Installing Panther on iBook 500mhz

Hi,
Just a quick one...
I was just about to order some extra RAM (512mb)for this ibook G3 500mhz (only has 64mb at the moment) I got so I can run Panther, however, I thought before ordering it, I'd check if the Panther install CDs would work.. I was just curious..
So i popped it in the CD drive, clicked on Install OSX and the ibook restarted.. but it didn't start the Panther installation.. instead it booted normally into 10.0.3 (I even held down 'c' whilst restarting).
I kinda expected this as it does say 'at least 128mb of memory' on the PDF... am I right in thinking it won't even try to install Panther if theres only 64mb of RAM?
I didn't wanna shell out for the extra RAM and find out Panther wouldn't install anyway.. hehe.. method to my madness
Any tips/opinions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
ian

Were you started up from the Panther CD when this happened? In other words, did you start up from the CD instead of the hard drive prior to clicking on "Install"?
Panther has been successfully installed on an iBook 500 MHz. You need more RAM for it to happen. The main drawback is hard drive space. If you have the little dinky 10 GB hard drive, you could run into problems.
My husband has Panther installed on his, but he doesn't even have AppleWorks installed. He doesn't use iTunes or iPhoto. If you want to do anything besides internet surfing and e-mail, you may have problems.
It is generally recommended to keep 5 GB free in order to run OS X smoothly.
That's hard to do on an iBook with a (nominal) 10 GB hard drive that is, in actuality, only 9.31 GB.

Similar Messages

Wanting to install Panther via iBook G4

Hi everyone. Thank you for taking the time to view my post.
I have an iMac G3 500mhz 320mb 20gb CD-ROM computer running OS X 10.1.5.
I also have an iBook G4 running 10.3.9 with system disks supporting 10.3.3.
I would like to install Panther onto my iMac, but it has no DVD drive. I have tried for hours trying to do a network install via my LAN, but it appears that 10.1.5 didn't include network startup as a feature. (i don't see it anyways)
I know this is possible by way of FireWire, but I don't have a FireWire cable and I don't know which one to get or where to get it. Apple stores are few and far between in the middle of America and I don't have any opportunities to visit one any time soon.
My big question is if it is possible by way of iPod?
I have a 4th gen 20gb iPod (monochromatic)
Is there a way I could use the iPod as a startup disk that would allow me to install Panther on the iMac?
Thank you for any help.

Check e Bay or a computer store supply if your in a hurry. The price on a 6 pin to 6 pin firewire cable has dropped big time in the last year or so. If you decide to purchase an external enclosure which has both USB and firewire outputs on it you would be supplied with a cable as well. It's not a bad idea to have an external case for easy backup at a cheap price and it would work with either your lap top or iMac and you could use it to transfer data or files from one computer to another.

Is it possible to install Panther on Ibook G3 Graphite?

I installed 10.2 on the ibook. That worked and is working fine. I then tried to install 10.3 without updating to 10.2.8. The installation seemed to go well, but it would not complete the start up. It went from gray to blue screen but the finder would not load and show on the desktop. The screen was not frozen.
Will 10.3 work with the G3 Ibook with 320 ram and 366 mhz?
Will updating to 10.2.8 first and then installing 10.3 possibly work?

Hello Again Charley!
Does your iBook meet the Panther System Requirements
Additional Panther System Requirements,
and Mac Model Compatibility & Requirements For OS X?
Are you using the Panther Retail Version CDs?
You haven't posted the size of your HD, and how much space is available?
Is the RAM original or added? Panther is very discerning about type of RAM.
If you have added RAM, remove it if the original amount is at least 128 MB.
Try the install again. If the installation is successful, you can then try to re-add the extra RAM.
Did you run Repair Permissions after the installation?
Also, see if anything here You see an empty, blue screen, helps.
Good Luck!
ali b

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

Is it possible to install Panther directly onto ibook w/ OS9

Is it possible to install Panther directly onto a clamshell ibook with OS9, or do I have to install the various versions of X prior?
PM

Hi Paul,
if your iBook meets the 10.4 System Requirements (e.g. Built-In Firewire, 256 MB RAM,...) then you can directly install 10.4 without going through all the previous versions. However, be aware that you cannot use the install disk that came with your MacBook Pro!!! These are hardware specific and also specific to the Intel-CPU.
If this answered your question please consider granting some stars: Why reward points?

