I have a g5 power mac with 10.4 on it and I would like to downgrade to 10.3 for a couple various reasons. Is there a special way to do this?
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downgrading from 10.4 to 10.3
- Thread starter dadio2002
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You can't do it without a complete reinstall. Also, the machine will not let you install a version of the OS onto it that predates the Mac. So, if your Mac came with Tiger then it will not allow you to install Panther. 
You can't do it without a complete reinstall. Also, the machine will not let you install a version of the OS onto it that predates the Mac. So, if your Mac came with Tiger then it will not allow you to install Panther.
So your saying the only way is to make a copy of my harddrive then wipe the g5 out with clean install? If I do that, all my install apps are running with tiger. that will mess anything up I drag over to panther or cause any other potential problems
Yep. It's probably best to reinstall the apps manually in order to avoid any hassles later on. Do you have another drive you could install Panther on? That might be simpler and safer.
Seriously, I would just install panther on another cheap drive. Especially since you have a powermac. You never know when you will need a backup.
The OP's asking about how to downgrade to Panther, not whether or not he/she should upgrade to Leopard.
It's possible to do an archive and install in order to downgrade from Tiger to Panther according to this, but there might be some annoying complications. It's probably best to backup your documents and other files and then do an erase and install.
It's possible to do an archive and install in order to downgrade from Tiger to Panther according to this, but there might be some annoying complications. It's probably best to backup your documents and other files and then do an erase and install.
Actually you can run a previous OS but you'd have to use another machine to install it to an external drive (but you can't run Panther on Intel - obviously). For example I have an old Panther install on a Firewire drive (that was created with my PowerBook G4) and I am able to boot a newer G5 (dual 2.3 that only came with Tiger) into 10.3, I was pretty surprised it works though.Also, the machine will not let you install a version of the OS onto it that predates the Mac. So, if your Mac came with Tiger then it will not allow you to install Panther.
Depends on the machine; some will allow you to install a version older than what it included. For example, I was able to install Panther using Mini restore disks on a G4 Mini which originally included Tiger. This was without the help of a third machine.
I am so happy I kept Googling for answers. I won't embarrass myself by telling you the round about way I was going to down grade to Panther from Tiger, but I will say, you've helped me get out of the box. One can really dig deep during a think alone.
Many appreciations.
Patt
I am so happy I kept Googling for answers. I won't embarrass myself by telling you the round about way I was going to down grade to Panther from Tiger, but I will say, you've helped me get out of the box. One can really dig deep during a think alone.
Many appreciations.
Patt
While definitely not the "supported way" to do so, you can also hook up your G5 in target mode, delete the System folder, and install from there. It should give you the option to install on your old drive in "upgrade" mode. Just be sure when installing to use the same username as you used in Tiger. YMMV, but it always works for me. Make sure and backup b4 doing anything!