CDRW model Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Hi Again KeepItSimple!
As I asked in your Other Topic, does the Full Retail Version of Panther, have CDs that look like THESE?
It isn't necessary to start a new topic for the same issue. It's preferable to keep all the information in the same thread. Then users attempting to assist you have all the pertinent data in one place.
ali b

Can't install Panther- or kinda did?

I hope someone can help- I've spent days futzing with my computer and combing the discussions and support articles and am still stumped.
I recently received a used white iBook G3 from a friend with OS 9.1 on it. I want to upgrade it to Panther. I read in these forums that I needed to upgrade the startup disk to 9.2 in order to be able to start up from the Panther cds so I did that. I still could not get the computer to start up from the cd in order to install OS 10.3. I tried choosing in startup, pressing c as i restarted, pressing option as I restarted, no luck. Then I tried as I read somewhere here, pressing X as I restarted- and joyful day, I got the music and the OS X welcome. I got through the next couple pages asking me to set up internet, mail and to register (which I couldn't complete bc I wasn't hooked up to the internet) and then I was at an OS X desktop without actually having installed, didn't get to customize, choose archive and install or anything. Turns out I'm now in 10.0.3 and don't seem to be able to install Panther or install anything from the 2nd or 3rd cd! Was anything installed? I don't have iPhoto or many other things. Did a half install take place? Restarting from cd 1 does nothing. And I can't install anything off of cd 2 or 3. Please help!
What actually happened? And how can I complete this attempted installation?

Your post is quite confusing as you say you want to install Panther but somehow installed 10.0.3. ("Turns out I'm now in 10.0.3 and don't seem to be able to install Panther or install anything from the 2nd or 3rd cd!") First, unless you installed many of the extras all of Panther will install from one or two CDs.
Second, you don't need OS 9 at all. If you plan to run OS 9 applications and use Classic while running OS X, then you need to install OS 9.1 or higher, but OS 9 is not required in any way for OS X.
Because you've provided no useful information on the actual model and configuration of your Mac, it's pretty difficult to go much further. Installing Panther requires a minimum of 128 MBs of installed RAM and at least an 8 GB hard drive. For any practical use you really need about 512 MBs of installed RAM and a 20 GB hard drive.
I suggest you might try all over and do the following:
Insert the Panther Installer Disc One into the optical drive and restart the computer. Immediately after you hear the chime press and hold down the "C" key. Don't release the key until you see a spinning gear appear below the dark gray Apple logo. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu. After DU loads select the hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the left side list, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window, set the number of partitions to one (1) and the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) from the respective drop down menus. Click on the Partition button. After partitioning has completed quit DU and return to the installer.
Proceed with the installation until you reach the point where you select a destination drive. Click on the drive then click on the Options button. Be sure to select the Erase and Install option then click on OK. Continue with the installation. In the next dialog you should see a Customize button. Click on it to customize your installation. Continue and finish the installation. If files are needed from a second disc you will be prompted after the computer restarts.
At the top of this page you will see a navbar link titled "Manuals." Click on it and you will be able to track down a PDF copy of the User Guide for your computer as well as guides for OS X. I recommend you obtain the manuals and read them thoroughly.
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Need help installing panther to my bondi blue imac g3

I have recenlty acquired a bondi blue imac g3. it has os 9.0 on it but i am trying to install osx 10.3 . i have gotten an unsued copy of 10.3 but when i insert the disks into the disc drive the are unredable by my computer. i have made sure that i have upgraded my hardware to the required levels but still have had no luck. any help here would be greatly apprecieated.

