Instaling Tiger on an mSATA using a USB enclosure

[atalan4]

Hello,
Recently I bought a Zheino 120GB mSATA SSD Q3 and an adapter to replace the damaged hard drive on a powerbook G4 867MHz. After I assembled the powerbook and tried to install OS X 10.4 with no success. Since the machine didn’t recognized the mSATA I assumed the problem was due to the SSD format. I disassembled the powerbook again and now, using a usb enclosure adapter I am trying to install Tiger through an old desktop G4 computer. However, I get the following message “ Cannot install Mac OS X on this volume”. Any thoughts on how to solve this?

 

[eyoungren]

Have you formatted the drive before attempting the install?

The Tiger installer will have a Utilities menu where Disk Utility can be used to format it. Partition it as APM and then format it as HFS+ Journaled. Then try installing again.

 

[atalan4]

Have you formatted the drive before attempting the install?

The Tiger installer will have a Utilities menu where Disk Utility can be used to format it. Partition it as APM and then format it as HFS+ Journaled. Then try installing again.

My desktop has leopard installed so I format the disk as Mac OS Extended (journaled). My original idea was to install leopard but I have read that it is better to install Tiger an then upgrade.

 

[eyoungren]

My desktop has leopard installed so I format the disk as Mac OS Extended (journaled). My original idea was to install leopard but I have read that it is better to install Tiger an then upgrade.

I've never heard that. Doesn't mean you're wrong, just that it's not something I ever read about.

That said, I have a Zheino 128GB SSD in my 17" PowerBook running Leopard. However, what I did at the time was to attach my PB to my Quad via TDM and then used Carbon Copy Cloner to back the old drive up (as a disk image) to the desktop.

When my SSD arrived, I put the PB back into TDM (to the Quad) and simply used CCC to restore from the disk image to the SSD. Rebooting on the PB was as if nothing had happened.

Maybe that's an alternative for you, IDK?

 

[atalan4]

I've never heard that. Doesn't mean you're wrong, just that it's not something I ever read about.

That said, I have a Zheino 128GB SSD in my 17" PowerBook running Leopard. However, what I did at the time was to attach my PB to my Quad via TDM and then used Carbon Copy Cloner to back the old drive up (as a disk image) to the desktop.

When my SSD arrived, I put the PB back into TDM (to the Quad) and simply used CCC to restore from the disk image to the SSD. Rebooting on the PB was as if nothing had happened.

Maybe that's an alternative for you, IDK?

I will give it a try. Thank you!

 

[TheShortTimer]

I encountered a similar situation and after a process of elimination, it transpired that the SSD was faulty. Just something to consider. Do you have another SSD that you can test with the enclosure/your PowerBook?

 

[Amethyst1]

However, I get the following message “ Cannot install Mac OS X on this volume”.

If this persists after partitioning and formatting the drive correctly, bring up the Installer Log from the Window menu when the error occurs. What does it say?

 

[atalan4]

I encountered a similar situation and after a process of elimination, it transpired that the SSD was faulty. Just something to consider. Do you have another SSD that you can test with the enclosure/your PowerBook?

I don't have another SSD but it works fine as an external hard drive. Is this enough to consider the SSD in good condition?

 

[atalan4]

If this persists after partitioning and formatting the drive correctly, bring up the Installer Log from the Window menu when the error occurs. What does it say?

Is it necessary to partition the drive? This is a picture of what I get.

 

[Amethyst1]

Is it necessary to partition the drive

No, just one big partition is fine as long as it's in APM format.

But the problem is... Tiger will not install onto a drive attached via USB because PPC Macs cannot officially boot from USB. You have to install the drive internally, attach it externally via FireWire, or install Tiger on another drive it can boot from and then clone it over to the USB-attached drive.

If the PowerBook doesn't recognise the SSD when it's installed internally via an adapter, I'd check the adapter (which one is it?).

 

[atalan4]

No, just one big partition is fine as long as it's in APM format.

