Install tiger over leopard?

I have an iMac G5 with 2 gigs of ram and have noticed a very slow OS after installing Leopard (archive and install) over Tiger 10.4.10. I would like to just go back to Tiger and forget about Leopard, but is there a direct way to go back to Tiger without an erase and install?
I used Super Duper to create a backup before installing Leopard; and I have all the important stuff like iPhoto, iTunes, docs, etc. on a second (separate) backup.
Should I try an erase and install of Leopard, wait for OS 10.5.1, or just go back to Tiger?
Thanks for any help
Message was edited by: go_bucks!
Message was edited by: go_bucks!

Look your computer is running slow because like most people your computer did not have proper maintenance prior to to installing Leopard. A computer is like your car it needs maintenance. Now that you have already installed Leopard, it is best to what until the three maintenance programs update for Leopard They are Cocktail, TechTools Pro and DiskWarrior. You may try running the Apple Disk Utility from your Leopard start up disk. In the utility highlight your hard drive and click on the Repair Disk button. This many help you for the time being. You should always have a second backup hard drive with a Full Mac OS system installed on it. You will install the maintance software on both your main hard drive and your backup drive, When you see a problem with your computer you switch to the backup hard and run the maintenance programs on your main hard drive. I have been working on the Mac for 22 year. Good luck!

Similar Messages

How to install Tiger OVER Leopard?

Hi everyone,
So i just bought the brand spanking new Macbook Pros from the apple dealer the other day. I must say that i like it alot, but it came pre-installed with Leopard 10.5.
Now dont get me wrong, 10.5 is wonderful but i dont think i am ready for it yet because none of my programs that i use are compatible with it. As a result, i have a great computer with no programs to run.
I have decided i want to reinstall 10.4 back onto my harddrive and wipe out Leopard. I couldnt find anywhere in the apple shop that sold 10.4 (most likely because they are trying to phase it out), but i did find a copy of the Tiger installation disc that came with the PowerMac G5 (pre-intel) a few years ago.
I tried installing it, but it said "this program cannot be installed on this operating software". I basically just inserted the CD and double clicked "install" but i have a feeling the only way to get around this is to boot up the installation disc as a bootable disc, which i dont know how to do.
I have two quick questions for the seasoned veterans out there:
1) How do i install Tiger over my Leopard?
2) This is my first time using an Apple that is intel chip. Does Tiger have any complications with it?
Thanks so much guys, i really look forward to your responses.
P.

You will have to contact AppleCare to obtain the Tiger installation discs required for your model. You cannot use a retail Tiger installation DVD or one from any PPC model. They will not work.
You might check with the software developers of your software to see if Leopard compatible versions aren't already available. Otherwise you might look for similar software that is compatible.
Most PPC-only software will run on Intel Macs via Rosetta emulation automatically.
If you do obtain the proper Tiger installation discs from AppleCare and decide to install it, then you will need to do an Archive and Install:
How to Perform an Archive and Install
1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. 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 (Utilities menu for Tiger.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) 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, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger, 4.1 for Leopard) and/or TechTool Pro (4.5.2 for Tiger, 4.6.2 for Leopard) 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.
2. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

I don't have a dual-layer drive, can I install Tiger or Leopard?

