Installing Leopard without install disc?

Hello,
I have a very old imac, (G4,1.25GHz,768MB) running 10.5.8 Leopard.
I've been given a newer, but still old imac with better specs (G5, 2GHz,1.5GB) running 10.4.11 Tiger.
Is there a way to get the os x Leopard to the other imac without the install disc?
Thanks.

How to use FireWire target disk mode...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_Disk_Mode
Put the G5 in T mode, use Carbon Copy Cloner or such to clone the G4's drive to the G5.

Similar Messages

I have a very old mac and need to upgrade to snow leopard to update my itunes, my disc drive is not working can i download snow leopard without a disc?

I have an old mac version 10.5.8 I need to update to snow leopard and my disc drive isn't working... Can I download snow leopard without a disc?

Snow Leopard is only available on disk. Furthermore, even if you had a working disk drive, you may not be able to install Snow Leopard anyway, depending on just how "old" your Mac is. It must have an Intel processor to run Snow Leopard (Macs with Intel processors were first made in 2006), among other requirements.

How do I reinstall Snow Leopard without the discs?

I need to change my hard drive and reinstall Mac OS X. I can't install Lion obviously because I first need a platform. I got my MacBook from a relative, but she sent it to me with MacBook Pro installation discs. I tried using them, but every time it says, "Mac OS X can't be installed on this computer," which I don't know why that'd be. Since I don't have the necessary installation discs, how do I reinstall the OS?

FIrst, you may want to back up your system to an external HD, then restore it when the disk is replaced. If you use the Restore tab of Disk Utility (see #7 in Using Disk Utility), or the 3rd-party CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper apps, you can start up from the "clone" and restore back to the new disk.
If you use Time Machine for backups, you'll need a Snow Leopard disc to restore them.
But you will probably need a Snow Leopard disc that will boot your Mac sooner or later anyway.
Note that the retail disc only has the default Apple apps; no iLife or iWork apps.
If the Mac came with Snow Leopard, call AppleCare. They'll send a duplicate set of the original discs (including iLife) for a nominal fee.
If the Mac came with Leopard, and iLife wasn't upgraded, get the original Leopard disks (with iLife) and a retail Snow Leopard disc.

How to reinstall snow leopard without install disc

Hi guys,
I recently took my computer in to an authorised repairer (MyMac Flinders St., Melbourne Australia) to get my LCD screen replaced under warranty, as it had developed a yellow line running down the right hand side of the screen. Whilst it was in the shop I decided to have a new 1TB hard drive put in, and get the OS updated to Snow Leopard (they loaded it up, I did not get install disc). Since then, I have had massive problems with my computer. The computer sometimes would not turn on, turn off, or simply freeze. I took the computer back in and was told it was a software issue, so they did a format reinstall, and told me the problem was fixed. Within hours of getting the computer home, the same problem occurred. I took it back, was told the same thing, and with the same end result (computer not working). I then took it into the Apple store in Chadstone Melbourne, and was told it was the hard drive that was at fault, and not the software at all. I then tried to get the hard drive replaced through MyMac Flinders St., as I now thought it might be the hard drive that was the problem, and with great reluctance and many minutes on the phone they finally agreed. I had big problems getting this agreed to, because my computer was now out of warranty. So, I guess this is a two part question:
1. I've got the computer back now, with the new hard drive, and it seemed to be working fine, but i've since discovered my phone was not syncing up correctly, and was told by Apple support to check my iSync.. to which I was greeted with the error message "iSync can't be launched iSync Manager not available" to which Apple support gave me a step by step instruction download to fix:
In the Finder, choose Utilities from the Go menu.
Open Terminal.
In the Terminal window that opens, type or paste the following command on a single line:
/System/Library/Frameworks/SyncServices.framework/Versions/A/Resources/resetsync .pl full
Press Return.
When the operation is complete quit Terminal
The only problem being.. the Apple Terminal was missing. The program logo was there, but unable to launch. I figure my best bet will be to do a reinstall of Snow Leopard, but I am unsure of how to do this without the physical install disc. I have a backup on an external hard drive.
2. With my computer being now out of AppleCare warranty, I would like to know my options if this problem is unfixable, as my computer was fine before I took it into the authorised repairer, and also in warranty. I don't think I should wear the financial costs of replacing this computer.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Steve

