Missing System Restore Discs

I have an iMac G4 that has been having some major system issues. I wanted to reinstall the OS, but I think I need to do a system restore first. Unfortunately, I have read that I need to have system restore discs in order to do that, and I definitely have lost those by now.
How would I go about getting system restore discs for my computer?
Thanks!

Hello yay:
Welcome to Apple discussions.
The answer would probably be you cannot. The system software included with a system is hardware-specific. If you are really running OS X 10.1 as your profile indicates, I suggest it is time to update to a current version of OS X.
Barry

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Can I use another Mac's system restore disc on my Mac?

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.
Q. Can I use the grey coloured System Restore discs that shipped with Mac A to install OS X onto Mac B?
A. In most cases, due to technical and licensing reasons, the answer is no. The answer is definitely no if any of the following apply:
Any part of the software on the system restore disc is currently installed or in use on Mac A, or on any other computer1
The OS on the disc is any version of Leopard (10.5.x), or is any version of Tiger later than 10.4.42
Either of the two Macs has an Intel processor3
The system restore discs from Mac A contain an older version of Mac OS X than the version of Mac OS X that was on the install discs that would have shipped with Mac B4
However, an installation attempt may be successful, and compliant with all OS X licensing terms, if all of the following conditions are met:
No part of the software on the system restore disc is currently installed or in use on Mac A, or on any other computer1
The OS on the disc is Tiger 10.4.3 or earlier, or is an earlier version of OS X (10.3.x, 10.2.x, etc)2
Both Mac A and Mac B have PowerPC processors (G3, G4, or G5)3
The system restore discs from Mac A contain a newer version of Mac OS X than the version of Mac OS X that was on the install discs that would have shipped with Mac B4
All terms of the Mac OS X Software License Agreement are followed, particularly sections 2 and 3 regarding permitted usage and transfer.
Even if all the above conditions are met, software restore discs contain computer-specific releases of Mac OS X, and may not install or work properly on a Mac that has a hardware configuration that is significantly different than the original.
Notes
The license agreement for single user copies of all versions of OS X, including all versions that ship on system restore discs, do not permit any part of the software to be installed or used on more than one computer at the same time.
The provision restricting the use of grey coloured system restore discs to the same Mac with which they shipped was introduced with the 10.4.4 Software License Agreement, and has been carried through to the 10.5 Leopard Software License Agreement. This restriction was not present in the Software License Agreement for earlier versions of Tiger, nor for earlier versions of Mac OS X.
All Macs with Intel processors shipped with a Mac OS X EULA restricting usage of the software restore discs to that Mac only. The license that shipped with G3, G4, or G5 Macs that shipped with 10.4.3 or earlier permit the transfer of OS X to another Mac, provided that all terms of the license agreement are followed. Furthermore, the architecture of PowerPC and Intel systems are incompatible enough that neither platform's system restore discs will install on the other.
Mac OS X system software will not properly run on, and may not even install on, any Mac that is newer than it, because the software lacks the hardware drivers to run properly on the newer hardware. Details are in this document: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2186
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.

Gray Install Discs are Machine specific, so even if both were Intel iMacs they'd have to be the same Models.
Leopard 10.5.x is another possible option besides Tiger/10.4.x.
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)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514
See Tom's, (Texas Mac Man), great info on where/how to find/get Tiger...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9755670&#9755670
Or Ali Brown's great info on where/how to find/get Tiger...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10381710#10381710
Leopard requirements/10.5.x...
* Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor
minimum system requirements
* 512MB of memory (I say 2GB at least)
* DVD drive for installation
* 9GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)
You have to call Apple & likely ask for a Product Specialist to get it, if they still have it!

