Resolved Anyway to finish my OS X install? (broken CD drive)

[BulmaSMG]

So lately I've noticed my CD drive has been acting up. I read somewhere that a new battery (which I needed anyway) could fix my issues. I thought it did when I popped my OS X install disc in and I got through all the files that needed to be installed on that disc. Now the CD drive refuses to read discs again. How can I finish the install? I'm using an eMac and I'm trying to install Tiger. I own something that can connect IDE and SATA drives to a computer through USB but I don't think it works with Macs. Any thoughts?

 

[jav6454]

Which Mac do you have? So far I understand your eMac's CD drive is busted. Try USB installation?

 

[Eidorian]

Which Mac do you have? So far I understand your eMac's CD drive is busted. Try USB installation?

You'll be looking at FireWire for an eMac.

 

[jav6454]

You'll be looking at FireWire for an eMac.

Ah it's true. Then this will be either an external CDdrive or replace old one.

 

[BulmaSMG]

That's what I'm thinking. Like I mentioned I have something that connects IDE or SATA CD/HD drives to computers through USB. Could I get that to work? I understand it's older and I think it might have to be firewire only.

 

[Eidorian]

That's what I'm thinking. Like I mentioned I have something that connects IDE or SATA CD/HD drives to computers through USB. Could I get that to work? I understand it's older and I think it might have to be firewire only.

It'll be FireWire only on the old eMac. You want to make sure if you use a SATA to IDE bridge that it'll also work over FireWire. I had a USB 2.0/FireWire external enclosure where the included SATA to IDE adapter only allow operation over the USB 2.0.

 

[BulmaSMG]

It'll be FireWire only on the old eMac. You want to make sure if you use a SATA to IDE bridge that it'll also work over FireWire. I had a USB 2.0/FireWire external enclosure where the included SATA to IDE adapter only allow operation over the USB 2.0.

I have the one that Wikipedia says is from 2004. I think I'm SOL because I don't own anything firewire. I think it may be time to say bye to my eMac. I'm investing in a Mini but I really liked the idea of having my eMac around for classic support.

 

[ResPublica]

That's what I'm thinking. Like I mentioned I have something that connects IDE or SATA CD/HD drives to computers through USB. Could I get that to work? I understand it's older and I think it might have to be firewire only.

You can use the CD Drive with USB but not to install OS X. However it's still possible to install OS X from a different Mac using Target Disk Mode (you can get Firewire cables for not too high a price).

 

[BulmaSMG]

You can use the CD Drive with USB but not to install OS X. However it's still possible to install OS X from a different Mac using Target Disk Mode (you can get Firewire cables for not too high a price).

I don't have any Firewire cables anywhere. My OS X install is passed the booting from CD stage. Will the USB work? Or will it not work until it's fully installed?

 

[glutenenvy]

I have the one that Wikipedia says is from 2004. I think I'm SOL because I don't own anything firewire. I think it may be time to say bye to my eMac. I'm investing in a Mini but I really liked the idea of having my eMac around for classic support.

What do you need to run on the old machine that doesn't have an equivalent cost effective solution on the new equipment?

 

[BulmaSMG]

What do you need to run on the old machine that doesn't have an equivalent cost effective solution on the new equipment?

I'm trying to switch over from using PC's and it's the only Mac I own. I'm investing in a Mini at the moment. I liked having the Mac around and was only using my PC to play DVD's before I had to reinstall OS X. I'm not really willing to spend anymore money to get it fixed. I was just wondering if I could fix it with what I have. I have CD drives but I don't think I have the skills to get to the current one inside of the eMac.

edit:

I didn't read what you quoted but I assume you were asking what classic apps I need to run. Just games.

 

[Intell]

eMacs, like all USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 equipped PowerPC Mac, can boot from a USB device. If it is a older USB 1.1 model, you can boot it up from a USB device via the boot manager (option at boot). If it is a newer USB 2.0 model, you have to start it up via a OpenFirmware command. Just remember, it will be slow over USB and even slower still over USB 1.1.

 

[glutenenvy]

I didn't read what you quoted but I assume you were asking what classic apps I need to run. Just games.

Makes sense. Old games tend to be locked into old equipment. I'd ask this question then, "Is nostalgia worth the effort of keeping the machine running even though you are likely going to put it in a closet forever?"

 

[BulmaSMG]

eMacs, like all USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 equipped PowerPC Mac, can boot from a USB device. If it is a older USB 1.1 model, you can boot it up from a USB device via the boot manager (option at boot). If it is a newer USB 2.0 model, you have to start it up via a OpenFirmware command. Just remember, it will be slow over USB and even slower still over USB 1.1.

I have the USB 2.0 model. Could you tell me how to get everything going? I have to use a Windows machine to do the work.

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Makes sense. Old games tend to be locked into old equipment. I'd ask this question then, "Is nostalgia worth the effort of keeping the machine running even though you are likely going to put it in a closet forever?"

Haha that's funny because I actually did throw it in my closet.

It's no big deal for me I like working with computers and I can learn something from each job I have to do.

 

[Intell]

I have the USB 2.0 model. Could you tell me how to get everything going? I have to use a Windows machine to do the work.

Use a search engine to find out the commands to get it to boot via OpenFirmware from a USB device.

 

[BulmaSMG]

Use a search engine to find out the commands to get it to boot via OpenFirmware from a USB device.

Thanks I'll look into it.

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Use a search engine to find out the commands to get it to boot via OpenFirmware from a USB device.

I've found some good sites on it but I'm not sure how to get the files onto it with Windows...

 

[BulmaSMG]

Looks like the IDE/SATA to USB works. No extra work involved. Just plugged it in and everything is working fine.

Thanks to all that posted in this thread!