Power Mac G4 (Dig Audio) Can't install OS 9.2.1

Question

I'm having an issue with trying to install OS 9.2.1 on a PM G4. I boot from the CD, but when I get to the actual install phase, it stops and gives me a general error. The Disc itself is clean and I know it works (used it on my iMac G3). I'm using a freshly formatted HD.
I just had to replace the logic board battery, I don't know if that had anything to do with it. Is 9.2.1 even able to be installed on this mac? I also try OSX 10.3, but I get a broken folder icon. Hardware test says everything's peachy, but nada.
Strange thing, when I first boot to the OS9 CD, it tells me that there's a problem with the CPU. Does anyone know of a test that I can run from say an external HD since it only has one DVD drive?

Answer 1

Nicholas Chase wrote:
Well, I can't install any software since I can't get a stable OS9 environment. The thing barely boots at all. How would I go about making my own installer?
I haven't make an 9.x installer in so long, I've forgotten. Basically you want to clone it say to a disc image (add the bits you need), then burn the image. There are special tricks in 9.x because you have to make sure the cloned system folder is blessed. Hopefully other in this thread who know the details will step up to answer that part.
I emailed Sonnet about the problem, but I have yet to hear back. If they can tell me which processor I have in here (if the system profiler is even telling me useful info about the cpu) I can get the right firmware update an it. Just buy the description I'm fairly sure that http://www.sonnettech.com/support/downloads/processorupgradecards.html#encorefir mware is the one that I need.
We'll with a DA, it's definately the "Encore" series, and not the Encore ZIF line (which are for the B/W and G4 PCI graphics). The page I linked earlier:
http://www.sonnettech.com/support/techtips/encorest.html
problem one mentions some software needed to get proper reporting of the CPU speed.
Problem is I can't find the mentioned "Metronome" utility. My guess is that it's included in the "Crescendo/Encore Processor Upgrade Software". That's not a firmware update, looks like OS level support software.
If you can't get a stable Mac, do NOT try to upgrade the firmware of the CPU. That's asking for trouble; you could end up in a worse position than you are now, e.g. a messed up upgrade.
Sonnet tech support is pretty good, I've dealt with them in the past.
There may be a sticker on the card that can help identify the card. Indeed it may help to know which exact model is in there and what it looks like. With recent Sonnet upgrades, the heatsink is already attached as a single unit -- that's typically a good think since you don't have to worry about the heatsink/chip interface (thermal paste, etc). There was a time with some Sonnet's where you would reuse the existing heatsink; I'm not sure if those were ever available for the DA but raises issues of whether thermal paste/grease was properly applied.
For the moment do NOT attempt to remove the heatsink, you've gotta be sure which model you have before moving on.
Mind take a look at the following page to see if any of the current models look like what you have inside?
http://www.sonnettech.com/product/processorupgradecards/index.html
I'm still pretty new to macs, but if the course of futzing with this one I've learned quite a bit. Still not enough to make an installer.
Just a question, but where did you get this Mac? Did you know ahead of time that it had a CPU upgrade in it? This sort of thing can matter, which unfortunately you found out.
I've done a lot of upgrading (incl. CPUs) and tinkering of a G3, DA, and MDD G4s. So some of the issues that can arise I still have somewhere in my brain -- I'll see what I can do to help you through this. Whenever I've done CPU upgrades, I've always kept the original CPUs just in case. In fact my DA 733 still works because I kept the original parts; the upgrade I stopped working at the end of last year. The seller of the Mac didn't happen to give you the original parts?