Unable To Install Leopard to ibook G4

I'm currently using mac os 10.3.9 and I would like to install the new leopard using firewire. After i restart the mac it shows a dialog box stating that i could not install the leopard. Why?
My ibook specs:
G4 933Mhz
600+ RAM
No DVD Rom but installing from my friend's mac book via firewire

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
A MacBook can't be used to install Leopard on a G4/933 unless your MacBook predates Leopard, and you follow these directions exactly with the Leopard retail installer disc which looks like *:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1418365&tstart=10
MacBook installer discs labeled as such can't be used on a G4/933.
MacBooks newer than Leopard's release date of 10/26/2007 can't use the retail installer for Leopard unless it was revised since that date, and is newer than the MacBook in question.
- * Links to images hosted on my website may give me compensation.

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Unable to Install Leopard on G4 iBook 1.2Ghz

I have a 15" G4 1.2Ghz iBook with 1.2MB of Ram. I have 13GB of available disk storage.
I get an error of "Unable to install 10.5 on this computer" when I run the Leopard installer. According to the specs I should have no problem installing it.
Any ideas??
TIA,
Jack

Hi Jack
"Apple makes me buy another version for each machine??"
Apple don't 'make' you buy anything, as do Microsoft or anyone else for that matter. If you want Leopard functionality on an older mac model that meets the minimum qualifying specification that's up to you. For that you are going to have to buy the Universal Leopard Installer. This was true for 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4.
As for Steve Job's Ferrari requirements (which could be seen as speculation and therefore not allowed by the rules of these forums to which you've agreed) that's neither here nor there. You can't with a good conscience blame him or Apople for your lack of understanding? As Kiraly points out its all there in the EULA.
Tony

Easiest way: installing leopard on ibook

hi,
i got a ibook g4 (1.33ghz,1.25gb,cd-r/w) from a friend and im looking for the easiest way to upgrade the os to leopard. i found several ways in the inet, but none of them sounds quite easy or cheap (e.g. runninga tftp server, changing the internal cd drive with a superdrive,...). so ive the leopard dvd next to my ibook and couldnt install it...
is it possible to use an external dvd-drive connected via firewire to install leopard? i already tried an external drive with usb, but i the ibook sadly wont boot from usb devices.
thanks for help!

Hey iBookChris,
is it possible to use an external dvd-drive connected via firewire to install leopard?
Yes that's the way I do it to avoid any variance in internal drives.
Richard

Unable to install Leopard

I followed the install instructions. When I select my internal HD as the place to install Leopard I get a message that tell me unable to install on this disk. It suggests I do a GUID Partition and warns me everything will be erased on my drive.

Bullet12 wrote:
I followed the install instructions. When I select my internal HD as the place to install Leopard I get a message that tell me unable to install on this disk. It suggests I do a GUID Partition and warns me everything will be erased on my drive.
Yes, apparently Apple failed to point out that the old disk format will not support Leopard.
If you run your disk utility app and select your drive on the left you should see, below,
Format : Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
You will probably see Apple something or other.
The only solution is to backup everything, format the HD with the new file system and then install Leopard. At that point you "should" be able to copy back those applications you wish to keep.
There seems to be no other solution to this problem other than not upgrading that computer.
Why did Apple not point this out in their system requirements?

Errors installing Leopard on iBook G4 (Late 2004)