Disclaimer: Apple does not necessarily endorse any suggestions, solutions, or third-party software products that may be mentioned in the topic below. Apple encourages you to first seek a solution at Apple Support. The following links are provided as is, with no guarantee of the effectiveness or reliability of the information. Apple does not guarantee that these links will be maintained or functional at any given time. Use the information below at your own discretion.
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard come on what appear to be larger than 4.7 GB discs. This does not mean you need a dual layer drive to install them. Some Macs capable of installing Tiger or Leopard came with a built-in CD-RW, or CD-ROM drive. For those a compatible Firewire DVD drive for booting Mac OS X can work instead of replacing the internal drive. Tiger also came in a limited edition Media Exchange Program CD installer package, which you may be able to find in the open market. The limitation for each is dependant on other hardware:
1. If your Mac shipped new with no Firewire, you may be able to install Tiger a special third party addon software known as XPostFacto.
2. If your Mac shipped new with less than 867 Mhz built-in processor (including dual processor 800 MHz or less), you may be able to install Leopard with a special third party addon software known as Leopard Assist.
3. If your Mac shipped with a processor upgrade card installed, and #2 is true, a firmware update may be available from the processor upgrade card vendor that allows Leopard's installation.
4. Tiger needs at least 256 MB of RAM.
Leopard needs at least 512 MB of RAM.
If you have a lot of dashboard widgets, you may need to increase RAM to improve performance on either operating system. The RAM needs to follow Apple's specs to ensure smooth operation. Only get RAM with a lifetime warranty.
5. Officially you need for Tiger:
"At least 3 GB of free disk space; 4 GB if you install the XCode 2 Developer Tools" from: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514
And officially for Leopard you need:
"9 GB of available disk space or more" from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3759
However, I would add to that if your hard drive doesn't have at least 15% of the drive free in addition to that, you may experience significant slowing down in the operating system function. This number has been arbitrarily discovered by many users.
6. When installing Tiger or Leopard, if your machine shipped with Panther (10.3) or earlier, be sure to get the retail Tiger or retail Leopard.
The Tiger installer is a san serif gray and white X with a spotlight on the center of the X on a black background.
The Leopard installer is a san serif black and gray X on a pink galaxy centered on a black background.
This is the 1st version of this tip. It was submitted on Dec 23, 2009 by a brody.
Do you want to provide feedback on this User Contributed Tip or contribute your own? If you have achieved Level 2 status, visit the User Tips Library Contributions forum for more information.

Disclaimer: Apple does not necessarily endorse any suggestions, solutions, or third-party software products that may be mentioned in the topic below. Apple encourages you to first seek a solution at Apple Support. The following links are provided as is, with no guarantee of the effectiveness or reliability of the information. Apple does not guarantee that these links will be maintained or functional at any given time. Use the information below at your own discretion.
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard come on what appear to be larger than 4.7 GB discs. This does not mean you need a dual layer drive to install them. Some Macs capable of installing Tiger or Leopard came with a built-in CD-RW, or CD-ROM drive. For those a compatible Firewire DVD drive for booting Mac OS X can work instead of replacing the internal drive. Tiger also came in a limited edition Media Exchange Program CD installer package, which you may be able to find in the open market. The limitation for each is dependant on other hardware:
1. If your Mac shipped new with no Firewire, you may be able to install Tiger a special third party addon software known as XPostFacto.
2. If your Mac shipped new with less than 867 Mhz built-in processor (including dual processor 800 MHz or less), you may be able to install Leopard with a special third party addon software known as Leopard Assist.
3. If your Mac shipped with a processor upgrade card installed, and #2 is true, a firmware update may be available from the processor upgrade card vendor that allows Leopard's installation.
4. Tiger needs at least 256 MB of RAM.
Leopard needs at least 512 MB of RAM.
If you have a lot of dashboard widgets, you may need to increase RAM to improve performance on either operating system. The RAM needs to follow Apple's specs to ensure smooth operation. Only get RAM with a lifetime warranty.
5. Officially you need for Tiger:
"At least 3 GB of free disk space; 4 GB if you install the XCode 2 Developer Tools" from: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514
And officially for Leopard you need:
"9 GB of available disk space or more" from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3759
However, I would add to that if your hard drive doesn't have at least 15% of the drive free in addition to that, you may experience significant slowing down in the operating system function. This number has been arbitrarily discovered by many users.
6. When installing Tiger or Leopard, if your machine shipped with Panther (10.3) or earlier, be sure to get the retail Tiger or retail Leopard.
The Tiger installer is a san serif gray and white X with a spotlight on the center of the X on a black background.
The Leopard installer is a san serif black and gray X on a pink galaxy centered on a black background.
This is the 1st version of this tip. It was submitted on Dec 23, 2009 by a brody.
Do you want to provide feedback on this User Contributed Tip or contribute your own? If you have achieved Level 2 status, visit the User Tips Library Contributions forum for more information.

Installing tiger over os 10.0.2 and os 9.2

i'm really confused about this because i have had several different opinions about what will happen to my existing os's when i install tiger. to make sure i've been told correctly before i screw something up. the thing is, i need to keep os 9 on my computer because all of my graphic programs work with it (illust. photoshop, etc.) if i install tiger over this, will i not be able to use os 9, or switch to it in the start up disk and reboot?
is it true that i can't use the 'upgrade' feature because it only works with os 10.2 and up? would this be the safest option for me, so should i purchase the 10.2 upgrade and install the tiger upgrade from there? if so, where can i find the 10.2 upgrade?
re: archive and install feature...would i need at least the 10.2 operating system, too? if it archives your older os, can you ever reboot in an older os? if not, can you easily access the older os 9 to use the graphics files? any known complications of reading older files created in os 9 after the install of tiger?
sorry to sound so stupid about these things, but i'm a designer and therefore technically challenged! thanks for your help!