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:
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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?

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I have a very old iMac. One of the CRT display ones which came in 5 or 6 different colours. I want to install Panther, OS X on it.
I have the installation discs for the OS from an iBook G4, but am not sure if these are CDs or DVDs? I only have a CD drive in the iMac and my only other PCs are PCs and not macs.
Can anyone tell me if I can get the OS installed on the iMac, if it will work ok and if I need to re-write the discs if they are DVDs to CDs?
Basically I need help and any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks team!

Scott,
Welcome to discussions.
The discs that you require will be CDs. As already noted, you will not be able to use the grey discs from an iBook G4 to install OSX 10.3 onto your old iMac G3.
So the good news is that OSX 10.3 retail CDs come up every week or so on eBay UK. Some go for a few quid, but if you get a quiet week (perhaps with the auction ending during a big footie match on TV) they can go for £0.99.
You'll need to prepare by making sure:
- you have enough memory in the iMac G3,
- you have a big enough disk in the iMac,
- you've applied all the required firmware updates to the iMac - this is critical, the earliest iMacs blew their video card if upgraded to OSX 10.2 or later without upgrading the firmware.
- you understand that the iMac may crawl with OSX 10.3.9 on it.
The earliest iMac G3's, from 233MHz to about 500MHz will feel like treacle, the 700MHz models will just be bearable.
If you're just trying to get some use out of an old Mac fine, but if you have a real use for it, consider picking up an eMac G4, up to about a 1.25GHz G4, for under £40 on eBay. Look for one with keyboard, mouse and original discs. Some may be on offer at £100+, but they're only worth £40 Max. Edinburgh / Glasgow gumtree have them all the time too, usually overpriced, but at least you can haggle.

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

Install CD's and/or re-installing 'Panther' without them?

Hi,
I can't find my Install CD's and my iBook doesn't start up anymore. I get the 'loading-screen', but after that the screen just stays blue. Now I've tried everything they advise you to do in Support, nothing works though. So of course the next step would be to use my Install CD's, which I can't find anymore. I've recently purchased a SmartDisk and I've been able to save the files I don't want to loose through Target Disk Mode and a friend's iBook. He said I could borrow his Install CD's, but he's got a 14" and I think it's 'younger' than mine. This would mean it wouldn't work, right? Besides, it might even be illegal, or not? What I was wondering is whether I can still use Disk Utility via those CD's or will that fail as well?
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I've given Apple a call to ask how much it would cost to buy a new Install CD and it was €95 (about $115)! So if anyone can help, I'd be very much obliged!
Thanks!
Kevin
iBook 12 inch Mac OS X (10.3.9)

If your friend's iBook is a "Late 2005" and yours is an "Early 2004", then his iBook would have come with Mac OS X 10.4. This copy of 10.4 will not install on any other kind of computer. However, you could buy a retail copy of Mac OS X 10.4. This would not get you the AppleWorks or iLife that originally came with your iBook, however. You could also buy a retail copy of iLife, but with the two purchases together, it would be cheaper to pay Apple for copies of your correct disks...
Although I'm not sure how I can find the processor speed without my iBook working.
If you open the keyboard, there will be a sticker inside that has some information about your iBook. It should say something like "1.2GHz G4/512/40/AP/BT". That would be a 1.2GHz G4 with 512MB of RAM (built-in), a 40GB hard drive, an AirPort card, and Bluetooth.
-Doug

