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Help me get my G4 set up?

C

Chris230291

macrumors member
Original poster
Feb 22, 2011
90
0
Hello. I have a pile of bits here that were a G4. What i want to do is assemble it all and install OS X on it.

Is it as simple as connecting the HDD and DVD ROM to the motherboard with an install CD inserted? Theres already RAM in it.

What version of OS X should i be trying to install? I dont know what other questions to ask, but if you think i should know something, please tell me XD

Thanks
Chris
 
yeah, just like building any other computer.

connect the hardware to your logic board.

Install the latest version of OSX that you can. Probably Leopard (OS X 10.5)
 
Arh sweet, thanks man.
I was just worried because i saw a load of funny looking connecters, and i have nothing to connect them to lol.

I will give leopard a try, i think i have a retail disk someplace.

Thanks, i'll report back.
 
Ok so I'm all set up but I'm getting a kernel panic. Here's a pic...

Cloud2go%2028%20Feb%202012%2017:01.jpg


Do you have any ideas as to what could be causing this?

Thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:
My guess is that it's the install disk based on the top line?
I tried a Lion disk i made just to see, but that didn't even get recognised.
 
can't install lion on a machine that old....

if you have snow leopard, some people have had success installing the OS to a hard drive from a new machine, then putting the HDD in the old machine... perhaps that would work for you?
 
xxBURT0Nxx said:
can't install lion on a machine that old....

if you have snow leopard, some people have had success installing the OS to a hard drive from a new machine, then putting the HDD in the old machine... perhaps that would work for you?
Click to expand...

Before everybody tells it : Leopard (10.5) is the latest OS for powerpc.
 
You're either using an install disc that is too old for your Mac, a restore disc that is not for your model, or your install disc is scratched.
 
xxBURT0Nxx said:
can't install lion on a machine that old....

if you have snow leopard, some people have had success installing the OS to a hard drive from a new machine, then putting the HDD in the old machine... perhaps that would work for you?
Click to expand...

I think you mean Leopard OS X 10.5.

Snow Leopard dropped support for PowerPC.

You can definitely install 10.4 (tiger).
You may be able to install 10.5 (Leopard). It requires 866mhz cpu and 256mb of ram (i may be wrong about the ram).
People have had success using a Mac that meets the 10.5 requirements to install the OS onto a HDD, and then moving that HDD onto a Mac that is below the requirements. Some say it works great, others say it feels sluggish.
 
OK so i have worked out that it was the disk causing the kernel panic (for whatever reason). The disk i originaly used came with the first macbook pro, i just tried a second one that came with an iMac and that boots up just fine! However, now i get a message pop up after selecting my language saying, "Mac OS X cannot be installed on this computer".

Is this because my machine doesn't meet requirements? If im honest i only brought this machine for the case, im unsure on what bits it has. In the installer, "about this mac" is blanked out.

I'll see if i can find the ebay transaction for some details.
Edit: No details through ebay as the listing page no longer exists.
 
Last edited:
You can't install using the iMac's disc because you are not installing that on an iMac. You need a black retail disc, not a gray restore disc.
 
Is it really pirating if i already own several copies?
I mean i know it is technically, but im not one to get all technical :p
 
Chris230291 said:
Is it really pirating if i already own several copies?
I mean i know it is technically, but im not one to get all technical
Click to expand...

Yes. If you already own several copies, just use one of those. If they are all restore discs, you'll have to buy a retail disc.
 
minifridge1138 said:
I think you mean Leopard OS X 10.5.

Snow Leopard dropped support for PowerPC.

You can definitely install 10.4 (tiger).
You may be able to install 10.5 (Leopard). It requires 866mhz cpu and 256mb of ram (i may be wrong about the ram).
People have had success using a Mac that meets the 10.5 requirements to install the OS onto a HDD, and then moving that HDD onto a Mac that is below the requirements. Some say it works great, others say it feels sluggish.
Click to expand...
umm no... i said the exact same thing that you did. people have installed SL on a HDD and moved the HDD to an older machine. :confused:
 
I'm gonna go out and try it in a sec, Snow Leopard would probably just cripple it, right? I bet leopard doesn't run too good either? I really dont know what to expect because i have never seen it running.
 
Snow Leopard will not run on a G4 Mac. It needs an Intell CPU and it will not boot or run on a PowerMac G4.
 
Ok so when i try to boot from the disk i get the apple splash screen with the spiny wheel, but then it just hangs and the wheel freezes.

What should i do?
Thanks
 
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