artsenthusiast1:
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
You are correct in that Archive and Install is only available for OS X 10.2 and later.
To install Tiger your computer will need to meet the minimum system requirements for Tiger.
You will also need to purchase the Full Retail version of Tiger.
Be aware that Computer specific or upgrade versions should be avoided as they can cause problems. Besides, it may be a violation of the Software License Agreement which statesThis License allows you to install and use one copy of the Apple Software on a single computer at a time. This License does not allow the Apple Software to exist on more than one computer at a time...
This is how I would go about accomplishing what you want to do:
1. I would backup my entire HDD to an external FireWire Hard Disk Drive.
2. Then I would completely wipe the HDD and reinstall beginning with OS 9 then Tiger.
3. Then I would move back my data and third party apps from my backup.
Please post back with further questions or comments.
Good luck.
cornelius

Re: I don't have a dual-layer drive, can I install Tiger or Leopard?

"This tip is ready for consideration"

Hi a brody,
Maybe it's my training that states to focus on what we can do, but I'd suggest changing the double negatives to positives. Let me know as that does leave out the "if and only if" implication of the "can't" statements which you may want to keep.
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard come on what appear to be larger than 4.7 GB discs. This does not mean you need a dual layer drive to install them. Some Macs capable of installing Tiger or Leopard came with a built-in CD-RW, or CD-ROM drive. For those a compatible Firewire DVD drive for booting Mac OS X can work instead of replacing the internal drive. Tiger also came in a limited edition Media Exchange Program CD installer package, which you may be able to find in the open market. The limitation for each is dependant on other hardware:
1. If your Mac shipped new with no Firewire, you {color:red}may be able to{color} install Tiger {color:red}with{color} a special third party addon software known as XPostFacto.
2. If your Mac shipped new with less than 867 Mhz built-in processor (including dual processor 800 MHz or less), you {color:red}may be able to{color} install Leopard {color:red}with{color} a special third party addon software known as Leopard Assist.
3. If your Mac shipped with a processor upgrade card installed, and #2 is true, a firmware update may be available from the processor upgrade card vendor that allows Leopard's installation.
4. Tiger {color:red}needs{color} at least 256 MB of RAM.
Leopard {color:red}needs{color} at least 512 MB of RAM.
If you have a lot of dashboard widgets, you may need to increase RAM to improve performance on either operating system. The RAM needs to follow Apple's specs to ensure smooth operation. Only get RAM with a lifetime warranty.
5. Officially you need for Tiger:
"At least 3 GB of free disk space; 4 GB if you install the XCode 2 Developer Tools" from: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514
And officially for Leopard you need:
"9 GB of available disk space or more" from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3759
However, I would add to that if your hard drive doesn't have at least 15% of the drive free in addition to that, you may experience significant slowing down in the operating system function. This number has been arbitrarily discovered by many users.
6. When installing Tiger or Leopard, if your machine shipped with Panther (10.3) or earlier, be sure to get the retail Tiger or retail Leopard.
The Tiger installer is a san serif gray and white X with a spotlight on the center of the X on a black background.
The Leopard installer is a san serif black and gray X on a pink galaxy centered on a black background.
An Apple user since 1981 Mac OS X (10.6)

How to install Lion over Leopard if I already have the InstallESD.dmg file?

How can I install Lion over Leopard? I know everyone keeps saying you have to have Snow Leopard, but it seems that you only need it to actually download the file. I have the file and I've created a back-up disk and drive (using a 4gb card) and nothing worked. I don't understand why I can't install even if I have the file. The computer doesn't even recognize the disk when I press option at start up but it recoginizes it as Lion when fully logged in. I can't install using the .pkg file because it says it can't be installed on the running system. I have tried to use the drive and it gives me a EFI Boot when I press option at start up and so I click on it and It goes to the apple grey screen with the circle circling below it. But after a while, that apple turns into a No sign basically. So what else do I need to change or edit to install Lion over Leopard. The startup disk nor the drive are working.

