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armanistud · Aug 11, 2007, 08:01 PM

Hey guys, im 20, go to uni and have better things to do but im absolutely hooked on G3's atm lol.
so I picked up a G3/400 slot loading tangerine yesterday
-tried installing OSX i think its 10.4.9, but comes up with Panic Kernal

-has DVD and firewire, 256 memory so dont know what is wrong
-mac has 3 partions, each 4gb each ( sorry im new with new gen macs), i want to combine 2 of them, duno how. Dont have original CD/DVD's just have OSX original DVD's
-even tried to install OS 9.2.2, over 9.1.2, but it comes up with a error something like : cannot install over localised copy of OS, and wont install on other partitions, due to no OS in them
-copied the OS folder to the other partition and tried to install on there, comes up with same error

Any help would be appreciated

Grrr · Aug 11, 2007, 08:09 PM

If you just got the iMac, then I cant imagine it has any valuable data on it. Cant you just format and start from scratch? I would..
Boot from a system cd and run disc utility to erase/format.

Also, check and check again that your iMacs firmware is up to date. I seem to remember this being pretty essential on G3 iMacs. Particularly where running OS X is concerned.

While im here.. 10.4 will be a grim experience on that Mac, especially with only only 256mb of ram.
I would strongly recommend using 10.3 instead, and upping the ram to 512mb, or more if it will take it.

armanistud · Aug 11, 2007, 08:19 PM

I dont have System CD's, i just has OSX CD/DVD
-I have updated firmware, and yea im putting 2x 512 ram in it tonight (got told it will take it)
-is there any way of formatting without the CD, or getting hold of a CD?

Moonray · Aug 11, 2007, 08:21 PM

On a friend’s G3/400 iMac 10.4 is running fine. But there’s 1.25 GB RAM in there. As for 9.x you might need a full install CD.

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Grrr · Aug 11, 2007, 08:25 PM

Well, if it is a genuine OS CD, then it is a system CD and you should be able to boot from it. Hold down "C" while booting. If it wont boot from it, then its probably a borked disc, or a disc for a specific model of Mac, which is different to your iMac.
If it does boot, look for disc utility on the mounted cd, run it, and look for the format/erase options.

Good luck!

amazing · Aug 11, 2007, 08:26 PM

check with your uni tech support dept, they might have a site license for X and even some old OS 9 install disks hanging around.

good on the firmware front, 'cause installing X without updated firmware can brick the old G3 iMac

after that, it's ebay and craig's list

imitchellg5 · Aug 11, 2007, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by Moonray

On a friend’s G3/400 iMac 10.4 is running fine. But there’s 1.25 GB RAM in there. As for 9.x you might need a full install CD.

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How the heck did you get 1.25 Gb of RAM in that?

Eriamjh · Aug 11, 2007, 09:16 PM

Can't remember if the Tangerine iMac requires it, but other iMacs require OSX to be on the first 8GB partition. Not sure if that is your problem.

armanistud · Aug 11, 2007, 09:32 PM

-yea, im not sure about the partition problem, i would rather format the computer and install again with a 8 gig partition, problem is that i dont have the OS9 boot disc and my OS 10.4 disc, comes up with Panic Kernal when i try to start up with it

amazing · Aug 11, 2007, 10:04 PM

Mactracker says the 400 mhz G3 will take 1 GB RAM and supports HDs up to 128 GB (doesn't recognize anything over 128 GB.) Also says it will run 10.4. You can get Mactracker off versiontracker.com and it's very useful for reference.

If your OS X install disk won't work, it's likely not a "universal" install disk, otherwise it should work. You do have a Combo drive, right? one capable of playing DVDs? Because if you only have a CD-drive, then you're going to need an external firewire DVD drive (unless you've got OS X on CD..) Check the Apple System Profiler to see what you've got, or just stick a movie in.

armanistud · Aug 11, 2007, 10:25 PM

yea i have a combo drive

-now i think you have somethin there, the OS X 10.4 Dvd I think its from a completely different machine.
-now i have to go either buy or search for a universal OSX

amazing · Aug 11, 2007, 11:41 PM

well, you should still check with your uni about a site license for OS X and you also qualify for edu pricing at the campus bookstore or online edu vendor.

ebay is also worth exploring and keep your eyes open for a 100 GB HD on sale (the G3 iMac is fairly easy to open...)

Moonray · Aug 12, 2007, 04:45 AM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

How the heck did you get 1.25 Gb of RAM in that?

From what I remember it’s the original 256 MB plus a new 1 GB. Now that I re-read the Apple specs that say max 512 MB per slot it’s either that it took the 1 GB and Apple did not include them in the list because they weren’t available when that iMac came out or I was wrong and we put two 512 MB DIMMs in. I‘d have to look to be 100 % sure now.

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amazing · Aug 12, 2007, 04:37 PM

Apple specs admit to only 512 MB RAM, but it will take 1 GB. With a larger HD, it will make a very useful computer--or eventually, an iTunes music server.

armanistud · Aug 17, 2007, 01:52 AM

Hey guys, I used a ibook 10.4 DVD and it wouldn't let me install because it said the bundled software was for another machine, but i managed to uses the utilities to format the HD and re-partition it. So now im left with a Mac with no OS

OS X 10.4 sells for $230 :S any other suggestions?

analogika · Aug 17, 2007, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by Moonray

From what I remember it’s the original 256 MB plus a new 1 GB. Now that I re-read the Apple specs that say max 512 MB per slot it’s either that it took the 1 GB and Apple did not include them in the list because they weren’t available when that iMac came out or I was wrong and we put two 512 MB DIMMs in. I‘d have to look to be 100 % sure now.

2x512MB definitely works just fine.

I have no idea whether the iMac will take a 1GB PC100 stick (in fact, I didn't even know 1GB PC100 sticks even existed until about two minutes ago).

analogika · Aug 17, 2007, 03:04 AM

Originally Posted by armanistud

Hey guys, I used a ibook 10.4 DVD and it wouldn't let me install because it said the bundled software was for another machine, but i managed to uses the utilities to format the HD and re-partition it. So now im left with a Mac with no OS

OS X 10.4 sells for $230 :S any other suggestions?

1.) Boot the iMac in Target Disk Mode (hold down the "T" key when starting up), hook it up to the iBook via Firewire cable, and install 10.4 from there using the iBook Install disk.

2.) You're a student. Get the student-discounted version of 10.4.

3.) Or check on eBay for 10.4