I apologize for the long post but it seems like a good idea to provided some good background:
My friends iBook started freaking out a couple of months ago (e.g. kernel errors and all the fonts on the desktop icons/menu were "AAAAAAAA"). I helped him run Disk Utilities. I installed and ran Applejack and this "seemed" to help, but the drive still had errors that neither could repair. Last week, it started to persistently crashing and producing kernel errors. I took his iBook home to see if I could help. It stopped booting and Disk Utility could not repair the errors, so I wiped the drive and repartitioned and the drive still had several errors. I assumed that the drive was bad.
I replace the HD and installed a 250 GB, WD Scorpio Blue PATA, Model WD2500BEVERTL. Oh, the iBook is a G4, 1.33GHZ and 256 MB Main Ram plus 512 MB of RAM added. I followed the instructions from iFixIt <http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/iBook-G4-14-Inch-933-MHz-1-33-GHz-Hard-Driv e-Replacement/189/1> and faqintosh <http://www.faqintosh.com/risorse/en/guides/hw/ibook/g4hd/>. Both sites were almost correct. After I removed and replaced the HD, put everything together I had to remove the firmware password, which required a couple of RAM removals and Command-Option-P-R resets. I performed a few commands from terminal to verify that the firmware password was gone. See <http://www.fif3.com/howto/archives/001983.html>.
I installed the Leopard disk, setup the new disk using the Disk Utilities on the Leopard disk and proceeded with this installation. It failed to install. I played around with this and that and made several attempt to perform the installation via the optical drive in the iBook. It did not work. I started to read the installation log and tried to figure out what the problem was and found a few errors and tried to find a solution online. I was suspicious that the optical drive was acting up <http://discussions.info.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10470660&#10470660> , <http://www.hackint0sh.org/f147/68876.htm> so I investigated how to install Leopard using Target mode. Simple, right, connect the iMac to the iBook, restart the iMac in Target mode so the iBook can share the opticle drive in the iMac, unless.... Leopard cannot see a drive via Target mode if the "Target" is running Snow Leopard. grrrrr!
Well, I found lots of talk about imaging the Leopard installation disk to an external firewire HD, and performing the Leopard installing using the "option" start and select the external firewire drive. I found some great instruction <http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10329117-263.html> that walk me through the steps required to make an image of the Leopard disk and then restore the file to an external drive. An hour and a half later, I had the image restored to a 500 GB USB/Firewire external HD with one partition Apple Partition Map and connected it via the firewire to the ibook... Ran the installation again and the same errors occurred. I tried again, freeze. Tried again same errors.
Well, I had a crazy idea, install Leopard on the External Drive. This time the errors occurred at the same points; however, it was verbose and if I am reading it correctly the information that the installer is looking for on the Leopard disk that is missing or corrupt. The interesting thing with this is "Bad" Leopard disk came up several times during my searches. I have use my Leopard disk once on the iMac (now running Snow Leopard), why would I suspect the installation disk? Right? Well, the error that displayed on the last attempt pointed to the installation disk missing information and to contact the vendor.
Yesterday, I obtained another retail copy of Leopard from a coworker and the same errors occurred. I tried again, it froze. I tried a disk image to the external drive using the new disk which resulting in the same errors.
I don't really think there is a hardware issue (e.g. RAM) but who knows at this point. All I can really say is that my friends iBook is still dead. Actually, worse that when I got it. At least before it would boot Tiger... sometimes. Does anyone have any recommendations? Or a source for a retail copy of Tiger?

It is obvious the this is the wrong forum OR no one is interested in installing Leopard on an iBook G4. Regardless, I continued to investigate and found many posts related to bad or suspect RAM. So, I purchased a 512MB stick of Crucial RAM PC 2700 from a local PC and Apple repair shop. I would have purchased a 1GB stick, but this was not available.
I reset the RAM via Command-Option-P-R upon restart, ran the Leopard installation. This time it was successful. Everything was working great and then I had to install the updates... Note: I Should have made an image of the installation on the HD and Time Machine back up... but I didn't. This was a bad call because the 10.5.8 combo update didn't finish and crashed during install... then it provided an error message that it could not be installed, restart.
Subsequent attempts to reinstall Leopard via the DVD/CD drive have failed. I ran Disk Utility and the HD volume now had errors. I tried to repair these with Applejack & TechTool Deluxe. It could not repair... so I gave up.
Upon my returning to a challenge, I used Disk Utility to erase and setup one partition on the HD. I ran Leopard install. It failed. Ran Disk Utility again, erased the HD this time with zeros (just for fun) and the installation is hanging. I am going to let it sit over night. Any ideas out there?