I assumed it was normal to load up an OS without giving the disk..
Absolutely not.
Are you 100% sure they have acted outside the law here?
If you are absolutely sure that they didn't give you a disk, then yes, what they have done is essentially software piracy. Of course, it could simply be construed as a mistake. It is not unusual, however careless it might be, for repair folks to assume you were running SL when they reinstall your system.
However, if you specifically asked them to upgrade you to SL, as it sounds like you did, and they charged you a fee for that upgrade but didn't give you a disk, then that's theft pure and simple.
Oh, and that link you sent for AHT.. It's telling me I'd have to have the install disk to run the hardware test. Is there a way to do it without the disk?
It requires one of the gray disks that shipped with your machine, not the retail SL disk that you don't have. If you have misplaced those disks, then you're a bit hosed... Apple will replace the gray disks for a small fee, and that's the only way you're going to get AHT.
Newer machines apparently have a small hidden partition with the AHT boot system on it, but if your machine didn't ship with SL, I don't think it'll be one of those.

HT3678 How to get Quicktime without a Snow Leopard Install Disc?

I purchased Snow Leopard through apple as a download. So I never received a disk. And I deleted Quicktime because it would not play audio. I thought I could just fresh reinstall it and it might fix the problem. Where can I download it without the disc? I have scoured the forums, changed Text files to qtz (but since I do not have quicktime on my machine anymore I can't ask Apple to download it for me)... Any ideas? Thanks!

Worth checking which version you deleted (deleting QT is never a good idea as it is an integral part of the operating system).
Mac OS X 10.6 includes QuickTime versions 10.0 and 7.6.3. The QuickTime 7 player will only be present if a QuickTime Pro key was present at the time of installation, or if specified as part of a custom install, or individually downloaded:
http://support.apple.com/kb/dl923
Snow Leopard update 10.6.4 included an update to 7.6.6 (if installed). You can install it from the above link even though it says for 10.6.3. It's the same version of QuickTime Player 7.6.6.
(Only QuickTime Player 7.6.3 or 7.6.6 can be updated to "Pro".)
A Mac OS X v10.6, OS X Lion, and OS X Mountain Lion-compatible version of QuickTime Player 7 is available for use with older media or with AppleScript-based workflows. QuickTime Player 7 can be used to playback formats such as QTVR, interactive QuickTime Movies, and MIDI files. Also, it supports QuickTime 7 Pro registration codes for access to QuickTime Pro functionality.
How to install Quicktime Player 7 on Snow Leopard, Lion and Mountain Lion when it is not already present:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3678?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

How to install Lion OSX on new SSD without install disc

TL;DR
I need a way to install Lion on a new SSD without an install disc, and how to format it without a Mac.
Hello, just yesterday I opened up my MBP 13" Mid-2010 running 10.7.(4/5) (Not sure which it is, but I think it is 10.7.5) and the first thing I saw was Skype tring to sign in. It looked fine, untill I took a second look and I heard a strange clicking noise coming from my computer. The Sykpe signin page said "Disc I/O error" or something like that. I instantly knew there was something wrong with my hard drive. Tried rebooting, grey screen, strange clicking noise like most people with hard drive failure. I was devistated. It has worked minutes ago, then my brother gets off, I open it up,and the hard drive has failed. After I got over the initial shock, I googled "hard drive replacement" after searching for a while, I noticed most sites just showed how to UPGRADE your hard drive, cloning it and all. Well, heres my main problem. I had no time to clone. Luckily, I had started backup up a month ago, and all my data is safe on my external hard drive, but this is only a time machine backup. No OS. Now, most people can just put in their install disk and voila! But, I, sadly, do not have my install disk. No idea where it went, I just don't have it. So, I was wondering if there was any possible way to make a bootable USB or disk without having acsess to a Mac, or having to buy a disc. I bought Lion, and I'm hoping that there is a way to download this and put it on a USB, then boot my computer from it. Now, my second problem is formatting. I have no idea how to format my SSD, let alone without a Mac. If there is some way to format an SSD so that it will work with a MacBook Pro, that would be great.on a PC
IMPORTANT: No, I don't have ANY install discs, the only one I had, for Snow Leopard, is gone. And no, I don't have access to ANY Macs to format the SSD. Finally, I would really love to be able to do this all cost-free, as I have already purchased the Lion, and dont feel like buying a disc for it again.