Powerbook g4 12" failure to load with or without system restore disc

I searched around a bit and couldn't find anyone with exactly this problem. My hard drive failed a while ago, which I had kind of been expecting for a while. so i bought a new hitachi 120GB HD that is compatible with my machine.
i scrounged up my 10.2.3 system restore/install disc that came with my computer some 5 years ago, and tried to run it with my new hard drive. But my computer will not boot the disc. I ran the hardware checker disc, and everything turned out OK, but my computer will not boot the System Restore disc (I am holding C during startup to no avail). It gets to the gray apple and then the screen gets a thick horizontal line of static across it. if i try to boot without the sysrestore disc, i get a ? sign as if I was trying to run classic mode with a bad extension.
is my system restore disc busted or what? Is there another problem that the hardware checker disc couldn't find?
I don't really want to drop more money on a new OS, especially if it's not going to fix my problem.
oh and there are zero scratches on the disc- this is maybe the 2nd time ive taken it out of its sleeve/the bag that the sleeve came in. i don't understand why this isn't working and I really like this computer- this is the only serious problem it has ever had.

Jack:
Thanks for the clarification. So even before the new HDD, the computer will not boot from the internal HDD or the install disk. However, it does start up, so that is good.
Try Resetting the PRAM.
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination immediately after the chime and before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down for three chimes.
6. Release the keys and allow to boot.
If still no joy, see if you can boot from the Apple Hardware Test disk that came with the computer. If you are able to boot, run all tests in a loop by holding down Command + L during the tests.
Let me know how it goes.
Cheers
cornelius

Need to find %SystemRoot%\WinSxS\folder_name to find missing system restore service module

My ability to do a system restore is zilch.
It turns out that my Win 8.1 laptop is unable to run sys restore due to the service module being missing.
And I have to work around that and set up a registry key to do a correction.
I have no idea where the file %SystemRoot%\WinSxS\folder_name.
All of this to correct error 126 in services.msc
I've had plenty of times where a reinstallation of my computer would do the trick--however, I just don't want to lose everything.
System restore is a feature that I use, and it is NOT working at all. Rather disappointing--it's always something.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
This question was solved.
View Solution.

see help 1...
I am a Volunteer to help others on here-not a HP employee.
Replies aren't online 24/7 because of Time Zone differences.
Remember in this Day and Age of Computing the Internet is Knowledge at your fingertips if you choose understand it. -2015-

Missing System Restore CD?

I maybe going crazy, but I received my iBook G4 in Feb. '06 and I can't remember seeing any System Restore CD's in the package. I've turned the house upside down looking for them and can't find them. My sister also received a new iBook G4 in Oct. '05, and she can't remember seeing any CD either. Have they discontinued sending them with new computers? If not, how can an get new CD's?

Hi cptmarvel305,
Welcome to Apple Discussions
It sounds like you have misplaced them and you may want to buy a new copy of the DVD. You both can split the cost of Mac OS X Family Pack. The retail version will not have the iLife applications with it, so you can't reinstall iLife without having the iLife DVD. The only real way (that I know of) to avoid this is to find your original install disc(s).
Jon
PS The install disc is one DVD with the Mac OS X Tiger symbol on it.
Mac Mini 1.42Ghz, iPod (All), Airport (Graphite & Express), G4 1.33Ghz iBook, G4 iMac 1Ghz, G3 500Mhz, iBook iMac 233Mhz, eMate, Power Mac 5400 LC, PowerBook 540c, Macintosh 128K, Apple //e, Apple //, and some more... Mac OS X (10.4.5) Moto Razr, iLife '06, SmartDisk 160Gb, Apple BT Mouse, Sight..

27" iMac dosnt come with system restore discs?

I just purchased a new 27" i5 and have no system restore / software discs. Does Apple no longer include the discs?