The Lion installer is not a bootable device. You must run the installer like any other application. Since the installer will only upgrade Snow Leopard it may refuse to run. What you might try is putting a bootable Snow Leopard system onto a 16 GB USB flash drive, drag the Lion installer application into the Applications folder, boot the computer from the flash drive then run the Lion installer.
As for creating your own bootable flash drive you will need an 8 GB flash drive for that:
Make Your Own Lion Installer
1. After downloading Lion you must first save the Install Mac OS X Lion application. After Lion downloads DO NOT click on the Install button. Go to your Applications folder and make a copy of the Lion installer. Move the copy into your Downloads folder. Now you can click on the Install button. You must do this because the installer deletes itself automatically when it finishes installing Lion.
2. Get a USB flash drive that is at least 8 GBs. Prep this flash drive as follows:
Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
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.
Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
3. Locate the saved Lion installer in your Downloads folder. CTRL- or RIGHT-click on the installer and select Show Package Contents from the contextual menu. Double-click on the Contents folder to open it. Double-click on the SharedSupport folder. In this folder you will see a disc image named InstallESD.dmg.
4. Plug in your freshly prepared USB flash drive. You are going to clone the InstallESD.dmg disc image to the flash drive as follows:
Open Disk Utility.
Select the USB flash drive from the left side list.
Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
Check the box labeled Erase destination.
Select the USB flash drive volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
Drag the InstallESD.dmg disc image file into the Source entry field.
Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
When the clone is completed you have a fully bootable Lion installer that you can use without having to re-download Lion.

Installing Tiger AND Leopard

Help! My macbook pro has been acting funky.
1. It won't let me install updates because it can't find the folder "/".
2. Every time I launch word, it thinks it's the first time.
3. Front row thinks I'm not connected to the internet when I clearly am.
The guy at the genius bar suggested re-installing the OS that came with the mac (Tiger) and then my current OS (Leopard). Everything is supposedly backed up with Time Machine. If I put the original OS Tiger CD in, will everything be wiped out? I'm a little nervous about the whole thing.
Can somebody please help? Thank you!
Jolivet

The first thing I'd try is a Leopard archive and install (after repairing the folder permissions and verifying the disk with Disk Utility). That will not erase your data.
Can you explain why the genius suggested you install Tiger first?
If you can't archive and install, then the next option would be to install Leopard with an erase and install. That will definitely erase your data (it erases you hard disk), so all you have left if your Time Machine backup. When you fist start up the Mac with the new Leopard you should plug in your Time Machine backup disk and when asked, specify that you want to restore from a Time Machine backup.
Message was edited by: deh2k

Cannot install tiger over panther, help

I have an emac 800mhz and i tried to install tiger on it but it said something like "kernel panic, we are hanging here." Please help. Regards -Ben

Hi Ben, is it Black or Gray?
What is the 2z691-****-A number on it?
Tiger Requirements...
To use Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, your Macintosh needs:
    * A PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor
    * Built-in FireWire
    * At least 256 MB of RAM (I recommend 1GB minimum)
    * DVD drive (DVD-ROM), Combo (CD-RW/DVD-ROM) or SuperDrive (DVD-R) for installation
    * At least 3 GB of free disk space; 4 GB if you install the XCode 2 Developer Tools (I recommend 20GB minimum)

Best way to install Tiger over 9.1

My sister has a slot loading iMac 400 with 9.1 installed. It has the Firmware 4.1.9. The problem is she has files from Appleworks scattered about in different locations, pictures saved as attachments in Eudora & just a general mess. Ideally, I'd like to do an Erase & Install, but she'd lose to much. Is it a good or bad idea to leave 9 on there & install Tiger or is there a better way. She only has a 20GB HD. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hello Joe,
Thanks for the reply.
1) Should I upgrade to the latest 9.2.2 first
Yes I would I have found that 9.2.2 is a more stable environment
2) She has a retail Tiger DVD,
I installed Jag by simply inserting the disc and do a basic install. The computer will create a new OS system right on the HD. The great thing is she will then be able to select if she wants to boot into 9 or X. This will allow her to use the computer as if there were no changes but she will also be able to boot to X. Once she boots into X she can get used to using the new OS. When she is in X if she tries to open an existing file that was created in 9, the machine goes into a "classic mode" and will allow her to work on the file. It is as if she is using 9 and X and the same time.
I must admit that I often boot into 9 and run the computer as it was. We must realize that sooner or later most people will have to use X. I find that certain web-sites won't support 9 any more. So to me having both systems is the best of both worlds.
Just insert the DVD and follow the prompts. It is really easy.
Another hint. Take A screen shot of your TCP/IP and /or Internet settings. I find that having these numbers and info will help when you set up X for the internet. If unsure how to do this....use the following 3 keys
"shift apple 3 " or shift apple 4. This will take a picture of the settings. As you probably know...the settings I am talking about are found under the apple. Go under the apple to control panels...then to internet and/or....internet.
This will help you when you set up for the new OS.
Any other questions...post back.......Go for it....She'll like it. Eventually she can upgrade the computer if needed......Take Care......mGb.......Jim

Install Tiger over Firewire?