Yes. See below:
Drive Erase for Lion/Mountain Lion
1. Wait until the Main Menu appears. This could take quite some time because you are doing all of this over an Internet connection. You should use Ethernet if possible. It's much faster than wireless. Select Disk Utility from the Main Menu and click on the Continue button.
2. After DU loads select the SSD main entry (mfgr.'s ID and size.) Click on the Partition tab in DU's main window. Select One partition from the dropdown menu under Partition Scheme.
3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
After the above has completed quit DU and return to the Main Menu. Click on the Install/Reinstall OS X option then click on the Continue button.
You should be all set if there are no glitches.

How to restore from Time Machine WITHOUT install discs using a second Mac

It's a question that is asked repeatedly all over the web by Mac users like me that bought in to Time Machine (TM) on the assumption that if their computer died one day it would be a piece of cake to restore from it, only for that day to come and then to be told "ahh, okay the first thing is to get your computers install discs..." (loud crashing sound of world falling around ears).
I've never been able to afford a new Mac and both of my machines were bought second-hand. Neither came with Leopard (both have Tiger and have been upgraded to Leopard via the net). This was never supposed to be a problem as I've been backing up with TM. However it appears that Tiger discs are as much use as an inflatable dart board when it comes to using TM. So I've been faced with the possibility of having to spend £130 (about two hundred Pres Sheets, Yankees) on the Leopard install discs just so that I can have the option of restoring from TM. Bonkers.
However after much nashing of teeth, a very long weekend learning all sorts of things about 'Target Mode', 'Single User Mode', 'Verbose Mode', 'Open Source 9' etc the following solution has worked without the need to go out and buy those over-priced discs...
What you will need:
1 broken Mac requiring restoration
1 second donor Mac running Leopard (or Snow Leopard so long as the broken Mac can run it)
1 firewire cable with the correct fitting at either end to attach both Macs together
1 Time Machine backup
Note: The following is for when you have given up trying to boot from your hard drive. In my case I couldn't boot in to Safe Mode etc. so was forced to format my drive and re-import everything. If you've read this far I'm assuming your at the same point as well and have tried everything else that's out there first.
Also - both my Macs are Power PC's so can't run Snow Leopard, so I can't say 100% this will work with SL (Intel) machines. From what I've read Snow Leopard will work with this procedure too, but if you've found differently please feel free to add your experiences below...
STEP ONE: Format the corrupt Hard Drive or replace with a fresh HDD
*Link the two computers with a firewire.
*If you're replacing your HDD, remove your corrupted hard drive from the 'broken' machine and insert a new one.
*Power up the broken Mac whilst holding down the 'T' key. This will start it up in Target Mode and you'll get a nice firewire symbol floating around that machine's screen.
*Power up the second 'healthy' Mac. This will be our 'donor' machine. When it starts up after a few seconds you will see the hard drive of the broken Mac appear on the donor Mac's desktop.
*Using your donor Mac's 'Disc Utility', format the broken Mac's hard drive (now's the time to partition it etc. if you want to).
STEP TWO: Clone your donor Mac
Your broken Mac is no longer broken and now needs a new OS. But you don't have the discs, right? Well get this... you can clone your donor mac on to your machine, even if they are totally different i.e. a laptop on to a tower.
*Again using Disc Utility, click on your donor Mac's hard drive. The restore tab appears as an option.
*Click on restore and drag the donor Mac's hard drive that contains the operating system in to the Source box.
*Drag the newly formatted hard drive on the broken Mac in to the Destination box.
*Click restore. Your donor Mac's hard drive will now be 'cloned' on to your no-longer-broken Mac. Once this is done, eject the first Mac's hard drive from your donor Mac's desktop. You no longer need the donor Mac.
Ta daa! Your machine now starts up happy and smily again. Time to restore all that stuff that's been sat on your Time Machine drive...
STEP 3: Restore from Time Machine using Migration Assistant
This is the really clever part that prompted me to write this piece in the first place. Time Machine IS accessible without those Leopard install discs you don't have. You need to use something called 'Migration Assistant'.
*Start up your machine as normal and you'll see it is an exact clone of the donor machine. Weird huh?
*Attach your Time Machine hard drive. It will show up as an icon on the desktop and because of it's size, you'll be asked if you want to use it as a Time Machine backup. Err, NO YOU DON'T! Click 'cancel'.
*Open Migration Assistant (if you can't find it just type it in to Finder and click). There are three options, the middle one being to restore from TM or another disc. Yup, you want that one.
*Migration Assistant will now ask you what you want to restore in stages, firstly User Accounts, then folders, Apps etc. It will even import internet settings
And that's you done. Let Migration Assistant do it's thang... altogether I had about 140gb to restore, so it wasn't exactly speedy. This wasn't helped by the fact that my TM hard drive is connected via USB (yes, I know). Just leave it alone and it'll whirr happily away...
Before I go - you don't have an option of when to restore from, and will restore from the last Time Machine save. At least then you should be able to access TM and go 'backwards' if you need to.
Also - for a Mac expert, the above will be up there with 'Spot Goes To The Farm' in terms of complexity. However, for the rest of us the above is only available in fragments all over the net. By far the most common response to 'how do I restore from Time Machine without install discs' is 'you can't'. If I'd found the above information in one place I could have saved a lot of hair pulling and swearing over the last couple of days, so forgive me for sharing this workaround with the rest of the world. Meanwhile your expertise will come in very handy for the inevitable questions that will get posted below, so please feel free to help those people that won't be sure if this solution is the right one for them. I'm no expert, I just want to help people that were stuck in the same situation (and looking at the web, there's a LOT of them).
Hope this is of use to someone, thanks and *good luck*!