If you are really, really, 100% certain you want to do that, you would first erase the hard disk.
When you boot into Lion Recovery, click the Utilities menu and select Disk Utility. When that loads you will see your hard disk on the left column. Select it, then click Erase. A warning dialog will appear telling you what you already know.
Then, install OS X as you did before.
Back up your system before doing any of this, if you want to change your mind. Also, before you start, go into iTunes and "deauthorize" your computer.
Beware that this will delete any preinstalled software that may have been "bundled" with your Mac. iLife comes to mind. "Bundled software" does not include iTunes, Mail, Safari, Address Book and many other programs, but iLife will not be reinstalled as that is considered extra, paid software. Erasing your hard disk will delete it for good, and I am certain it cannot be downloaded from the App Store.

Lost system restore disc (the grey one)

I have, I have lost my system restore disk (the grey one) for my macbook and now it is stuck at the loading screen (after apple logo comes out, it never loads) Is there any way of restoring my system?

It used to be that one could get the original system disks for your model replaced, and that may still be the case, but recent developments with Lion and Mountain Lion, have changed the business model, where the OS is no longer a premium priced component from Apple.
Consequently, you may as well buy a retail 10.6 DVD to replace your lost original. It will be about the same price.
Telephone your local Apple store to order one, as they are no longer available online. Once reinstalled from the DVD you can update to the last update 10.6.8.
This is the easiest way to restore your system without an existing backup on hand.

No System Restore Disc!!!!

AAAAAAH!!!! I can't believe this has happened to me, I bought my 12-inch PowerBook from an Apple Authorized Reseller, and the system disc that came with it was corrupt!!! I verified that the box was sealed and had not been opened, as well as the disc, so it seems the problem originates at Apple HQ.
The reseller sent the disc back, requesting a replacement - TWO MONTHS AGO - and has not yet received either acknowledgement or a replacement disc to this date. I would love to sue him but it doesn't seem to be his fault, so I might sue Apple instead, this disc is extremely important and I need it for my next trip outside the country just in case something happens that I will regret.
In any case, I don't know what to do now, I'm not about to buy an Applecare plan on a 60 day old machine, and since I can't return it, nor sell it (who would buy a powerbook with no system disc??). Im stuck basically, any tips are welcome - and NO I'm not going to pay $130 for Tiger and $80 for iLife '05, because it comes free with my machine and I think I'm entitled to at least that bit of dignity.
HELP!

Hi,
Can you post back with the following.
1. The full Model No. and Product No. of the notebook - see Here for a guide on locating this information.
2. The full version of the operating system you are using ( ie Windows 7 64bit ).
3. Run a test on the HDD as follows.
Shut down the notebook. Tap away at the esc key as you start the notebook to enter the Start-up Menu. Select the Bios option ( usually f10 ) and under the Advanced or Diagnostic tab you should find the facility to run a test on the Hard Drive. Include the details of any error messages.
Regards,
DP-K
****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
****I don't work for HP****
Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience

Issues with using the system restore discs from Acer

I am trying to restore an Acer laptop using the restore CD's that I ordered from Acer. Everything works fine until the restore gets to 93% copy progress and 24% copying progress and then the restore locks up. I have tried it 3-4 times with the same issue happening each time. Any ideas?
Thank you,
Richard
[edited for privacy-please do not post personal or unique information such as but not limited to full names, email addresses, phone numbers, serial numbers, etc.]

I did try the reinstall process using the ALT+TAB keys and this did not fix the issue. The system is locking in the same place of the restore every time. I feel this may be an issue with the hard drive and therefore I feel it will be necessary to replace it. Does this sound like and accurate assumption?

How can I make apple sell me my original system restore 10.4.7 discs for my

My apple expert made me take out all but the drive I intended to erase and install, put that drive in position 1, and insisted I could install tiger from my retail tiger disc, which is 2005 PPC. I told him this, but he said it did not matter, and that I was wrong to say that it was just PPC. Of course the tiger dvd is not recognized as a bootable disc on my mac pro 1.1, nor is any startup disc on any volume created with the ppc installer. The purpose of my initial call was to purchase the 10.4.7 original system restore discs. I purchased the machine a few days ago so that I could use tiger volumes when I needed to, but still move forward with snow leopard on other drives. It came without system disks. Can I buy the disks from an outside vendor? Who? I need to use multiple OS setups.