Crash when attempting to install panther and jaguar

Hello,
Few days ago I suffered a nasty crash (kernel panic I think) from using Windows Media Player 9 and a partially downloaded movie. After that the computer was unable to restart. Blue screen after showing the starting up window and nothing more. (I asked about that in this thread "what are my chances of full/partial recovery?" http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1008280&tstart=0 ).
Managed to get all my personal files off the crashed Powerbook via another machine using firewire disk target mode. Having managed to successfully do that I thought it was going to be plain sailing from then on. I used Disk Utility to reformat the drive including overwriting with zeros, and the Powerbook drive appeared on the other machine's desktop completely empty and looking fine.
Having disconnected it from the other machine, using Panther install CD 1 to install Panther I got a kernel panic, the message in multiple languages including Japanese saying restart computer, soon after clicking the Install button.
I tried starting from the Jaguar install disk 1, choosing Disk Utilities to reformat the drive again (without zeroing it this time) and tried to install Jaguar instead. Soon after clicking Install the screen went entirely black with a bit of white text in the top left: The installer has quit due to an unexpected error (exit code 0). Please restart your computer.
What's going on? The computer was working fine before the Windows Media Player crash (which occured when viewing movie in full screen mode). I've wiped and reformated the disk and now can't install Panther or Jaguar. What could the problem be? Firmware? I'm guessing without knowing anything. I'm v. surprised the problem is continuing after reformatting the drive. That indicates that the crash effected something other than the contents of the drive?! which I thought was impossible.
Any suggestions would be much apprecaited.
Thanks.

Hello,
Thanks for the replies/info.
Yes the Panther and Jaguar install disks are retail versions, not specific machine versions. And the Jaguar ones worked for the Powerbook before.
The Powerbook I have is the Firewire 500mhz one, Pismo I think it's called. The hard drive is a 60GB one. I didn't have to partition it before.
Reviewing all the above, it would appear that the problem is me not being able to use an internal, built in CD/DVD drive to install from this time? The only other thing it could be I think is the crash I recently had has had some bad effect -- but that's unlikely right? So, I need to get a new DVD drive? Or is there any other way to get the OS onto the Powerbook without getting another internal DVD/CD drive? Is there anyway to install onto the PB from another machine maybe?
Does that sound right?: not being able to use internal DVD/CD drive is the source of my current problem?
Thanks.

Upgrade OS Panther on iBook G4 to unavailable OS Tiger

I am repurposing and old iBook G4 to be the music server/centre in my house (1.2 GHz, 14-in, early 2004). Upgrading the iBook seemed to be a less expensive option than say, buying a MacMini which has no screen or keyboard/mouse. The iBook is in pretty good shape considering it was a student’s workhorse until recently. However, it is running on OS Panther and has only a 60 GB Hard drive. So:
1. Where can I get a copy of OS Tiger (superceded by Leopard and no longer available) that can be installed on an iBook G4? I have the Tiger software that came with my Intel MacBookPro and an Intel iMac (since replaced with OS Leopard) but it will not fly on the iBook.
2. Can I buy a bigger hard drive for the iBook? 100 or more GB? And if so, any particular HD?
Technically the iBook works perfectly well as is, but I would like to use some of the features of Tiger and could us more hard drive space. Also, I would like to be able control iTunes from my iPhone Remote.

Welcome To  Discussions osymandias!
If your Mac meets the Leopard System Requirements, the Full Retail Version, of the Leopard Install DVD, can be purchased at The Apple Store (CA).
The posted RAM System Requirement, is the bare minimum.
For optimum performance, more is recommended.
If you know what to look for, a Full Retail Version, of the Leopard Install DVD, can be purchased, sometimes less expensively, at some online Apple retailers, Amazon, eBay, FastMac, HardCore Mac, AllMac, etc.
Be sure not to purchase grey, upgrade or machine specific CDs or DVDs.
Leopard is on DVD.
The disc should look exactly like the images in the above links, and not say Upgrade, CPU Drop-in DVD, or "This software is part of a hardware bundle purchase - not to be sold seperately." on it.
Caveat Emptor!
If any are presently available, examine these items very carefully, and if in doubt, ask questions of the seller before purchase!
Leopard On eBay
Once Leopard 10.5.x is installed, you can use the If Leopard 10.5.x is installed, use the Mac OS X 10.5.5 Combo Update, to upgrade to the current version.
You may also find this Leopard Installation and Setup Guide PDF useful.
ali b