Most maintenance and repair, restore and install procedures require the use
of the correct OS X install DVD; be it an original machine-specific restore/install
disc set or a later retail non-specific general install disc set.
By having an unsupported system, perhaps installed via an illegal download or
other file-sharing scheme, where no retail official discs are involved and the
initial upgrade was done by other means outside of the License Agreements,
you are asking us to discuss a matter of illegal installation and use of a product.
There are no legal complete OS X system download upgrades online; only bits
that are update segments to a retail or as-shipped machine's original OS X install.
+{Or an installation where a previous owner had correct retail upgrade discs, &+
+chose to not include them with the re-sale of the computer it was installed in.}+
However, to answer the initial question. To get and use an externally enclosed
hard drive in suitable boot-capable housing, and get a free-running Clone
Utility (download online; often a donation-ware product, runs free) you can
make a bootable backup of everything in your computer to an external HDD.
This is the way to make a complete backup to restore all functions to the computer.
The Time Machine has some limits, in that it can restore only that which it saves.
It does not make a bootable clone of your entire computer system with apps and
your files, to an external drive device. A clone can. And some of the clone utility's
settings can also backup changes to an external drive's system; if that other drive
is attached to the computer correctly.
Carbon Copy Cloner, from Bombich Software; and also SuperDuper, another of
the most known software names you can download and use to clone boot-capable
system backups of your computer's hard disk drive contents, are often cited.
However you resolve the matter of the running OS X system in your computer,
derived from what appears to be questionable means, is part of the initial issue.
Since you do need to be able to fix an existing installation by unmounting the
computer's hard disk drive and run the computer from the other (install disc or
system clone) while it is Unmounted; and use the correct Disk Utility version to
help diagnose and perhaps be able to fix it. You can't use a Tiger version Disk
Utility to fix a Leopard installation, and so on.
So, the situation and replies as far as they can go (since the matter does
constitute an illegal system, if it was arrived at without correct discs) is a
limited one. And file sharing of copied Mac OS X (and other) software is
also considered illegal.
And, one way to get odd malware and unusual stuff, is to get an unauthorized
system upgrade from an illegal source online. You never know what's inside it.
The other reply was not a personal attack; the matter is of legal status and as
you have a product with a questionable system, the answer is to correct it.
And if you want to save everything in your computer, make a clone to a suitable
externally enclosed self-powered boot capable hard disk drive. With older PPC
Macs, that would best be to one with FireWire and the Oxford-type control chips.
However that works out...
Good luck & happy computing!