I heartily thank everyone who posted and gave me good advice. I could tell that I got cooperation from apple only after posting this, so I did not want to respond until I actually got the discs.
Now I'm looking for an airport extreme card and I find that searching on the apple store turns up no results, only base stations. I have 3 airport cards, but sure they are all too old since they were for motorola G5's and 4's. And I'm wondering how to access svideo now... I'm nursing my aged cracked titanium powerbook because it has a pcmcia slot and svideo out, two things I use for importing cf cards and microdrives and presenting with my laser projector. The svideo cable allows the machine to be a long distance from the projector, or the projector from the amplifier. A display adapter is no help, and I have several, unless I can find a converter to svideo. I want to use a macbook 13" white plastic because of weight. Even though it can't run my video software, I can at least show things on screen and carry work back and forth, but I don't understand the refusal to address Svideo and and the card slot. SD cards only do so much, and usb readers are notorious now, everyone has to use them, and they are not reliable. Buying a heavy large mac book pro 17" does not do me any more good than lugging around my tower machine. iPad will be wonderful when it gets a keyboard and full computer functions- and runs regular software. But that is a few decades from now.
So many of my colleagues have had to buy pc laptops. They saved a lot of money.

EMac - System Restore won't continue....

I am a public educator, so we are trying to keep our computers alive. We recently zeroed out an Emac with Techtool Pro and Discwarrior. When I put in the system restore disc, I cannot click on the "Continue" promt. It looks like it is ready to install, but it will not click.
Can anyone help?
I am a public educator, so we are trying to keep our computers alive.
FYI it is probably not the original keyboard or mouse, and it probably is not the original memory either.

Insert the Install Disk 1 into the drive and then select Restart; when you hear the chime hold down C key until the apple logo appears.
This will take you to the installation software.
The keyboard, mouse and RAM do not have to be original for you to reinstall your operating system, but having the original disk is required OR having a purchased retail version will do just as nicely.
Good luck with your installation.

My G4 continuously crashed...so i tried system restore...but it crashes

for months now my G4 cashed everytime i tried to import video or try to download the latest updates etc...
so i tried deleting most of my stuff off the hard drive to see if that woul dmake a differentce but it didnt...
i tried using the healing disc...and it said nothing was wrong...
so i tried the first system restore disc...however during this, the computer just crashes everytime...
so i am not able to restore the computer.
anybody able to help?
well, thats if its even possible to fix it...
thanks

alright i figured it out... i had wifisync installed on an admin account i simply had to uninstall it and iTunes restored my iPod after i redownloaded 4.3.3

System restore disk

My hard drive just crashed on my macbook. I was looking for my system restore disc and could not find it. Can someone tell me how I can obtain a system restore disc for my macbook?

Click here, find the applicable number, and order replacements.
(55187)

Error code 0xe0ef0003, No "BOOTMGR" after a system restore, no disc/self system.