"I have recenlty acquired a bondi blue imac g3. it has os 9.0 on it but i am trying to install osx 10.3."
I have several suggestions, with the first involving a check of the iMac's firmware to be sure that the Firmware Update 1.2 has already been run on it, prior to installing OS X. It has been so long since I explored my Panther installer disk, but it may be found on it. The second suggestion I'd make would be to replace the iMac's internal 3.6-volt, ½AA lithium battery. I prefer the Saft batteries over some of the competitor's equivalents. It's 1,200 mAh is as good as you'll find, whereas some others are rated less - 1,000mAh or less. If the computer has been disconnected from electrical power for some time, the battery is likely very weak or dead. A dead battery can cause startup issues, so it's good to eliminate the potential for problems caused by leaving a bad battery in the computer. This web site has a lot of useful info for maintaining/upgrading tray-loading iMacs. The next hardware areas to address before installing Panther would be the amount of internal SDRAM installed and the hard drive's capacity. If you install a larger internal hard drive, you must partition it so that the first partition is about 7.8-7.9 GBs. This first partition that's less than 8 GBs is the required volume for an OS X installation in the tray-loading iMacs.
If the cleaning disk doesn't stop the read problems with the internal optical drive, you have to consider the possibility that it has hardware and/or electronic problems associated with age and usage. With only a USB 1.0 port on that iMac, I wouldn't recommend using an external USB optical drive, primarily because it wouldn't be bootable for the OS X installation. Additionally, the first generation USB has a slow data transfer rate (12 Mbps/sec), that ultimately limits the read speed of the drive. I'd check eBay for a pulled/used 24x CD-ROM drive.

Erased harddrive with Disk 1 of Tiger but can't eject disk to install Panth

I have a iMac G5 PowerPC 8,2. I am prepping the computer to be used in my research laboratories by others. As described here, I have erased my hard drive. I put in Disk I of the install disk that came with the computer (Tiger) and used Disk Utility and did a 7 pass erase which took all of 5 hours. Now the screen is prompting me to Install. However, I would like to use my Panther disks to Install Panther rather than Tiger, but I can't quite figure out how to eject the Tiger disk, and put the Panther disk in, particularly without absolutely confusing the computer about which disk is supposed to be booting from. So, do I need to install Tiger first and then install Panther?
HELP is most welcomed.
Thanks,
M

molecularpenguin, welcome to Apple Discussions.
You have to install Tiger. You can't install an OS older than the OS that came on the Mac.
To open the disc drive, depress/hold your mouse on startup.
 Cheers, Tom

Installing Panther on G4 iBook which came with Tiger

Anyone help? I want to install Panther on G4 iBook which came with Tiger installed. I've used my iMac Panther disks to install, but although the iBook goes all through the installation process, it won't start up from Panther.

Lyssa
Thanks for your reply. I suspected this might be the case but still hope there might be a way round it.
I want Panther on the iBook first because I prefer it to Tiger. Tiger has some annoying little features - for example, the fact that if you select a whole load of files and Get Info on them you get a separate window for each file - if you want to hide the extensions you have to tick the box in each separate window. In Panther you get a single window applying to all the files - neat! There are various other silly little things like this.
Second, the versions of Mail in Panther and Tiger are incompatible. If I save an email on the iBook (while away from home, for example) and want to transfer it to one of the mailboxes on my (Panther) iMac, I have to go through the following laborious process:
1. Save the email on the iBook in Raw Message format. Copy it to the iMac (via a mobile hard drive).
2. Create a temporary mailbox folder in Mail on the iMac. Close Mail.
3. Go to Users ... Library/Mail/Mailboxes. Change the extension of the temporary folder from mbox to txt.
4. Open it (it now opens as an ordinary folder).
5. Copy the text of the email into the document called mbox.
6. Close the folder, change its extension back to mbox.
7. Open Mail again, move the email from the temporary folder into the folder where it belongs.
8. Delete the temporary folder.
Ridiculous or what?

Need help erase and install panther. system apps abnormality.

hello
my ibook has been erratic recently.
and now iTunes, activity monitor, grab, installer, disk utility... etc.
do not launch (cannot open app because xxx is damaged or incomplete).
i've tried fixing permissions, prebinding, emptying cache.
i've copied installer and disk utility from installation disk, so now they work.
i've tried to restore software using the cd, but when it comes to selecting the hard drive,
it's got a red ! and says: (null)
i've tried to start computer from installation cd, however i can't seem to get past grey apple.
(i'm guessing maybe some broken system files restricting it from working,
as i can read the disk properly when i've booted from internal)
as a last resort, i've backed everything up to firewire external (bootable).
i plan to: boot via external
wipe clean internal to extended journaled
put installation disk in computer
shutdown and remove internal
start computer via pressing c
install system files
is this feasible??
thanks alot in advance

