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Update from Install disk? G5 - 10.5
- Thread starter SpeQ
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I will now partially answer my own question. Apparently the DVD looks for identification on the machine it is installing to. If it is not the correct model, it will not work. There are workarounds, but a little risky for my skill level. Not sure it's even worth the trouble anyway.
I didn't get a clear answer about whether it would wipe the machine, but I got the impression that it would not.
I didn't get a clear answer about whether it would wipe the machine, but I got the impression that it would not.
The Leopard DVD that shipped with your mini (usually labeled as such) will not install on a different Mac model.
If you had the commercial Leopard installer (or a copy of that DVD
), you could certainly use that to upgrade your PowerMac G5 to Leopard. Installing Leopard does not wipe your drive (unless you choose to do that). The installer will simply install the system, updating whatever needs updating in the Apple-default software. The upgrade would not affect whatever else is on your drive, unless some of your apps need updating to run on Leopard.
If you had the commercial Leopard installer (or a copy of that DVD
), you could certainly use that to upgrade your PowerMac G5 to Leopard. Installing Leopard does not wipe your drive (unless you choose to do that). The installer will simply install the system, updating whatever needs updating in the Apple-default software. The upgrade would not affect whatever else is on your drive, unless some of your apps need updating to run on Leopard.I have downloaded the 10.5.6 installer from this site. Burned to a dual-layer DVD-R.
Used that to make a copy of the bootable Leopard installer on an external SSD.
It's a good process that results in a faster install than from a DVD.
I have several drives with sets of macOS installers, anything from Tiger to Big Sur.
Used that to make a copy of the bootable Leopard installer on an external SSD.
It's a good process that results in a faster install than from a DVD.
I have several drives with sets of macOS installers, anything from Tiger to Big Sur.
I downloaded the file, but I don’t have dual layer DVDs.
I have a 20GB flash drive, but I’ve read the Power PCs don’t always boot from USB without “fiddling with Open Firmware.”
I don't have an SSD.
I have a redundant 2TB HDD with Firewire800. I could format that. The G5 has Firewire800.
I also could connect my old mini to the G5 via Firewire800 (or Ethernet?) and boot in Target Disk Mode? (I've never done that before)
I'm pretty much clueless how to proceed. I've done a lot of research/reading, but a lot of what I read is not applicable, or over my head, or both.
If you could tell me which would be the EASIEST method and/or point me to some step-by-step instructions or search terms that would lead me there, I would be most appreciative. My experience with Terminal is limited to copy/paste/enter basically.
I imagine I will only do this once in my life, so the BEST method doesn't really matter, and speed is not an issue either.
I'm not in dire need of updating the machine. I've just always loved it. It's like tinkering with an old muscle car. It's inefficient, but it's beautiful.
What I have done: small capacity SATA SSD, such as a 120GB. Remove the hard drive from your "redundant" Firewire drive, and install the SSD in the case. All you need is the SATA connections, the SSD is so small and light that I don't try to use any screws, just get the SSD connected inside the Firewire drive enclosure. Connect the drive (which now has the SSD installed) to the Mac firewire port. From the Disk Utility, make a small partition -- 8 GB is great for this. Now, you can Restore (using your Disk Utility) the installer .dmg to the partition that you just created. (The installer image will be the source for the restore, and the "new" partition is the destination. Might take about 10 minutes, and should finish with the installer as a bootable partition. Boot your G5 to that partition, and run the installer. Should work -- without the nonsense of getting it to boot to a USB device. Firewire should "just work"
I started a new thread last night. Sorry I didn’t see your comment until this morning.
I did basically what you’re suggesting here, only using a HDD instead of an SSD. It didn’t work. The G5 recognized the installer enough to let me select it for the startup drive through system preferences, but it wouldn’t boot from it. It just went to the login screen. I tried several times. The installer drive stayed selected as the startup disk in system preferences the whole time. I also tried holding down ‘option’ during startup, but the installer drive wasn’t shown, just the G5 HD. When I select the installer drive in Disk Utility, it says it’s bootable.
I don’t have an SSD, and I don’t want to risk screwing up the HDD. It’s only redundant in that the files on it are also on two other backup/storage drives. I’ve just temporarily wiped it and will replace the files after.
That external drive has a SATA port. I’m going to rummage around and see if I have a connector. I should also have a USB to SATA adapter here somewhere. If I can’t get that to work, I’ll look into buying some DVDs.
I did basically what you’re suggesting here, only using a HDD instead of an SSD. It didn’t work. The G5 recognized the installer enough to let me select it for the startup drive through system preferences, but it wouldn’t boot from it. It just went to the login screen. I tried several times. The installer drive stayed selected as the startup disk in system preferences the whole time. I also tried holding down ‘option’ during startup, but the installer drive wasn’t shown, just the G5 HD. When I select the installer drive in Disk Utility, it says it’s bootable.
I don’t have an SSD, and I don’t want to risk screwing up the HDD. It’s only redundant in that the files on it are also on two other backup/storage drives. I’ve just temporarily wiped it and will replace the files after.
That external drive has a SATA port. I’m going to rummage around and see if I have a connector. I should also have a USB to SATA adapter here somewhere. If I can’t get that to work, I’ll look into buying some DVDs.
I have a Seagate external drive where I can install a bootable system, but it won't actually boot my Mac. It works fine as a storage drive, but booting apparently is not supported by the firmware on the drive enclosure.
Yes, it appears as a bootable system in the Startup Disk pane, and I can select it to make it the default drive. But, it won't actually boot, despite the fact that Disk Utility reports it as "bootable" - I have tried a number of times, with a range of different OS X systems, won't boot to anything. It's a Seagate 8TB Backup plus hub drive. (I have a selection of other drives that all boot fine, so one that can't boot a Mac is a non-issue for me)
Yes, it appears as a bootable system in the Startup Disk pane, and I can select it to make it the default drive. But, it won't actually boot, despite the fact that Disk Utility reports it as "bootable" - I have tried a number of times, with a range of different OS X systems, won't boot to anything. It's a Seagate 8TB Backup plus hub drive. (I have a selection of other drives that all boot fine, so one that can't boot a Mac is a non-issue for me)