imac running ubuntu, trying to install os x...

[dalek g]

I'm trying to get an old imac set up so our housemate will stop using (and screwing up) my wife's G4. Its running ubuntu, and his annoying websites (aim, youtube, myspace) wont work w/o Flash, so I've been tearing my hair out trying to install Panther. (i tried all the ubuntu flash workarounds, nothing worked)
I initially tried to install using the panther install cd's and it said I needed to run a firmware update. Then the picture tube on the imac died, so I brought it back to the shop I got it from to get it fixed. In the interim my brother-in-law sent me a dmg of OS 9.2.1 to run the firmware update.
Now 2 weeks later the shop i got it from gave me a new box (same specs) with the original hdd, so I'm trying again to get os x installed.
I burned the dmg using Disk Utility on the G4, and all i get when booting from it on the imac is a flashing question mark diskette icon. I burned another disc using different media, same thing. I tried to boot from the Panther disc, and it no longer sees a destination volume. I see that I can erase the hdd to make it a valid destination volume, but Im worried that then Ill still have to deal with the firmware update. And erasing a hdd ALWAYS makes me nervous.
*deep breath*
Any advice on how to proceed?

 

[aaronw1986]

I'm confused as why he cannot just use Ubuntu. Can't you have firefox with flash?

 

[dalek g]

adobe refuses to port flash to a linux system running on a power pc chip

 

[ltldrummerboy]

I just did this on a friend's G4 iBook. You have to boot using the Ubuntu CD. After you've done this, open the disk partitioner app. I'm not sure what they call it. Go ahead and format the HD to whatever you want. But the idea is that it will be completely empty. Then you turn your compy off, reboot while holding the eject or trackpad button to eject the disc, (I'm not sure which) and then you have only to insert your panther install discs on bootup. Obviously you'll have to use the PowerPC version of Ubuntu for the boot CD. And make sure you back everything up since you'll be formatting the drive.
http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ports/releases/feisty/release/
That's the link to the PowerPC Ubuntu download site. The last supported version of Ubuntu was 7.0.4. I hope all this works for you. Good luck!

Edit: Upon rereading your post, I realized that it was actually only the first time I read it. I guess I should slow down. I thought you were trying to remove Ubuntu and put OS X on but couldn't. Here is my revised advice: tell this moocher to get their own computer! Sorry about not being a help. This forum may have some answers.
http://www.mac-help.com/forums/showthread.php?p=17316