lexlie:
My understanding of what you are trying to do is to:
1. Reformat and erase internal HDD.
2. Reinstall from install disk.
3. Restore from backup.
If I am correct, here is how you might proceed:
Formatting, Partitioning Zeroing a Hard Disk Drive
Warning! This procedure will destroy all data on your Hard Disk Drive. Be sure you have an up-to-date, tested backup of at least your Users folder and any third party applications you do not want to re-install before attempting this procedure.
Boot from the install CD holding down the "C" key.
Select language
Go to the Utilities menu (Tiger) Installer menu (Panther & earlier) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select Partition tab in main panel. (You are about to create a single partition volume.)
Select number of partition in pull-down menu above Volume diagram.
(Note: One partition is normally preferable for an internal HDD.)
Type in name in Name field (usually Macintosh HD)
Select Volume Format as Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Click Partition button at bottom of panel.
Select Erase tab
Select the sub-volume (indented) under Manufacturer ID (usually Macintosh HD).
Check to be sure your Volume Name and Volume Format are correct.
Optional: Select on Security Options button (Tiger) Options button (Panther & earlier).
Select Zero all data. (This process will map out bad blocks on your HDD. However, it could take several hours. If you want a quicker method, don't go to Security Options and just click the Erase button.)
Click OK.
Click Erase button
Quit Disk Utility.
Open installer and begin installation process.
Installation Process
Choose to Customize and deselect Foreign Language Translations and Additional Printer drivers.
Optional: Check box to install X11 (Tiger) BSD Subsystems (Panther & earlier).
Proceed with installation.
After installation computer will restart for setup.
After setup, reboot computer.
Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select First Aid in main panel.
Click Repair Disk Permissions.
Connect to Internet.
Download and install 10.3.9 Combo Update.
Computer will restart after updates.
Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select First Aid in main panel.
Click Repair Disk Permissions.
Please do post back with further questions or comments.
Good luck.
cornelius

Can I install Panther & OS 9.2.1 on a Firewire partition?

From reading other posts, it seems that Panther/Classic can be installed on a partitioned Firewire drive. Not quite sure how do do that as other posts were about different issues.
Info
There's a G3 beige tower that there is no space for, but I'd like to run some of its apps, files and games on a Firewire drive on the iMac. There are backups for all the G3 data on CDs, and on 135MB removable drives. There were 2 HDs in the G3. The HD running 9.2.1 died; the other is running OS 7.1. The machine boots from the 9.2.1 CD, but not from Panther.
Questions:
1. One can never have too much backup, so will partitioning the Firewire drive leave enough free space after Panther and Classic are installed? *see # 2
2. I assume it's better to use Panther rather than Tiger, as it's a smaller OS. The Firewire drive has 65GB capacity, with 44GB used for a Leopard 10.5.8 backup. About 20GB is available. And best to leave at least 10-20% of that space free.
3. Would an 8GB flash memory stick work to backup Panther and 9.2.1, as well as apps, files, etc.? Nothing is large on the G3--would not need about 70% of the software that was originally installed on it (printer, scanner, browsers, modem, etc.)
Is this a workable idea?
Thanks!
G

Hi G, The floods are in the north and I live in the south so everything is good here, but it seems half the world is either flooded or snowbound.
The La Nina effect in the Pacific is one explanation for the Australian deluge. Whether the extensive snow in the northern hemisphere is related, I'd be guessing.
As to your ambition, maybe find someone with a working Panther OS and clone it to an external with SuperDuper, and see if that works for you. As I've said, I have my doubts and think preserving your old hardware is perhaps the most straightforward thing to do.
If your old G3 is taking up space, maybe acquire an old laptop just for the purpose.
Every so often I fire up my iBook, so as to run an old app under Classic.

Can I install Panther on an extra internal drive to swap into another G5?