Unable to install Leopard onto my iMac G5

This is my first post here so please be patient with me if I do not do a good job explaining my problem.....here we go.
I have a 20" iMac G5 purchased back in 2004. It is what I believe was referred to as a special edition and came with a wireless keyboard and mouse. It currently has the minimum 512 megs of ram (I've ordered 2 Gigs for it yesterday), 150Gig HD, 1.8Ghz (not at the computer right now so cannot confirm the CPU speed). It currently is running OS 10.4.11. Ok, now onto the problem.
I tried to install Leopard Family edition, which I purchased at an Apple Store. I have tried and failed to install 10.5 four times now. The first attempt would not even pass the DVD check. It says the install DVD is damaged. That is not true because it loaded just fine on my wife's 12" Macbook.
In any event, I do have an external HD which is used for backup, via SuperDuper. Therefore, I have not lost data in case you are wondering. Each time I installed I would select the erase and install option. Each time, I get a different error. It will pass the DVD check then fail about 15 minutes into the install. It will give a yellow triangle window and say the Source Media is damamged. Another error in another install attempt says something to the effect that it cannot find something (cannot remember what) on the destination drive.
After these attempt, I reinstalled 10.4 and managed to get the system running again. I repaired permissions and ran the Verify Disk from Disk Utility and everything checks out. I had a technician come help me and ran DiskWarrior and seem to believe the HD and permission are fine.
I have had a few problems prior to the Leopard install, which may be the problem to begin with. Mainly two problems, the computer will not always come out of sleep mode when clicking the mouse and/or keyboard. I also have had many Kernel Panics. These two issues have ocurred over the last year but have increased in frequency. Have not seen a Kernel panic since I reinstalled 10.4.11 but still will not always come out of sleep mode. BTW, I did get a USB keyboard (not apple) and a mac mouse and have been using them since last night.
Ok I will stop here for now. I aplogize for wordiness and disorganization. Please help..

I received my external DVD drive and tried to install Leopard. No success. I get the same error. It appears to fail about the same time. It spends some time doing work before it calculated the estimated install time. Just after it calculated an install time (about 3 hours) that is when I get installation failed error. To me, it would eliminate the internal optical drive.
At this point, I am at a loss of options. I could replace the Hard Drive next I guess. I am beginning to wonder if I should just save my money and buy a refurbished Intel iMac....
I did buy 2 Gigs of RAM (EDGE) which is supposed to be compatible with my system. When I installed it the computer would start buy the screen stays dark. About 30 seconds after startup the cpu fans spin up to full rmp and the computer remains that way until I hold in the power to power down. I tried removing the RAM one at a time and still no joy. I finally removed it and reinstalled the 512 ram and the computer booted no problem. I have already talked with the site I bought it from and I am going to send it back.
If anyone has anymore comments I would be most appreciative for additional help.

Unable to install Leopard on a Dual G5 2Ghz

Okay...I am trying to install Leopard on my Dual G5 2.0GHZ computer with 512mb ram (also tried 1gb and also tried various ram). I keep getting the same result. Computer goes to a gray screen stating, "There was a problem trying to install 10.5 onto this computer." The computer shuts down. I have another 2nd Dual G5 2.0GHZ that's doing the exact same thing. However, Tiger installs quite quickly and runs perfectly. WHAT'S UP WITH THIS?...LOL Has anyone come across this?

PRAM didn't do it. Only an apple keyboard and apple mouse are attached. I've tried 2 other sets of ram which I use in another computer from which Leopard starts. I can't even load the Leopard disc and boot by either internal or external methods because it brings up this error message first (screen turns gray) and then shuts down. Can't even save the message or errors listed because it shuts down immediately. Again, Tiger installed very quickly.
I can boot perfectly from an external hard drive with Leopard on it. With the computer in target mode, I can boot another computer. However, installing Leopard on the hard drive with computer in target mode took quite a long time.
So after installing the Leopard by placing the computer into target mode, guess what it does now?...lol It gets to a blue screen with the curser in the top left corner, which does move to my mouse, it stays like that for about 3 secs. It then blinks one time and in about 2 seconds, the screen is back to blue with the curser in the top left corner. It just repeats that process. Both computers do this.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks for the help.

