[Mtneer]

I have a 10 year old iMac G3 that I would like to upgrade to run Tiger, OS X 10.4, and have several issues/problems to solve. Here is the iMac info:
G3 CRT ( summer 2001, snow)
OS 9.2 (not currently connected to the Internet)
Processor: PowerPC 600 Mhz
RAM: 256 MB
HD 40 GB
slot loading CD-RW-IDE
#1. Firmware. I realize the firmware may need to be upgraded to 4.1.9 but have been unable to find out what version the machine now has. The information always says to click the Apple Icon to get "about this Mac" but this shows nothing. Other directions says the info is on page 1 of the "Apple Systems Profiler" but this also shows nothing concerning the firmware version. Is it possible to go into the systems folder somehow to get this info? Also, since the machine is not currently connected to the Internet can I download the Firmware upgrade to the desktop of my iBook, transfer it to a flash drive then on to the desktop of the iMac and then perform the installation?
#2. Tiger CD's. I have been unable to find the OS X 10.4 Tiger CD's. Apple does not sell them anymore. Is it possible to use the CD's that came with my MacBook which is running 10.4.11?
The information printed on the three CD's is as follows:
CD # 1. iMac, Mac OS X Install
Mac OS version 10.1
CD version 1.0
2Z691-3331-A
CD #2 Mac OS version 9.2.1
CD version 1.1
691-3414-A
CD #3 iMac, Applications
CD version 1.4
691-3330-A
In addition to these three CD's I also have a set of three "Software Restore", which may or may not be of any use to my iMac.
Any information that can be furnished will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, BillD

[P]

Originally Posted by Mtneer 

I have a 10 year old iMac G3 that I would like to upgrade to run Tiger, OS X 10.4, and have several issues/problems to solve. Here is the iMac info:
G3 CRT ( summer 2001, snow)
OS 9.2 (not currently connected to the Internet)
Processor: PowerPC 600 Mhz
RAM: 256 MB
HD 40 GB
slot loading CD-RW-IDE

I would advice you to upgrade the RAM to at least 512 MB and preferably more before installing 10.4.

Originally Posted by Mtneer 

#1. Firmware. I realize the firmware may need to be upgraded to 4.1.9 but have been unable to find out what version the machine now has. The information always says to click the Apple Icon to get "about this Mac" but this shows nothing. Other directions says the info is on page 1 of the "Apple Systems Profiler" but this also shows nothing concerning the firmware version. Is it possible to go into the systems folder somehow to get this info?

Here is how you find it - two different ways.

Originally Posted by Mtneer 

Also, since the machine is not currently connected to the Internet can I download the Firmware upgrade to the desktop of my iBook, transfer it to a flash drive then on to the desktop of the iMac and then perform the installation?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Mtneer 

#2. Tiger CD's. I have been unable to find the OS X 10.4 Tiger CD's. Apple does not sell them anymore. Is it possible to use the CD's that came with my MacBook which is running 10.4.11?
The information printed on the three CD's is as follows:
CD # 1. iMac, Mac OS X Install
Mac OS version 10.1
CD version 1.0
2Z691-3331-A
CD #2 Mac OS version 9.2.1
CD version 1.1
691-3414-A
CD #3 iMac, Applications
CD version 1.4
691-3330-A

This does not make sense. A Macbook might have come with 10.4.11, but that is the disc set for a much older Mac - probably that very iMac 600 MHz you're working on now. It will work, but it will install 10.1, not 10.4. Tiger discs are sometimes available on eBay.

[Waragainstsleep]

Tiger from a MacBook will not work anyway. Its x86 and you want PPC.

You need the black retail Tiger CDs/DVD to be sure it will work 100%. It will install on 256MB RAM but more is better.

[Mtneer]

Thanks for the reply, but what does " x86 and PPC" mean ??

[Big Mac]

Intel versus PowerPC processor types. Apple switched to Intel beginning in 2006. A restore disc from a MacBook won't work for you because it will only contain the Intel installer OS and installation files.

[Laminar]

Install CDs are available on eBay but appear to be fairly expensive. Be sure you're getting the install CDs and not the DVD.

[Waragainstsleep]

CDs were pretty rare even with Tiger. As I recall they were special order.

[P]

Originally Posted by Waragainstsleep 

CDs were pretty rare even with Tiger. As I recall they were special order.

Good point - and that model iMac doesn't boot from USB, I think. Tricky - you'd need a Firewire HD or external DVD, or those elusive CDs.