Wipe and install OSX Leopard without the disk

Hi everyone,
I need to wipe my iMac and reinstall OS X Leopard. I have the install disks, but my CD drive doesn't work and can't read the disk.
Is there a way for me to wipe and install OSX Leopard without the disk?
Thanks.

You can turn the 2011 iMac into a Firewire Optical drive.
Put the Leo Install Disc into the 2011 iMac, boot the 2011 iMac while holding t key to put it into FW Target Disk Mode, with a FW cable connect the the 2, boot older one holding Alt key, choose the Leo Install Disc to boot from.

Can I restore my iMac hard drive to factory settings without the install disc?

I have an older iMac running iOS X 10.5.8. with a 2GHZ processor. 1GB DDR SDRAM with a Power PC G5 chip
We want to restore the hard drive to original factory settings but don't have the OS X install disc. I have been searching online to find a disc, and can purchase one, but I want to know if I can do this without the install disc? We want to do this so I can give this computer to my nephew. I have already backed up all data.
Currently I have gotten as far as clicking on the "ERASE" tab in the disk utility, but the "Security Options" and "Erase" buttons are greyed out (cannot click on them). According to the Disk Utility help, the buttons are greyed out because I must start up using another disc, such as the Mac OS X install disc.
In addition, I DO have the Mac OS X install for my 13" MacBook Pro. Can I use this disc for the iMac?
Bottom line, I want to know if there is a work-around without having to purchase another start-up disk.
Thanks for your help.

We want to restore the hard drive to original factory settings but don't have the OS X install disc.
Why? Erase everything that isn't yours. Create a new id. Delete old id. Secure erase empty space on hd.
Once done, make a backup of the hd since the hd will fail eventually/soon.
Restore Tiger 10.4 & Leopard 10.5 DVDs may be available from Apple by calling 1(800) 275-2273. Have your serial number ready. Have your credit card ready too. There may be a small fee.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4720126?tstart=0 -- January 20,2013
https://discussions.apple.com/message/24588313#24588313 -- January 22,2014

Missing install disc (Snow Leopard) for OS X upgrade

Hi, I am going to upgrade to Mountain Lion OS X from Snow Leopard 10.6.8 when it releases, however, I DO NOT have the original SL Install Disc.
I read that there are certain steps that one needs to take to prepare a computer for this upgrade so that it goes smoothly. One of the things on the list is to do a hard drive verification for errors. I can do this in Utilities but it prompts me for the Install Disc in order to repair. It shows two minor errors (Invalid Volume File Count, Invalid Volume Directory Count) that need to be addressed and repaired but I can not continue without the Install Disc. Any suggestions?
Also, a friend has the same SL version install disc. Can I use his or do I need the ORIGINAL one that was originally installed with my iMac? I don't know if the MODEL INDENTIFIER, BOOT ROM VERSION and SMC VERSION will be affected since they are two different machines. Please help!
I can always contact Apple but was trying to avoid any additional costs of replacing the disc since I plan on purchasing a disc for the upgrade to Mountain Lion.
FYI, my iMac runs flawlessly right now and is loaded with software. I am so afraid I will have issues with software if I use another disc and I don't want to go through reinstalling all my software programs. It is a lot. I am hoping it will be okay but I wanted to ask anyone on here first.
Can anyone advise?

