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How to find the right software restore CDs/DVD for PowerBook G4?

retrofreak83

Active member
Dear all,

I bought a Titanium PowerBook G4 (PowerBook3,4) a while ago. I'd like to clean install it, and of course want to have the original software that came with it. I want to use this machine mainly with OS 9, for OS X I want to install the most recent version that's reasonable. However, I lack installation media.
I searched a long time to get hold of a set of media which looked like it is the correct one, but apparently it isn't. I booted from the software restore CD, which refuses to install anything because it is not supported on my computer.

I notice that archived CD packs can be found on the Internet, but they are all English, I'd like to have the German version.
I noticed that there is an identifier on the CD, reading: D691-3530-A. CD 2 of 2 says D691-3531-A.
Unfortunately, the OS 9 install CD (D691-3370-A) refuses to install also.
The identifier fore the whole media bundle is:
SW010902
D603-0124-B PowerBook G4 Media
DEUTSCH

I have to questions:
  • Frankly, I don't remember what exactly is on the software restore media. Maybe there aren't that important after all?
  • Maybe someone has the same model as me with a matching set of installation media and can tell me the numbers (or maybe archive the media?)
 

jeremywork

Well-known member
The PowerBook3,4 should work with this set:

I'm not finding anything when I search for a German version though. Maybe it's not as easy to find, or maybe this set includes all of the language pack files.

It's been a long time since I used one of the restore sets, but on the OS X side I think it should include the complete iLife suite beyond what the retail CDs will give you, some additional bundled software, and maybe some other bonuses. There's also extra bundled software for OS 9 if I recall. It may also include the final Mac OS ROM file found in the OS9General installation but not in retail discs, which can be a sticking point on the last OS 9 capable machines.
 

retrofreak83

Active member
OK, seems as if a working OS 9-CD would be enough, for OS X getting a retail copy of Tiger or so should be easier. I'll give the images a try, thanks for pointing them out :)
 

retrofreak83

Active member
I found what seems to be an image of a Tiger retail copy, that doesn't seem to be a problem.

My problem in fact is to find a German OS 9 :(
The OS 9 CD of the CD set you linked does not work quite well, since OS 9-CD is not bootable :(
I used the exact same way to burn it like a OS 9 CD from macos9lives.com, which works fine (but also has the problem that it is English only).

Macintosh Garden has an image of a German OS 9.1 at least, but a quick Google search revealed someone stating that the Titanium PowerBook will need 9.2 at least (it is also the version it shipped with, according to MacTracker).

Some people on the Internet claim that a 9.0ish version (9.0.4?) was the latest version available as retail, but this
at least does not look like a machine-specific version.

Any idea how I could proceed?
 
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