My friend's iBook has just fried itself. He can't reinstall Mac OS X Tiger either. He gets a blank blue screen with a cursor when he starts up the iBook normally and when he puts in the Install discs.
I was thinking if its possible for him to connect his iBook to mine through Firewire and possibly if I could retrieve his files and do a reinstall of Tiger for him through Firewire?
Is this viable?

Providing your friend's hard drive is not damaged this will be possible.
With both machines off connect a 6-pin firewire cable between the two machines.
Start your machine as normal and allow it to complete booting.
Hold down the T key on the second machine and power it on - you should now see moving FireWire symbols on the display and the hard drive should mount on your machine.
Copy any files you want from the second machine to yours, put the X installer disk in your machine and follow the on screen prompts.
Make sure you select the second Mac's hard drive for installation - it will default to yours. You could archive or erase and install but you should be able to clear the fault simply by installing over the top.
Note that if your installer disk has an older version of Tiger than the installed one you will have to erase or archive the original system.
Good luck!

Tiger over Leopard?

Hello,
If I get a new iMac today with Leopard installed can I easily re-install my Tiger 10.4.6 disk onto it?
I've been reading too many nightmare tales about 10.5.
Kinda wishing I'd got new iMac last week, and the step-up-to-date 10.5 disk afterwards, but I've been put off by the issues connected to the 24in iMac.
If I commit, is it likely that a department store will have Tiger iMacs still?
Thanks in advance - and apologies if this sounds obvious.

Robert Mills! wrote:
... If I commit, is it likely that a department store will have Tiger iMacs still?
I just bought my mac the other day from CompUSA. It did come with Tiger Installed, but much to my surprise, it came with the Leopard upgrade in the box. So, you might be ok.

Can't install Tiger from Leopard

Hi everybody,
I'm running Leopard on my flat panel iMac but I'd like to move down to Tiger.
The iMac recognizes the install disc but nothing happens when I double-click the installer (the iMac just boots to Leopard).
I've also tried holding down the "c" key as I restart but I get a question mark.
Finally, I tried setting startup disc to the Tiger install CD but it just boots to Leopard.
Any help would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
Mike

That is unfortunate, with the G4 Cube.
Did you try the Option key at startup, to get Startup Manager?
If you can't get it startup from that retail Tiger DVD, you could try to do an installation onto the that iMac G4's hard drive, using another supported PowerPC Mac to run the installation. I see you have an iMac G5 in your profile. It needs to be a PowerPC Mac, because there are separate PowerPC and Intel builds for Tiger. This method involves using FireWire Target Disk Mode.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
If you have that other Mac and want more details, please post back.

Tips for Installing Tiger over OSX 10.3.9

I've been using OSX 10.3 since I bought my G4 a couple of years back. I recently purchased the Tiger upgrade CD and I'm ready to update my OS except this is the first time I've done a full upgrade since switching to OSX. Does anyone have any good tips or suggestions before I make the upgrade?
1) Will upgrading to Tiger cause any problems with my existing iLife applications (iPhoto, etc) that came with my computer? Will they still run in Tiger of will I need to repurchase them?
2) What is the recommended install? Is doing an archive and install safe?
3) Any other potential pitfalls I should look out for?
Thanks.
Mac G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Hi Todd,
in addition to Kappy's link to 10.4 Tiger Upgrade: Decision tree+Checklist, make sure you buy the retail full install DVD. In order to upgrade from 10.2.x to 10.4.x I suggest you use the Archive&Install option.
Once you sucessfully upgraded, Repair permissions and then download and apply the Mac OS X Update 10.4.7 Combo PPC.
Good luck!

Can I install Tiger as a boot disk on external drive

I upgraded to Leopard 2 months ago and everything works well except a program called Avid Express Pro. Avid suggests I go back to Tiger, but I like many of the features in Leopard. I'm using a Macbook pro with an intel processor. Is it possible to install Tiger on an external drive and boot from that drive when I want to use Avid, then restart on the internal drive for normal operation? I've tried installing Tiger on an external drive I have, but the installer won't let me select the external. Any help would be appreciated.

