So any tips on how I might be able to fix it?
Failing that any ideas on how I can get an OS installed?
I found a FireWire 800 to 400, can I use Target disc mode on an intel Mac?
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PowerBook G4 Ti help?
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So any tips on how I might be able to fix it?
Failing that any ideas on how I can get an OS installed?
I found a FireWire 800 to 400, can I use Target disc mode on an intel Mac?
I’m glad it arrived for the weekend!
So, if your Intel Mac has a DVD drive, pop the install disc in then shutdown and start up in TDM mode by holding the T key. Connect the two Macs using FW (stepped down to 400) and boot the TiBook while holding the option key to see the multiboot screen and select the installer disc over FireWire.
If that doesn’t work for you then you can restore the install .iso onto a USB thumb drive and then drop into Open Firmware on the TiBook to boot from USB via OF command (a quick google search should get you the correct command). I have found older PowerPCs have some compatibility issues with certain USB thumb drives. The rule that has been most reliable for me has been to use older USB 2.0 rated drives and not 3.0/3.1.
Does the 1Ghz TI G4 take the same hinges ? Where can I find new hinges fir mine that I just purchased off eBay ?
I have previously bought the left and right hinges individually on eBay shipped from all around the world. In hindsight, it might have been cheaper to obtain a non-working unit where the hinges were intact.
Or if you are keen, you can try a repair like @galgot at https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/titanium-hinge-madness-lots-of-picts.2239173/
Edit: yes the hinges are compatible across all TiBooks.
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Can I install from a thumb drive? I thought the Mercury PowerBook G4 only had USB 1.1, would that limit that?
You Aussies are awesome!
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Have You got another PPC, that can boot into os9? Then you could invert @AphoticD 's suggestions and set the TiBook into target mode, start the installer disk on another PPC-Mac and install os9 to the attached TiBook (which is then in TDM).
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well I’m going to try and track down a FireWire cable today (not sure how much luck I’ll have). I’ve got a copy of tiger and I was intending to install that using my partners 2011 MacBook Pro which still has FireWire 800. Unfortunately my last PowerPC was an eMac with capacitor issues that I got rid of 10 years ago.
Good news!
The battery works, I left it over night and it seems to hold a charge. I can also use the disc drive in the MacBook Pro in target disc mode. I don’t expect leopard to install, I just happened to have a retail disc.
The battery works, I left it over night and it seems to hold a charge. I can also use the disc drive in the MacBook Pro in target disc mode. I don’t expect leopard to install, I just happened to have a retail disc.
Does any one have a link to a good copy of Tiger? The one I downloaded from the Macintosh Garden doesn’t seem to work, I’ve burnt it to a DVD-R of that info is of any use.
It seems to be stuck on the screen below, has been for 20 minutes.
It seems to be stuck on the screen below, has been for 20 minutes.
I've used the Tiger_4_6 image from there without issues. Did the burn verify successfully? Boot with Command-V held down to see what is going on. I don't see your pic btw.
I used command-v as you suggested and sure enough it’s now installing.
Thanks heaps.
So the install got stuck when it was installing Japanese. It became somewhat unresponsive and so I forced shut it down.
Since I have been having troubles getting it to boot. If I hit the power it will boot as usual to the Mac and question mark. But if I use the option key then it will sometimes launch options, but more often the display will stay black.
Currently it won’t load options and if hit the refresh then it sends me into open firmware.
I’m not sure what to do?
Since I have been having troubles getting it to boot. If I hit the power it will boot as usual to the Mac and question mark. But if I use the option key then it will sometimes launch options, but more often the display will stay black.
Currently it won’t load options and if hit the refresh then it sends me into open firmware.
I’m not sure what to do?
Could be an iffy DVD drive. Can you try installing Tiger using your MBP's DVD drive (using the MBP in TDM)?
Also, unless you need them, I'd suggest doing a custom install & deselecting all unnecessary localisations. Speeds up install & saves space. I do the same with the extra fonts & printer drivers.
Also, unless you need them, I'd suggest doing a custom install & deselecting all unnecessary localisations. Speeds up install & saves space. I do the same with the extra fonts & printer drivers.
Thats cute - a G4 Titanium with its big brother, the Macbook Pro lending a helping hand
I’m using the MBP DVD drive already, the PowerBook’s makes a very unhealthy noise. My problem now is that it puts me into open firmware when ever I try clicking the boot option screen and I can’t seem to get out other then shut down.
It works on USB 1.1. It's just not "supported" like Firewire, but you can work around this by using the Open Firmware CLI.
Take a read through this thread for some tips to get it working:
Installing OS X without using a CD
From my experience, the only pre-Intel Mac that officially supported USB booting (by holding the option key) was the original clamshell iBook due to it’s lack of FireWire. I imagine there were others, but for the most part, PowerPC Macs can typically only boot from USB via the Open Firmware...
forums.macrumors.com
Why would holding the option key not work when booting? It will chime but the screen will remain black, I can't boot to open firmware either. Target disk mode somewhat works but only sometimes and if I power on without holding down keys.
Could there be a firmware issue?
Could there be a firmware issue?
A few things you could try:
1. Reset PRAM by holding Cmd-Opt-P-R at power on until it chimes a 2nd time
2. Reset PMU by holding in the reset button at the rear access panel for 5 seconds.
3. It's possible it could be a RAM issue which could be why the installation randomly failed. Try removing one DIMM, swap out for another and/or re-seat while swapping RAM positions.
so I’ve tried what you’ve suggested and I can get it to more reliably bring up boot options and open firmware.
I believe I must have had a bad ram stick. But my problems aren’t fixed.
The installer is stuck again and I’m not sure what to do now, particularly if I can’t install an operating system.
the disc is still spinning up, should I leave it and hope for a miracle?
It could be some sort of compatibility issue with Firewire TDM between the more modern and older tech.
Did you have any luck with the USB method? I have previously installed Tiger via USB stick on an iBook G3 and Lombard, so I imagine the TiBook would handle it just fine. I dedicated an old USB 1.1 rated 4GB drive which I found in my old bits and pieces from about '04 and it has been consistently reliable as a Tiger install drive.
Did you have any luck with the USB method? I have previously installed Tiger via USB stick on an iBook G3 and Lombard, so I imagine the TiBook would handle it just fine. I dedicated an old USB 1.1 rated 4GB drive which I found in my old bits and pieces from about '04 and it has been consistently reliable as a Tiger install drive.
I haven’t tried the USB method yet because haven’t found anything pre USB3.0 around yet.
I have a question.. I just ordered a USB 2.0 bus card for my G4 1GHZ Titanium - will I get true USB 2.0 ports ? The card has 2 USB 2.0 ports. I used to like USB 1.1 back in the days of PowerPC(early days) like 1999-2000, but now USB is siimply slow. As far as superdrives go, is there a faster one I can get which includes DVD-R DL write ?