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Please help: I'm having a series of problems trying to install Leopard on my imac g4

L

lolwatpear

macrumors member
Original poster
May 11, 2013
46
6
I've been trying to do this for hours, but I've not found a solution. I simply want to install Leopard on my g4, but the horrible compatibility of this machine with the newer technologies is preventing me from doing so. I really do not want to spend any more money trying to get it on this old computer. This is what I've tried so far:

1. I was going to do it by disc. The problem is that my DVD drive appears to be unable to read DVDs anymore. I then remembered I had some IDE drives, but sadly recalled I threw them out, thinking I wouldn't need them.

2. Second option is to use firewire, however, I have no firewire cable, or any firewire harddrive. I've never even used firewire in my life.

3. Third option is USB with a .dmg? I'm in the process of using this guide (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1112834/), but why would this work? I thought you can't boot from usb with a powerpc imac? I'm currently transfering the large disk .dmg's which is why I don't know if it works yet.

Does anyone have a working solution? I'd consider spending some money, but I really rather not.
 
Last edited:
tom vilsack said:
Couple questions first...

-what PowerPC model is your G4?
-how much ram does it have installed?
Click to expand...

Is this enough info?

Hardware Overview:

Machine Name: iMac
Machine Model: PowerMac6,1
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (3.3)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB
Memory: 768 MB
Bus Speed: 133 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.5.8f1

and it appears I don't have USB 2.0 with this model as it doesn't say high speed BUS.
 
asked to make sure it was even up to running leopard (I personally would stick with tiger,but understand)

-do you have access to another powerpc?
 
tom vilsack said:
asked to make sure it was even up to running leopard (I personally would stick with tiger,but understand)

-do you have access to another powerpc?
Click to expand...

no, I just have a hackintosh and PC. I found out the DVD reading capabilities aren't the problem, it's just that it won't read dual layers.
 
lolwatpear said:
I've been trying to do this for hours, but I've not found a solution. I simply want to install Leopard on my g4, but the horrible compatibility of this machine with the newer technologies is preventing me from doing so. I really do not want to spend any more money trying to get it on this old computer. This is what I've tried so far:

1. I was going to do it by disc. The problem is that my DVD drive appears to be unable to read DVDs anymore. I then remembered I had some IDE drives, but sadly recalled I threw them out, thinking I wouldn't need them.

2. Second option is to use firewire, however, I have no firewire cable, or any firewire harddrive. I've never even used firewire in my life.

3. Third option is USB with a .dmg? I'm in the process of using this guide (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1112834/), but why would this work? I thought you can't boot from usb with a powerpc imac? I'm currently transfering the large disk .dmg's which is why I don't know if it works yet.

Does anyone have a working solution? I'd consider spending some money, but I really rather not.
Click to expand...

Follow this how-to to install Leopard from a usb in a powerpc. It worked for me with a iBook G4. Important: You have to get a copy of retail Leopard (not the one that came with an Intel mac, for example).

Good luck!
 
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