Help ! cant install OS on ibook

my ibook G3/800 had its hard drive wiped i tried to install Panther on it today and the CD-Rom drive keeps ejecting the disc any help?
Thanks

Was your optical drive having problems prior to being erased, or did this problem only occur after the hard drive was erased? Also, did you run Disk Utility to verify the hard drive and repair if necessary prior to erasing the hard drive?
Also, when you try to boot from the CD, be sure and hold down "C" until a screen comes up.
If the optical drive just won't work, you may have to work around it somehow. Do you have access to another Mac? If so, you could try using firewire Target Disk Mode to access the hard drive on the iBook and see if it needs repair by Disk Utility. Also to see if it has been properly formatted.
I don't know much about firewire disk mode myself since I have never had two computers working at the same time, but I think that might be of help here. But it would be best to be guided by one of the more knowledgeable and experienced members of this forum on just what to do. If you happen to have access to an external optical drive, you could try that too.
Good luck!

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.
Why reward points?(Quoted from Discussions Terms of Use.)
The reward system helps to increase community participation. When a community member gives you (or another member) a reward for providing helpful advice or a solution to their question, your accumulated points will increase your status level within the community.
Members may reward you with 5 points if they deem that your reply is helpful and 10 points if you post a solution to their issue. Likewise, when you mark a reply as Helpful or Solved in your own created topic, you will be awarding the respondent with the same point values.

Panther booty: ok but still no way to install Panther on external HDD

I've looked around the posts for my specific problemo and didn't see it. So here goes my question.
I can't install Panther on my iomega external hard drive - 250 GB firewire. My powermac G4 has no trouble recognizing the iomega hard drive on the desktop, but when I reboot from the Panther disk and hit 'install' the only option to install is on my current hard drive. But when I select disk utility from within the booted computer it does recognize that the iomega hard drive is there.
Do I need to do some extra tap dancing in order to get a Mac OS onto this iomega creature? I want to run iMovie, iTunes and Garageband on it, in addition to some non-Mac apps that right now go onto the iomega with no trouble.
I don't want to use the iomega as a backup as much as I want to use it for specific memory-hogging applications.
Thanks
PowerMac G4 867 Mhz Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Like to add another wrinkle, for install experts:
I just got a Micronet 80GB firewire/USB external drive. My iBook HD is dead. I want to make the external drive a bootable for the iBook -- and also have it mountable on a PC (Win2K)machine with USB. The drive came preformatted as Fat32.
Right now I have the same situation as Sheila. OS X installer doesn't see the drive (with firewire or USB connection to the ibook). Disk doctor does. So I could erase and format as Mac OS, but...
Can I make one partition Mac file system and boot the iBook, and keep the remainder Fat 32K to be mounted by Win2K?
If not, I guess I format the whole drive with Mac file system to make it a bootable external disk, and perhaps use the LAN to access it through the Ibook.
Any tips appreciated.

Help installing Panther

I just got an ibook with a hosed CD drive, are there any options using an external CD drive to install Panther? I have enough RAM and Hard Drive space, when I tried using my Wallstreet to install software via XpostFacto I got the message that the software will not work on this computer, are there any other options?

If you have another mac sitting around, using the appropriate adapter, plug your ibook harddrive into the other mac and install OS X, then just plug your harddrive back into your ibook. Easier still, pick up a new cd drive off ebay.
Good Luck

Installing Panther on iBook 500mhz

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