Bear with me on this long explanation...
I have a G5 that won't boot (lock on grey apple screen and then the fans blow wildly). I can't get the optical drive door to open unless it's in target disk mode with my powerbook -- where the drive door opens fine...but not when trying to boot the G5 on it's own. Unfortunately - this is preventing me from booting from the G5 Panther install discs.
I used Disk Utility while in target disk mode to verify/repair the disk and the report says the drive is fine (which I know doesn't mean it is free from corruption)...but if I then try to boot the G5 on it's own --- grey screen and I'm stuck. Seems like the G5 startup disk has died.
Also tried to boot from a FW drive with a cloned copy on it. Holding down option on restart --- I get the icon for an OSX volume (which is the FW drive)... click on the icon to select it (doesn't seem to do anything) but if I then hit the right arrow icon -- it goes back to the frozen grey screen.
OK -- here is the question:
Can I use my wife's G5 that runs Tiger to install Panther from my G5's install discs onto an extra internal drive that I can drop into the empty drive bay on the Tiger G5 --- and then install that extra internal drive (hopefully with panther now installed) into my G5 as a brand new start up disk?
If so -- are there any things that I need to do other than the procedure above?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

When installing Panther on the extra internal drive using the G5 running Tiger --- can I just insert the install discs into the Tiger G5 optical drive while it is already running and perform the install onto the extra drive
No. You have to boot from the installer disc to install any OS.
or would I need to restart the Tiger G5 with the install disc inside the optical drive and hold down c on restart to reboot from the Panther install discs and select the extra drive as the install destination?
Yes.

Problems installing Panther on G3 ibook

I recently bought panther off ebay to install on my 3 year old ibook G3 [700mhz, 640 RAM, 30g HD]. I am currently running 10.2.8 without problems.
During the installation process I got the message 'An error has occured during installation' 'Please try to reinstall' I've tried to install, in various ways, 5-7 times at this point with no luck.
I've tried upgrading, I've tried erasing the HD and installing, I've tried only installing/upgrading the necessary componets to run the system, all of which have ended in the same error message. The error occurs during the 'Preparing Base System Part 2' part of the installation process [somewhere around 4 minutes remaining].
I thought it was the discs I purchased, but I was able to install Panther on my external and boot the computer from there, so it seems the discs are good.
In my latest attempt I erased my HD and reinstalled 10.2 from my original disks, upgraded to the most current versions of everything through Software Update and tried the upgrade ... still getting the same error ...
Any suggestions of what might help?
ibook G3 Mac OS X (10.2.x) 700mhz, 640 RAM, 30g HD
ibook G3 Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Hi Again SloMocean!
Unfortunately, those CDs will not work on your iBook.
They are CDs that were designated to be shipped with a specific iBook model.
Although you have an iBook, it may not be exactly the same as the model that those CDs were intended for.
More info here Tip: Mac OS X Install CDs/Use On Multiple Macs.
You need a Full Retail Version of the Panther Install CDs, which can be purchased rather inexpensively, at some online Apple retailers, Amazon, eBay, etc.
They are no longer available directly from the "Apple Store", as "Tiger 10.4.x" is the most up to date OS.
You may find one on this eBay Search Results Page, but CAVEAT EMPTOR, as you have discovered!
If you do an expanded search on eBay, or Amazon, you will probably find more.
Once again, make sure the CDs that you purchase, look like THESE.
Once 10.3.x is installed, you can use the 10.3.9 Combo Update.
Shop Carefully, Read All Documentation, and Good Luck!
ali b

Can't re-install Panther 10.3

Hi,
My blue G4 has been acting up latel so I want to completely re-install 10.3. I am running 10.3.9 right now and when I try to install my 10.3 disks, I get the message I ccannot install Mac OS 10.3 on this volume. A newer OS is installed. I have everything that I need backed up so I want to do a complete install and erase everything. How can I do this?
Thanks.