Unable to Install Leopard in my late 2006 Imac.

Hi, Please help me in installing Leopard on my late 2006 Imac. After starting the installing dvd my system is not displaying Macintosh HD in start up disk and after reading in Mac forum. I have partition my HD in GUID partition format but still its not showing HD in start up disk.
Mac forum says that i can install leopard even if i have 667 Mhz speed with the help of Leopard assist software. but when i am installing its saying YOUR SYSTEM IS INTEL BASED. IT DOES NOT REQUIRE LEOPARD ASSIST.
Please help

Information courtesy of TexasMacMan;
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard installation system requirements
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24950
Leopard is no longer available at the Apple Store but may be available by calling Apple Phone Sales @ 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753).
If you can't obtain a retail install DVD from Apple, look on eBay or Google the installer part numbers to possibly find at an on-line store. Here's what to look for:
MB427Z/A Leopard 10.5.1 install DVD
MB576Z/A Leopard 10.5.4 install DVD
MB021Z/A Leopard 10.5.6 install DVD (single user)
MB022Z/A Leopard 10.5.6 install DVD (5-user family pack)
Installing Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1544
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Installation and Setup Guide
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/leopard_install-setup.pdf
After you install the base 10.5, download & install the 10.5.8 combo update at http://support.apple.com/downloads/Mac_OS_X_10_5_8_Combo_Update
if your disc is not a black one with a big X on it, and one of the above serial nos. it won't work.
No grey disc or any with "upgrade" or "drop in" on the label will work.

Unable to install Leopard... help?

It's my 4th time trying to install Leopard on my Imac G5.
When i put the DVD in and choose the restart option as stated, the computer restars but i never get to see the intall screen. It stays on the apple grey screen and nothing happens...
I have to restart and hold the eject key to be able to get the DVD out...
Once the DVD is out, my computer works just fine, but as soon as i start the installation process again, the same problems happen.
Anyone had the same problem?
thanks

I understand your need to preserve your applications and files. Formatting always takes up so much time. However, when troubleshooting, it does eliminate your pre-installed stuff as a source of the problem.
Another alternative would be to do an archive and install. That will at least keep your applications and files. Needless to say, you should have a backup of everything, so you should be prepared for everything on your boot drive.

Unable to install Leopard on MacBook Pro G4

I have a 2.16 GHz PowerBook G4 with 2 Gig of memory. When I try to install Leopard, I get as far as the restart. That it won't do. It comes up and says that it cannot be used as a start up disk and to make sure that the install disk is loaded. Well it is loaded, obviously, so what is happening? Why won't it continue into the installation. This is a brand new purchased disk.

I do not recall it being a G5
There was never a laptop from Apple with a G5 processor.
so it must be a G4 unless that designation is not used for the Core 2's.
"PowerBook" and "G4" only applied to the earlier laptops from Apple that contained the PowerPC G4 processor. Neither term applies to the current Intel-based Mac laptops of which the MacBook and MacBook Pro are examples. It's not a "technicality"; it's critical to identify correctly what model of Mac you have so that people give you appropriate advice. What works on one model of Mac doesn't always work on a different model.
That said, I repeat my question: have you tried booting it by inserting the CD, restarting, and holding down the "c" key? If not, try that and see if that will boot the system.

Install Leopard on iBook

Is it possible to install from the Leopard DVDs that came with my Unibody MB on my PPC iBook G4?
I have the tiger DVDs from the iBook, but would like to upgrade to Leopard without having to buy the retail DVDs.
I don't want to start the erase and install with the Leopard DVDs and have it tell me it's not possible.
Thanks in advance!