So ... my HP Pavilion dv7 NB, that I've owned just a mere two days shy of three years, decided to get extremely lazy late last night. I have malware programs in place, strong security, etc. but I suppose that something might have slipped in ... but unlikely because of the issue I'm having. Which is the same issue that, well, everyone else is having! I do use my PC a lot so no big deal. Since I did everything that is suggested to do prior to an extreme act like a system restore I figured that I had no choice but to do a restore and that all will be well. Saved what images, music and a couple of other things that are important to me onto a disc and started to wipe things clean. I've done this before on my desktop ... which I've had since 2004 (Sony VAIO VGCRB42G) and is still going strong even though it's considered a "relic" at this point. I do take very good care of my things ... So after saving what I wanted I began what I thought was going to be a fairly short process. That started last night. 24 hours and hundreds of posts later I am no closer to figuring out what is going on. Maybe the OS? Microsoft and W7 really isn't ALL that ... it's good but not great by any means. Or could it be the components? Built by HP ... or FOR HP over seas, maybe? Regardless, my experience with HP products lately has been less than stellar. And after reading reams of the same issues that others and I share, with no cure for the elusive 0xe0ef0003/No BOOTMGR bug, it seems that my actions of a mere 6 months ago were spot on .... stop buying HP products.
There was a time when HP was king. They had great products, built right in my own backyard. Heck, my mom used to work for Fairchild. Who probably made some of the components that HP used in their products ... I think ... right here in the good ol' U.S. of A. I used to deliver skids and skids of freight to HP way back when. Now their campuses look like ghost towns. Yet there was a recent major ad campaign and their brand is still taking up shelf space at Fry's on Durham Rd. ... uhh, 'scuse me, Automall ...
I've read a number of "Solved!" messages to which none helped me. But I do appreciate this community for trying ... sorta. Too many of these 'Solved!" messages included the suggestion of purchasing a restore disc, HD or something else. A recovery/restore disc ... something that was always included for free when one bought a new PC. Something that I got with my VAIO. Something that I've only needed to use once with my old a$$ VAIO! I am amazed that my ancient relic of a desktop outlasted my NB by 6+years ... and still going.
So after searching high and low and employing every other suggestion that I haven't tried already, all one of them, that doesn't require me spending more money I've resigned myself to accepting that if I want to be "mobile" with my PCing ... I'll have to buy another. Brand. Don't get me wrong, I love to spend money and I would gladly spend the extra dough if my NB was a little older but since it's so young and already needs a "heart transplant" I'd say the outlook for the rest of it's existence is pretty short and dismal anyway. So I'll just be "putting her down" ...
I'd like to thank you for allowing me the space to rant a little. Please be kind in your responses. I'm not really looking for help to fix my NB. I consider her dead. There are plenty of posts with folks who have the exact same issue. A ton. Mega tons! Chock full of replies and answers on this issue already. Do a search for yourself if you don't believe me! No, I just thought that maybe a muckety muck might be listening. I doubt it but ya never know!
As I am typing this up on my desktop I can't help but notice that I still have two pieces of HP product that I'm still employing: The wireless keyboard and mouse that I'm using at this moment. I sure do hope they don't burn up under my hands before I hit "Post"!

you can't reactivate ps cs.
however, adobe allows you to use ps cs2, http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/policy-pricing/creative-suite-2-activation-end-life.htm l

How to Use a System Repair Disc to Restore Windows 7

Hi ! Please start here!
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-use-a-system-repair-disc-to-restore-windows.html
http://forums.toshiba.com/t5/Computer-Troubleshooting/What-can-I-do-if-my-Windows-7-or-Windows-Vista...
http://forums.toshiba.com/t5/Windows-8-Knowledge-Base/What-can-I-do-if-my-Windows-8-laptop-won-t-sta...
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ss/windows-7-startup-repair_2.htm
PS Please read all these links and then post back here with your complete model number found on the bottom of your laptop and complete information to what you have tried to get your PC working I would love to spoon feed everyone. It's just not possible.
Dokie!!
PS2 Now read this and see if any thing here helps.
http://forums.toshiba.com/t5/Computer-Troubleshooting/FYI-Recovery-to-Factory-Settings-Toshiba/td-p/...
I Love my Satellite L775D-S7222 Laptop. Some days you're the windshield, Some days you're the bug. The Computer world is crazy. If you have answers to computer problems, pass them forward.
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Hi! I found this on the form!
http://forums.toshiba.com/t5/System-Recovery-and-Recovery/How-To-Understanding-System-Recovery-Optio...
I Love my Satellite L775D-S7222 Laptop. Some days you're the windshield, Some days you're the bug. The Computer world is crazy. If you have answers to computer problems, pass them forward.

Missing System Restore Discs

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