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Powerbook G4 Problem Boot
- Thread starter timbalada
- Start date
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When reinstalling OS X onto a Mac, one cannot use any media not designed for that computer. For example, I cannot use an iMac restore disk for my PowerBook G4 and vice versa, even though they both contain Mac OS X Tiger. Apple releases the initial retail version of OS X, which contains the files necessary to install on all Macs supported and made to that point. From there on Apple releases specialized builds of OS X when shipping a new computer. When the next version update comes around, that computer will be supported.
In summary, if I have a Mac OS X 10.3 disk that was purchased at retail, it will install on any supported Mac built until the release date of that disk. If I then purchased say a PowerMac G5 which ships with 10.3.7, then my 10.3 disk will either fail to start, fail to install, or crash all together. However, if Apple were to release a 10.3.8 or 10.3.9 disk, then my PowerMac would be supported for installation.
You need to get a disk made specifically for or made after your Mac was made.
In summary, if I have a Mac OS X 10.3 disk that was purchased at retail, it will install on any supported Mac built until the release date of that disk. If I then purchased say a PowerMac G5 which ships with 10.3.7, then my 10.3 disk will either fail to start, fail to install, or crash all together. However, if Apple were to release a 10.3.8 or 10.3.9 disk, then my PowerMac would be supported for installation.
You need to get a disk made specifically for or made after your Mac was made.
Actually, you can create a disk image of your iMac's install CD, and modify it so that the "bad machines" list does not contain whatever PowerBook G4 model you have, and you can add that model to the list of machines the disk works on, and then just burn a new copy of the CD, and it will be usable on your PB G4. But, you're right, you can't boot off of it without modifying it first.
I was trying to give the OP the most simplistic answer as that can get tedious and would probably result in them coming back with even bigger problems. However, since that is a very late model, they probably can't do that as they'd have the same issue even with modifications. Most iMac disks are before that PowerBook and later ones are Intel only.
The last model PowerBook G4 shipped with a specialized 10.4.2 image. Your options are either get a proprietary disk for Tiger, or use a Leopard disk.
Apple released Tiger retail discs with at least 10.4.3 that would be able to boot on timbalada's Powerbook without a problem. Finding one, would be the problem.
Some people are getting free/buying replacement PPC install discs from AppleCare. Call them and explain your situation and see if you get lucky. 
see if it works, say the outcome soon.
It will work provided you have a good file. That being said that is piracy since you say downloading and Leopard was never a digital download. Do you have a developer account you are downloading from, or getting it from the net? If the answer is the latter then you run the risk of corrupted files, slipstreamed custom disks, and again it would be piracy.
Downloaded on the Internet OS 10.5 Retail also more not install, on desktop it recognizes the DVD to run the autorun, but not of the notebook Boot ejects the DVD. I give up, I'll stick with the system that is installed on it.
Thank you all.
Thank you all.