olobay1:
I have everything that I need backed up so I want to do a complete install and erase everything. How can I do this?
Formatting, Partitioning Zeroing a Hard Disk Drive
Warning! This procedure will destroy all data on your Hard Disk Drive. Be sure you have an up-to-date, tested backup of at least your Users folder and any third party applications you do not want to re-install before attempting this procedure.
Boot from the install CD holding down the "C" key.
Select language
Go to the Utilities menu (Tiger) Installer menu (Panther & earlier) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select Partition tab in main panel. (You are about to create a single partition volume.)
Select number of partition in pull-down menu above Volume diagram.
(Note: 1 partition is normally better for an internal HDD. External HDDs usually have more than one)
Type in name in Name field (usually Macintosh HD)
Select Volume Format as Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Click Partition button at bottom of panel.
Select Erase tab
Select the a volume under Manufacturer ID (usually Macintosh HD).
Check to be sure your Volume Name and Volume Format are correct.
Select on Security Options button (Tiger) Options button (Panther & earlier).
Select Zero all data. (This process will map out bad blocks on your HDD. However, it could take several hours.)
Click OK.
Click Erase button
Quit Disk Utility after Erase.
Open installer and begin installation process.
Choose to Customize and deselect Foreign Language Translations and Additional Printer drivers.
Check box to install X11.
Proceed with installation.
After installation computer will restart for setup.
After setup, reboot computer.
Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select First Aid in main panel.
Click Repair Disk Permissions.
Connect to Internet.
Download and install 10.3.9 Combo Update
Computer will restart after updates.
Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select First Aid in main panel.
Click Repair Disk Permissions.
Please post back with further questions or comments.
Good luck.
cornelius

Upgrading from Panther 10.3.9 to Tiger 10.4.3

My brother has a 17" 1.8 IMac and wants to upgrade from Panther 10.3.9 to Tiger 10.4.3 so he can use Aperture, Apple's new software. Since I have always helped him in the past with his upadates, I prefer doing clean installs by reformatting the hard drive before doing a major upgrade like the aforementioned. Is this the preferred method or should I attempt to install over Panther without reformatting? I'm rather reluctant to go to 10.4.3 based upon the number of negative experiences reported by people who have done so, but if he wants to use Aperture, according to the system requirements needed to run it, he has to perform this update. What recommendations do any of you have for making a safe migration from 10.3.9 to 10.4.3? In other words, what is the best and safest method of updating?
G5 2.3 Mac OS X (10.4.1)

Tom,
Don't forget this forum is the hospital ward. Don't let the preponderance of bad reports make you think an update is bad. These are usually cases where people haven't taken the proper precautions while updating which should always be taken.
Mac OS X doesn't technically have a clean install option. For reasons why I say not, see this user tip:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=607614
The best method of upgrading depends on how well the machine is functioning in 10.3.9. If it has sufficient space, sufficient RAM, has not had any kernel panics, the following sequence of steps is recommended:
1. Backup your data.
2. Make sure all your hardware and software has compatible drivers for the operating system you are going to. Verify all the applications you are going to use are updated.
3. Dismount and disconnect all third party peripherals.
4. Upgrade and install to 10.4 with a retail 10.4 installer disk. Do not use a system specific disk on a different machine. Buy the box family or single user pack from an Apple software reseller.
5. Repair permissions with Applications -> Utilities -> Disk Utility
6. Run the 10.4.3 combo update:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosxupdate1043combo.html
7. repeat step 5.
Do steps 1 and 5 before and after any update as a general practice in anycase. Application installers often have a tendency to want to mess with permissions and sometimes don't put them back causing problems later on.
Now if you are having issues launching specific programs, or programs unexpectedly quitting now, or 4 language screens those need to be isolated before you update.

Panther 10.3.9 to Tiger 10.4.3 Upgrade

I have a 15" aluminum Powerbook G4 that I'm trying to upgrade to Tiger 10.4.3 from Panther 10.3.9. The installation runs thru without issues but when the system reboots all I get is a plain blue screen. I tried repairing the disk and permissions and also erase/install but to no avail. The system starts only if I safe boot. I can reinstall Panther without issues. Has anyone experienced this before?
Thanks

Final Update:
I took the powerbook to my local Apple Store and had them try to load Tiger. To make a long story short, the logic board had to be replaced. This was done at no charge even though the warranty had expired long ago. It seems strange that the logic board is fine for Panther but not for Tiger.
Anyway, my thanks to all that posted suggestions and to Apple for repairing the unit.
Miguel

Re-installing Panther

I was recently given a stripped-down G3 iBook. I tried to look at System Profiler to see what its capabilities were, only to discover that the previous owners had deleted System Profiler. Everything is gone from the apps folder - even System Preferences and Disk Utility!
Needless to say, this thing will be hard to use without reinstalling some of that stuff, but I have no disk to work with. Is there any way I can create or get hold of a Panther install disk? Failing that, is there a way to reinstall system software without reinstalling the OS?
All I know about the laptop: G3 iBook, 10 GB hard drive, 500mHz processor w/ 320mb ram, running OSX 10.3.9