Firstly, order the Snow Leopard DVD from Apple's Online Store even if you don't currently need it. Download and save the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 updater in your Downloads folder.
Secondly, you can use your friend's Snow Leopard DVD to do disk and permissions repairs, but not to install OS X on your machine.
Thirdly, follow these instructions:
How to Install Mountain Lion Successfully - You must have Snow Leopard 10.6.7 or 10.6.8 Installed
A. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions:
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. Then select Disk Utility from the Utilities. 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 click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.3.) if DW cannot fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall Snow Leopard.
B. Make a Bootable Backup Using Restore Option of Disk Utility:
Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
Select the destination volume from the left side list.
Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
Check the box labeled Erase destination.
Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
Destination means the backup volume. Source means the internal startup volume.
C. Important: Please read before installing:
If you have a FireWire hard drive connected, disconnect it before installing the update unless you will boot from this drive and install the update on it. Reconnect it and turn it back on after installation is complete and you've restarted.
You may experience unexpected results if you have installed third-party system software modifications, or if you have modified the operating system through other means. (This does not apply to normal application software installation.)
The installation process should not be interrupted. If a power outage or other interruption occurs during installation, use the standalone installer (see below) from Apple Downloads to update. While the installation is in progress do not use the computer.
D. To upgrade to Mountain Lion:
Purchase the Mountain Lion Installer from the Mac App Store. The download will start quickly. Mountain Lion is around 4 GBs so a fast internet connection is essential. Download time could run upwards of 4 hours depending upon network conditions and server demands at the time.
The installer will start automatically after the download is complete. You should save a copy in your Downloads folder because the installer will delete itself automatically after the installation is complete.
Follow instructions for installation.

MB Pro, with Tiger, which has since upgraded to Leopard - Install Discs?

My MacBook Pro had originally been installed with Tiger. I have since upgraded to Leopard.
Should I need to boot from my install discs, which install disc do I use? Will my Tiger install discs work with Leopard, or should I use my Leopard disc (retail version)?
Thank you!

{quote:title=Kappy wrote:}
Actually you would be better to install Leopard directly. You can reinstall pre-bundled software separately without installing Tiger. An Erase and Install of Leopard would be preferable to installing Tiger then upgrading to Leopard. Less chance of a problem.
Hi Kappy,
Some, at least, of the late 2007 MBP C2D 2.2 and 2.4 GHz MBPs (mine included) actually came with Tiger Installed, but with a "drop in" copy of Leopard enclosed in the box. From memory the version of Leopard included will only install if the original software is in place. (I'm not 100% certain of this, but I'll check) Not sure what Trisha's situation is, of course, but worth bearing in mind as a possible issue.
Cheers
Rod

Mac OS X Leopard install disc -- optional developer installs -- help please

Hello. I have a question that I've been looking to have answered for a long time. Within the install disc for Leopard, there is a folder called Developer or something like that, and inside it are the installation packages for Xcode Tools, Web Objects, and Dashcode. I have installed these three packages on my computer (I am a computer programmer -- I have very little experience with Mac programming, but I want to get started with learning). Anyways, in addition to these three installation packages, there is a folder called Packages, and inside this folder are about twenty installation packages, with names like X11, WebObjectsDocumentation, gcc, java, and SDKs and earlier versions of Mac OS X and that kind of thing. My question is -- what are these? Are they separate from the things that the Xcode Tools package installs, or are they all included in that package? If I'm going to be developing on the Mac, are these things I am going to need? Any info in regard to this will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

My question is -- what are these?
They are sub-packages. The main XCode installer will install all the components by invoking the individual installers. The packages are separated in case you want to install the individual components (e.g. just install X11 without all the other parts).
As to whether you need them, that's only something you can answer based on what you're trying to do.
There's no harm in installing them even if you don't intend/expect to use them, other than eating a little disk space.

