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I have a G4 Powerbook which is running on Panther. I need to get my screen fixed and was hoping to use my old G3 powerbook (running on 9.2) as a back up which means that I would have to install my OS X system on it. Is that possible? What do you recomend? I just need to be able to access my .mac account and some files.
Thanks.
Tom

All G3 Powerbooks (except for the very first one, the one that looks like a PowerBook 3400) run OS X just fine.

What PowerBook do you have? Wallstreet? Pismo? How much memory do you have installed?

What's your definition of a ‘backup' machine?

Mac OS X versions 10.0, 10.1, and 10.2 will run on any Powerbook G3, excluding the original Powerbook G3 (codenamed Kanga, looks like a Powerbook 3400).

Mac OS X version 10.3 (Panther) will only run on Lombard and Pismo, which are code names for the last two models of Powerbook G3 that can be easily identified by the built-in USB ports on the laptops, and the solid white Apple logo on the back of their lids.

These newer machines have the New World Open Firmware ROMs required to run Panther.

What do you want to do with it in any case?

What kind of backup is it supposed to be? A backup working machine in case your other one breaks down for some reason?

Yeah. I have to get my screen fixed on my G4. So I'll use it as my back up.