Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

antonio · Jun 5, 2004, 10:36 AM

i just bought a used iBook g4 (800mhz) and i was in the process of doing a clean install of the factory sys software (10.3.2) when i got an error, saying disk 1 had scratches and couldn't be installed. cleaned it, wiped it, threaten it, promised it diamonds - and it still gives me an error msg. so now i had a unusable iBook since i wiped the drive. so i tried installing the factory software from my wife's iBook to at least allow me to use the iBook until could figure out what the problem is (10.2). i keep getting a flashing question mark that alternates with a smily folder, the drive spins up, but does not load the software, and doing a restart with the C key down doesn't help either (same spin up spin down cycle of disk drive occurs). when i try the flawed install disk, it reads and attempts to load it, but of course, i get an error (i click on 'skip' the media check, but i still get nailed half way through the install with an error msg.

what gives? are the 10.2 install disks too 'old' for the g4 iBook to read? if i buy a retail copy of Panther, will it work?

any suggestions would be highly appreciated (the deal i got on the iBook is turning out to be not such a great deal afterall).

thanks

SupahCoolX · Jun 5, 2004, 12:01 PM

I think G4 iBooks require at least Panther. Jaguar came out quite a while ago and doesn't support newer hardware.
Maybe you can call Apple or bring the disc to a local Apple Store. I'm sure they would try to help you out with a new one.

antonio · Jun 5, 2004, 12:57 PM

thanks! makes sense, i'll head over to the apple store and see if they have pity on me.

in the event they say no, anyone here from nyc with a set of system restore disks (i only need to use disk 1 10.3.2) that i could borrow for 15 minutes while i buy you a coffee and cheescake at the local starbucks?

wataru · Jun 5, 2004, 01:42 PM

Originally posted by antonio:
in the event they say no, anyone here from nyc with a set of system restore disks (i only need to use disk 1 10.3.2) that i could borrow for 15 minutes while i buy you a coffee and cheescake at the local starbucks?

Now that's a way to make friends.

I'd offer to help, but last time I checked, Madison, WI wasn't anywhere near NYC.

I'm sure the Apple Store will help though. Good luck.

antonio · Jun 6, 2004, 08:58 PM

you guys were right! took it over to the friendly genius at the Palisades Mall Apple Store and they did a clean install while i went and had dinner. i was told apple will ship me a new set of install disks for a resonable charge. cool beans!

tonglokman · Jun 16, 2004, 04:31 AM

Wanted to format then install Panther on the iBook drive

Booting from a retail copy of Panther, just gives me a grey Apple.. then it stops.. no noise, crash or error.. i'm then forced to restart.
a PowerBook G4 (15") dvd.. get a grey Apple.. then it crashes..
can only successfully boot using the dvd which came with the iBook OS version 10.3.3
not really a major issue for me, but was curious to see if an earlier version of an OSX cd/dvd could boot the iBook G4.