If you can use that computer's System Profiler to see what the
hardware and other information says about the machine, it may
be helpful to know in advance if the computer's optical drive is
more than the base-level standard CD read-only drive. Of course
the missing link is the System Profiler; but the serial number lookup
could tell you the basic as-shipped hardware. Then use Mactracker.
Some of the earliest White iBook G3 models were limited in that
they shipped with a base model plus upper models better equipped.
You could probably identify your computer through a 'serial number
look-up' web site, and also through use of the databases of Every
Mac.com and the free download of mactracker: http://mactracker.ca
If you can find the serial number, and run that through a site such as:
http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html then that info
can narrow the field by telling you the model build date of manufacture
so giving you further info to use MacTracker and others, to their fullest.
There is a fair possibility that the iBook's internal hard disk drive would
need to be upgraded to a larger capacity and perhaps one with a larger
cache or buffer; maybe even a slightly faster spin-rate (an ATA/PATA HD.)
The question of the optical drive, being more (or less) than a Combo or
SuperDrive, brings into focus the further need to get OS X discs for the
existing optical drive version; should it be the base-model CD-ROM, & not
the more desirable Combo (CD read/write + DVD read) or higher grade.
Panther shipped on CD media, Tiger shipped on DVD media (with very
limited numbers of specially available - in their day - sets of Tiger on CD)
so this optical drive issue is second to the hard disk drive, in supporting
an OS X version. Plus, to get and install the most RAM the computer can
support is not just recommended, it's a matter of having the thing work OK.
A small processor vintage may hobble the experience, along with the lack
of system bus speeds, small/slow hard drive spin rate, lack of RAM, and
other details of an aged design; so you may find a later model better suited.
The bootable OS X install disc set best suited for the hardware status of
the computer you have, would be needed to rectify the situation where
someone did not include any discs to support the OS X they put into there;
and that is a no-no. And to be able to erase (secure erase) everything on
the hard drive and start over. The booted Disk Utility on the Installer can
perform tasks such as one-pass over-writing of the hard drive; this is the
least secure level of zeroing the hard drive (writes zeros over content.)
Ideally, you'd need at least a 40GB ATA HDD for Tiger 10.4.x; and that
would be about the oldest capable system you may find browsers and
some support for; a limited situation due to the non-upgradable parts in
the iBook series (like other portables) that can't be replaced.
The fine OEM 10GB hard disk drive was fantastic with OS 9.2.2, in it's day.
It could even do fairly OK with Panther 10.3.9 a few years ago; but slow.
My iBook G3 500MHz (may 2001) with 10GB HDD, CD-ROM, 12" LCD,
56k dialup modem, original AirPort card, 576MB RAM, & OS9.2.2~X10.3.9
did fairly well. After some repairs were made, I sold it & bought a mid-2005
iBook G4 whilst muddling through a troublesome iMac G4 AppleCare repair.
If you can more accurately determine the exact machine-build you have there,
finding the most suitable path to upgrade the unit to make it work, and also to
make it more resalable should you decide to get something newer, at least
you could make it better than you found it, and include OS install discs for the
next potential owner to start out with. Always get an OS install disc set with a
computer, and even an old Mac should have the original discs plus anything
newer it has running on the machine at the time of sale. (Per license, etc.)
Anyway, however that works out...
Good luck & happy computing!

Panther 10.3.9 to Tiger

I have just upgraded my Tiger to Snow Leopard. Is it possible to upgrade my Panther 10.3.9 to Tiger with my Tiger 10.4.9 disk. and if I can is it legal since it will be the only tiger that I am running.
The Tiger was purchased on the pro book. The Panther is a 12 inch 1.33 PowerPC G4

Discs for specific computer models can't be used in
another model of computer; and beyond that, a disc
set for an Intel-based Mac won't work in a PPC Mac.
So, it's off to find a retail full install disc for the other one.
Good luck & happy computing!

Install Panther on a G4 w/ Tiger to be installed on top of that ?eMac DVDs

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