The discs that come with any Mac are machine-specific and contain hardware drivers for that machine. I believe there's a possibility they would work on another machine with the same hardware, but that's about it.
~Lyssa

Installing Leopard on iBook

Will installing Mac OS X Leopard on my iBook running Mac OS X Tiger cause it to slow down, like if you installed Windows Vista on a Windows XP PC?

Since you both advise on improving the amount of RAM I currently have, do you know of any good websites where I could get it from?
I would begin with ramseeker where you will find several vendors and competitive prices. You can also check out Other World Computing as they are a very reputable and reliable source.
As for the hard drive, would it work if I used a portable hard drive for all of my music and documents etc, and just kept the hard drive in the iBook purely for OS and any software?
You do not tell us the size of your HDD so I am not sure why you are thinking of keeping you data on an external HDD. Here is what I suggest:
• On your internal drive you will have the OS and applications.
• I suggest keeping your Documents folder on the internal HDD.
• If you have sufficient room on the internal HDD you can keep your iTunes and iPhoto libraries there, too. If you do not have sufficient room to accomodate your music and photos, they are the best candidates for an external drive. The following articles will be helpful:
Moving your iTunes Music folder
How to move the Library folder to a new location
• Be sure to maintain a full backup of all your data and keep it updated at all times. The best way to do it is to get an external firewire Hard Disk Drive and clone your entire volume from the internal HDD using a utility like SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner. This is the best insurance for your data at any time, but is especially important if you have an aging drive.
cornelius

Couldn't install Leopard on iBook G4

Tried to install this OS but it kept saying it couldn't be installed on this computer, even though it filled all of the specifications. I even tried uninstalling the Tiger and installing on clean disk, but wasn't able.

You cannot use the disks that came with another model of Mac. Those disks are licensed only for use with the Mac with which they came, and often lack drivers for other models or contain restrictions on installation on other models. You need to go out and purchase a retail copy of Leopard if you want it on your iBook. Make sure your iBook G4 meets the minimum system requirements:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/techspecs/
Not all iBook G4s will.

Installing Leopard to iBook

I recently purchased an Apple iBook G4 with 1.2GHz 256MB 30GB. It came without an operating system installed. A friend gave me his copy of Leopard. It is the gray disk & the dvd. When I try to install it reads the disk then ask me what language I want. Then it says preparing to install & does nothing else. I've waited hours for it do something but just stays like that. Any help would be appreciated.

Just so you know, you will have to upgrade the RAM, too, in order to run Leopard.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3759?viewlocale=en_US
I would recommend maximizing the RAM with a 1 GB module.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iBooks-PowerBooks/G4-iBook/

Help, Installing Leopard On iBook G4

Hello, I am currently running a 12" iBook G4 on tiger 10.4.11. It has 1.25GB if ram and it had i think 1GHz processor speed but, i used the program leopard assist and it now thinks it has 867MHz of processor.
I have the leopard install disks. I click the restart button on the Mac OS X install disk, and then it restarts it's self and then loads up the language choice, i choose English. Next thing that comes up is the message " This software cannot be installed on this computer." Then it gives my a choice of restarting or cancelling.
I cannot understand why it doesn't work as I am over all the requirements.
Any thoughts would be helpful and any guides or tips well be appreciated.
Many Thanks.

As I understand it, Leopard Assist writes a file named "boot.txt" to the root directory of the hard disk which at boot time configures Open Firmware to report the CPU speed as 867 MHz, then hands off booting to the installer disc.
Assuming that the presence of this file is the cause of your problem (which is not at all a certainty), you can try removing it & resetting NVRAM. If you don't know how to do those things, we can provide help for that, but first please answer the question about the kind of Leopard install disc you have.
It is more likely that the message you see is the result of using a grey, model-specific disc, which as already mentioned will not work with your iBook.

Unable To Install Leopard to ibook G4

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