[MushStar]

I don't know how to do this so I'm just gonna throw it all out there. I am new to Macs and I bought a PowerMac G3 Yosemite B&W (I think) nearly a year ago on eBay. When I bought it, it was running a 10.1 operating system (again, I think). I bought some Powerbook software to upgrade to a 10.3.8. Then I bought Garageband software which required a faster processor. So I bought an Encore ZIF G3/G4. The processor software had to be installed on a 9.2 operating system. I bought 9.2 software, installed it, and set my system back to Mac OS 9. I tried to install the Powerbook software but it says something like alias not found. So I went ahead and put the ZIF in. It worked fine, but the Garageband software requires Mac OS X. So I uninstalled the ZIF and I've been using the boring Mac OS 9 for the past few months.

So, is there anyway to get Mac OS X back on my system with the Mac OS 9 as well as the ZIF so I can use my Garageband?

[jamil5454]

By this time I would have just given up and bought a Mac Mini.

[MushStar]

Unfortunately, this was all purchased before the mini's release but it only cost a little more than the mini. I'm also a little paranoid about computers. The smaller it is, the less I trust it. Crazy, I know. This is why I have 3 desktops and no laptop.

[new newton]

The sad part is that when you do get this old, cobbled together machine working you're not going to be happy with how Garage Band runs on it.

At this point you should install 10.1, and then attempt to install 10.3.

[chefpastry]

When you installed OS 9, did you get rid of OS X? If not, try the following:

1. Click the Apple logo in the upper left hand corner.
2. Scroll down to Control Panel.
3. Select Startup Disk.
4. Choose OS X.
5. Restart.

Also, if the ZIF was working fine, there's really no reason to remove it. You can leave it in since it's probably faster than your original CPU.

[MushStar]

Originally Posted by new newton

The sad part is that when you do get this old, cobbled together machine working you're not going to be happy with how Garage Band runs on it.

At this point you should install 10.1, and then attempt to install 10.3.

So I have to get 10.1 software to reinstall the 10.3 software?

Originally Posted by chefpastry

When you installed OS 9, did you get rid of OS X? If not, try the following:

1. Click the Apple logo in the upper left hand corner.
2. Scroll down to Control Panel.
3. Select Startup Disk.
4. Choose OS X.
5. Restart.

Also, if the ZIF was working fine, there's really no reason to remove it. You can leave it in since it's probably faster than your original CPU.

I completely uninstalled OS X. I took out the ZIF because the instructions say to install Mac OS X before the ZIF.

[new newton]

If you've got it, yes. Keep in mind that you're largely wasting your time if GB is what you want to run.

[Lateralus]

There was no reason for you to have uninstalled OS X.

But now that it's gone, you shouldn't have any problem getting OS X back on. Using a machine specific disc, like your PowerBook CD, on a machine it isn't intended for isn't the smartest idea but it usually works. The ZIF installation has nothing to do with you not being able to boot from it now.

And yeah, if the ZIF works, leave it in. Forget the instructions.

[MushStar]

Originally Posted by new newton

If you've got it, yes. Keep in mind that you're largely wasting your time if GB is what you want to run.

Alright. So what would be the best system for it?

[Big Mac]

Garage Band requires horse power. Sometimes it feels weighty on my G5 DP 2.0.

[new newton]

I wasn't real thrilled with it on a G4/933 with 1.1GB of memory. The best system for it? Easy. A Quad. The best machine for you depends upon your budget.