Leopard Install Disc Won't Mount on PowerMac G4

I'm having problems installing Leopard and am looking for advice. My internal DVD reader won't mount the installation disc - this has been a long-standing issue with my DVD drive: it can read some DVDs but not others. This is only the second time I've had trouble reading an actual Apple-manufactured DVD, though. (The first time, it was iLife - I eventually got around the problem by using a third-party DVD drive to install iLife, and that worked fine.) This time, though, while trying to install Leopard from the external DVD drive, the installation failed halfway through. This happened twice in a row, and I had to go back to my original system discs that came with the computer and reinstall the original system (10.2) in order to get my computer working again.
Now, I have two questions that arise from this. One, is this DVD-reading problem on my internal drive something that can be fixed with a Firmware update or something? I've searched without success. Or does the drive have to be replaced completely?
Second, is the problem with trying to install from the external DVD drive likely to be an issue with the Leopard install disc being a dual layer disc (if it is - I have no idea), and maybe the reason it fails halfway through is because my external DVD drive is only able to read one layer of the DVD? Or am I completely barking up the wrong tree with this one? Is it just a bad idea to try and install from an external DVD drive, full stop?
Colour me baffled! Any advice gratefully received.

I do not know for sure, but as the Leopard install DVD has a capacity of over 7GB it may well be a dual-layer DVD.
Assuming your G4 PowerMac otherwise meets the minimum requirements for Leopard (867 MHz or faster, 512 MB memory, 9GB free space on hard drive, etc.) it is possible there is a flaw in the DVD. When you attempted to install did the installer successfully verify the DVD? You could try using Disk Utility to verify the DVD.
You might consider a new internal DVD drive. I had to replace the optical drive in my G5 when it failed. They are quite reasonably priced here: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/optical-drives/superdrives/powermac/
Do you have an external FireWire hard drive? Did you attempt to install Leopard on that drive?

How to restore new, clean OS without Install Disc ?

I have bought MacBook Air 2nd hand. How to restore new, clean OS without Install Disc ?

You can purchase the Snow Leopard DVD at the Apple Store. It ships as 10.6.3 so you'll need to do a software update to get to 10.6.8.

Restore without install disc?

Hi so I'm wondering if there is a way to wipe my macbook clean and put it back to factory settings without an operation system install disc? I'm trying to make it run smoother and clean out the memory. I only have snow leopard on my computer and it never came with an installation disc, the snow leopard set up was an automatic set up procedure when I got the computer so i didn't have to insert any disc. Where ever I look you need the installation disk if you want to restore you computer for earlier mac versions. (i have version 10.6.8). My mothers computer didn't come with one either as it was also an automatic set up. WHAT DO I DO?! I don't have the money for an installation disc
Also.....there is not enough memory on my computer to install Mavericks to avoid needing installation discs.

In order to restore, repair, replace, reformat, and reassign ownership in
certain vintage machines, and also after upgrading past the DVD install
era, these machines require the Snow Leopard OS X 10.6 retail install
disc -- unless they shipped with a machine series specific gray label one.
In which case, a replacement of the correct gray label install-restore
disc would need to be purchased (or perhaps a retail one, depending on
vintage of the computer in question, and what it shipped with) from Apple
and the use of the computer Serial Number is a necessary identifier to
help you communicate the model build year to the Apple people when
the correct replacement or latest Snow Leopard DVD installer is bought.
There is no download of this, that can correctly boot the computer, and
perform the reset of the computer as needed if it is sold or traded away;
the software should be included with the computer, as an essential part.
Same as the power adapter, & electricity to run it. The DVD is also a tool.
A machine build specific Apple Hardware Test is included in the original
DVD software kit for the computer, so a replacement Snow Leopard 10.6
install disc may not include that; it would be on a gray label original disc.
So the best bet is to contact Apple (see online store in your region, if not
in the US, or contact a local Apple Store if you have one within reason)
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
and order the Snow Leopard DVD. The cost is about $20. plus shipping.
Also, to correctly and properly identify the computer build model is an
important aspect of using database information to update or upgrade
a computer or any complex electronic device that runs software.
PS: the computer may require other hardware upgrade prior to being
able to run Mavericks OS X 10.9.4 adequately; a larger hard drive
with more storage and work capacity; and more chip RAM installed.
Good luck & happy computing!
edited

Installing Leopard without install disc?

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