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mseed · Apr 9, 2005, 05:43 PM

I've got a 12" Powerbook G4. Just got my internal HD replaced by apple, and now trying to install OS X from the black install discs (10.3.2)--I don't have a copy of my original grey install CDs (specific to my 12" PB).

It stalls when I boot from the CD (hangs at the apple symbol).
If boot using OPTION key and select the install disc, I get a "do not enter" symbol.

Has anyone seen this? Is this an issue with the install CDs that I have? Is there a work around? I'm bootin up from an external HD in the meantime.

ChrisF · Apr 9, 2005, 06:06 PM

Originally posted by mseed:
I've got a 12" Powerbook G4. Just got my internal HD replaced by apple, and now trying to install OS X from the black install discs (10.3.2)--I don't have a copy of my original grey install CDs (specific to my 12" PB).

Did Apple not put an OS on the computer for you? That's very unusual.
In any case, it's most likely that the Powerbook shipped with something later than OS 10.3.2, so you'll be completely unable to use those to install the OS or boot your Powerbook.
Your best option may just be to clone the external drive onto your internal using Disk Utility or something like Carbon Copy Cloner.

fisherKing · Apr 9, 2005, 06:15 PM

u probably need at least 10.3.5 disks...
i''ve been thru this; the original osx disks did not work with my 12" alubook.

a drag!

replaced the osx disks, my diskwarrior disk, techtool pro...

all because the newer powerbooks have a new bootrom.

so it goes...

[APi]TheMan · Apr 11, 2005, 02:11 AM

Yep, I run into this all the time trying to fix Macs, some systems will only boot to the discs that came with them. It's very annoying sometimes.

starman · Apr 11, 2005, 07:33 AM

Originally posted by [APi]TheMan:
Yep, I run into this all the time trying to fix Macs, some systems will only boot to the discs that came with them. It's very annoying sometimes.

Maybe they can't boot from another machine's install discs, but every Mac that the OS supports should boot from the native black CDs. I've never seen a Mac refuse to boot from the native CDs.

Mike

Angus_D · Apr 11, 2005, 08:08 AM

Originally posted by [APi]TheMan:
Yep, I run into this all the time trying to fix Macs, some systems will only boot to the discs that came with them. It's very annoying sometimes.

Well, it's probably more accurate to say that systems will generally only boot OS discs that came with them OR NEWER. Changes to OS X are required to support new hardware, and if your hardware is newer than the OS X install CDs then the OS on the CDs won't have these changes.

[APi]TheMan · Apr 11, 2005, 09:37 AM

Originally posted by starman:
Maybe they can't boot from another machine's install discs, but every Mac that the OS supports should boot from the native black CDs. I've never seen a Mac refuse to boot from the native CDs.

That's what I always thought, but I'm not sure I've had the same experience. I know that some Quicksilvers will not boot from Panther discs. I work in a tech shop, so we have drawers and drawers full of install discs, so it's never been a problem.

mseed · Apr 16, 2005, 07:56 PM

Good tips everyone--thank-you. I finally got a hold of the grey 10.3.3 install discs for the 12" PBs and they boot fine!