Your Intel MacBookPro can install Tiger or Leopard to any external drive that has been formatted with a GUID partition. It can be USB or Firewire. I'm using a miniStack v3 500gb FW800 drive for my MBP. When it arrived from OWC it was APM and Leopard or Tiger would refuse to Install to it. Disk Utility fixed this by repartioning the drive and choosing the GUID option and HFS+.
The GUID partition scheme is probably the problem. Most external drives come formated for DOS (Fat32) or the APM (Apple Partition Map). The Intel macs require GUID for Installing and Updating, but work fine with the APM drives for files.
You Intel Mac can boot from an APM drive, but not install to it. You can use SuperDuper to clone a bootable copy of your OS from your internal GUID drive to an external APM drive and the machine will boot from it, it just can't be updated.
Use Disk Utility to check the Partition Map Scheme on your external drives before you try to use one to install to.

Should I upgrade from Panther to Tiger or Leopard?

Many are considering upgrading their existing Mac to 10.4 (Tiger) or Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard) because of iPhone or iPod compatibility, or other software compatibility. This makes sense, but you have to realize there are both pluses or downsides to doing this.
If you have an application that is only Tiger or Leopard compatible, it makes sense to upgrade.
Unless you are able to completely migrate away from Classic, it doesn't make sense to upgrade to Leopard. Leopard no longer offers Classic support. Though a Firewire external hard drive with Tiger on it on a PowerPC Mac, or on a separate partition (which requires erasing your hard drive), will allow you to maintain Classic. Booting into Mac OS 9 if it was possible with Panther, is still possible with Tiger and Leopard on the same machine. Erase and installing Tiger or Leopard will not preserve the Mac OS 9 system folder needed to use Classic. That will either have to come from your backup, or your original Mac OS 9 installer discs which installed 9 on your Mac. Mid 2002 through late 2005 Macs used a restore utility to restore Mac OS 9 system folders from those original discs. Macs which shipped with 9.2.1 and 9.2.2 can't use the 9.2.1 retail disc to install Mac OS 9, and must use the disc that came with them to install 9 or Classic.
Upgrading to 10.4 and 10.5 introduces a new find file system called Spotlight.
It is much weaker than 10.3.9 for locating files quickly by name. Though if you find files mainly by content, then it is better to have Spotlight. See this thread on how difficult it is to work with Spotlight based systems. Launchbar offers limited Spotlight like features without losing the 10.3.9 and earlier Find File systems on 10.3.9 and earlier.
If Dashboard Widgets are your reason to install 10.4 or 10.5, consider the third party utility Amnesty

Many are considering upgrading their existing Mac to 10.4 (Tiger) or Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard) because of iPhone or iPod compatibility, or other software compatibility. This makes sense, but you have to realize there are both pluses or downsides to doing this.
If you have an application that is only Tiger or Leopard compatible, it makes sense to upgrade.
Unless you are able to completely migrate away from Classic, it doesn't make sense to upgrade to Leopard. Leopard no longer offers Classic support. Though a Firewire external hard drive with Tiger on it on a PowerPC Mac, or on a separate partition (which requires erasing your hard drive), will allow you to maintain Classic. Booting into Mac OS 9 if it was possible with Panther, is still possible with Tiger and Leopard on the same machine. Erase and installing Tiger or Leopard will not preserve the Mac OS 9 system folder needed to use Classic. That will either have to come from your backup, or your original Mac OS 9 installer discs which installed 9 on your Mac. Mid 2002 through late 2005 Macs used a restore utility to restore Mac OS 9 system folders from those original discs. Macs which shipped with 9.2.1 and 9.2.2 can't use the 9.2.1 retail disc to install Mac OS 9, and must use the disc that came with them to install 9 or Classic.
Upgrading to 10.4 and 10.5 introduces a new find file system called Spotlight.
Spotlight does improve with Leopard. There are some of the new features of Spotlight on Macworld and Wikipedia. It is however, much weaker than 10.3.9 for locating files quickly by name. Though if you find files mainly by content, then it is better to have Spotlight. See this thread on how difficult it is to work with Spotlight based systems. Launchbar offers limited Spotlight like features without losing the 10.3.9 and earlier Find File systems on 10.3.9 and earlier.
If Dashboard Widgets are your reason to install 10.4 or 10.5, consider the third party utility Amnesty
Message was edited by: a brody

Install tiger over leopard?

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