But the problem is... Tiger will not install onto a drive attached via USB because PPC Macs cannot officially boot from USB. You have to install the drive internally, attach it externally via FireWire, or install Tiger on another drive it can boot from and then clone it over to the USB-attached drive.

If the PowerBook doesn't recognise the SSD when it's installed internally via an adapter, I'd check the adapter (which one is it?).

Sorry I didn’t answer before. During the weekend I have more time to work on this project. Right now I am downloading Leopard an the idea is to install it in one of the partitions of a firewire 400 external drive. It is a long process and I don’t know if it is going to work. I will try your suggestions. This is the internal adapter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GRMUQRG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[atalan4]

... or install Tiger on another drive it can boot from and then clone it over to the USB-attached drive.

I finally was able to install Tiger following your suggestion. Now the fan seems to be the issue. It switches on every time I load an application. Does this mean I also need to change the fan? Are these fans the same for G4 PowerBooks from this period?

 

[Amethyst1]

Now the fan seems to be the issue. It switches on every time I load an application. Does this mean I also need to change the fan?

It's possible that the SSD runs substantially hotter than the original hard drive, causing the fan to switch on earlier and/or more often. First thing you can do is check the CPU temperature. If it's very high, I'd suggest replacing the thermal paste (if you haven't done so already). If the CPU temperature is fine, it may well be the SSD. You can then use a piece of software called "G4FanControl" to rise the SSD temperature threshold so that the fan will not switch on.

 

[atalan4]

It's possible that the SSD runs substantially hotter than the original hard drive, causing the fan to switch on earlier and/or more often. First thing you can do is check the CPU temperature. If it's very high, I'd suggest replacing the thermal paste (if you haven't done so already). If the CPU temperature is fine, it may well be the SSD. You can then use a piece of software called "G4FanControl" to rise the SSD temperature threshold so that the fan will not switch on.

I haven’t change the thermal paste. I will open the computer again and apply some. Since the fan is also making a strange noise I will try to find one on eBay. I will write again as soon I get some progress. Thank you for the suggestions.

 

[Amethyst1]

I haven’t change the thermal paste. I will open the computer again and apply some.

Good idea, since the 12" PowerBooks, especially the 867 MHz one, tend to run hot.

Since the fan is also making a strange noise I will try to find one on eBay.

Could be worn-out fan bearings, fan bearings in need of some lubrication, or a fan that is so caked with dust and dirt that it doesn't spin properly anymore. Definitely worth looking into.

 

[atalan4]

Good idea, since the 12" PowerBooks, especially the 867 MHz one, tend to run hot.


Could be worn-out fan bearings, fan bearings in need of some lubrication, or a fan that is so caked with dust and dirt that it doesn't spin properly anymore. Definitely worth looking into.

Hello! A couple of days ago I opened the computer again. After removing the fan I couldn't find where to lubricate it. Is it possible or it is sealed? There are some thermal pads bellow the processor. Should I changed them as well? Please see attached photo.

 

[ervus]

Now the fan seems to be the issue. It switches on every time I load an application.

Please look here:

PowerBook G4 12" Maintenance/Servicing

Hi everyone, I was wondering if there's any need for maintaining/servicing a PowerBook G4 in order to extend its lifespan? I've just started using mine again after a year – works fine, but I'm concerned that I'll run it into the ground, as I plan on using it much more than I did previously. I...

forums.macrumors.com

I think you have a broken solder joint on one of the heatsink mounts. This causes the CPU to overheat very quickly.

 

[atalan4]

Please look here:

PowerBook G4 12" Maintenance/Servicing

Hi everyone, I was wondering if there's any need for maintaining/servicing a PowerBook G4 in order to extend its lifespan? I've just started using mine again after a year – works fine, but I'm concerned that I'll run it into the ground, as I plan on using it much more than I did previously. I...

forums.macrumors.com

I think you have a broken solder joint on one of the heatsink mounts. This causes the CPU to overheat very quickly.

Thank you for the link. It has interesting information. Do you see the broken solder joint on the picture I attached before? Also, is it possible to lubricate this type of fan?