iBook G4 downgrade from 10.5.8 to 10.4.11

[Forrest]

I just received a 2005 12 inch iBook G4 1.33 GHz thru eBay. The machine is in very good condition, but has 10.5.8 installed along with a admin account and unknown password. 10.5.8 seems to boot more slowly on this machine than my iBook G3 700 MHz machine. Can I just boot off the universal 10.4 install DVD, reformat the drive and reinstall?

 

[Nixontheknight]

I just received a 2005 12 inch iBook G4 1.33 GHz thru eBay. The machine is in very good condition, but has 10.5.8 installed along with a admin account and unknown password. 10.5.8 seems to boot more slowly on this machine than my iBook G3 700 MHz machine. Can I just boot off the universal 10.4 install DVD, reformat the drive and reinstall?

I thought 10.5 only supported later G4s and G5s? and you should be able to, I don't see why you can't

 

[Forrest]

Having never used 10.5.8 on any of my Macs, just wondering if the unknown admin/password would be a problem.

 

[Daniël]

The password is OS-level only, it's not tied to the hardware in any way. Reinstalling Mac OS X is not a problem.

 

[kkritsilas]

Forrest

I have the same iBook G4 1.33GHz 12" that I also bought from eBay, and it also had 10.5.8 installed when I got it. Installing 10.4 is not a problem, but you may run into a problem with the earlier versions of 10.4.X, as the video chip isn't supported on versions 10.4.2 or earlier. 10.4.3 was fine. Be aware that 10.4.2 will install, but the machine will be unusable, with a extremely blurry screen, non working trackpad, and no wireless networking. So whatever version of 10.4.X/Tiger you install from must be version 10.4.3 or newer. Do not try to install 10.4.2 and assume that you will be able to upgrade to 10.4.11. I actually found a Youtube video on how to hack into the iBook G4 using an Open Firmware hack that worked just fine, and allowed the Administrator's password to be removed (I only did that to make sure the laptop was working fine, my intent was always to put it onto 10.4.11 because I wanted Classic mode to operate).

I also had a minor issue when installing 10.4.3 in that it will not install properly with the memory expansion slot filled with a 1GB RAM module. I ended up removing it, Installing 10.4.3, upgrading to 10.4.11, and then putting the 1GB RAM module back in, and its working just fine.

 

[mdeverhart]

The machine is in very good condition, but has 10.5.8 installed along with a admin account and unknown password.

If the password is the only issue, you should be able to boot from a supported install CD/DVD and reset the password. My recollection is that it’s under the Utilities menu (or something like that) along with Disk Utility and some other tools.

 

[Forrest]

Appreciate the feedback from everyone. I found and downloaded the two original OSX 10.4.2 for this machine from Macintosh Garden. Both images are over 4.7 GB. I’ve never burned a DL disc before. What type will work of disks will work on this old iBook. Or can I make a bootable thumb drive - please recommend software to make the bootable thumb drive.

Could also do FireWire target disk mode?

 

[Forrest]

I think I answered my own question - FireWire target disk mode sounds the easiest solution

 

[kkritsilas]

Forrest:

I don't know if the 1.33 iBook G4 can read a DL disk. My iBook G4 has a Combo Drive, so it can read single layer DVDs, but not dual layer, and can only burn CDs. Yours may have been updated at some point, which I think was possible as either a build to order option, or later on by previous owners.

I think Firewire is the best way to go.

 

[paws]

If you want to change the admin password, boot into single-user mode (cmd+S), you should be dropped to a text prompt. Type "passwd" and hit enter. It will ask you twice for the new password. After that, type "reboot" and hit enter.

 

[Forrest]

Ok, thanks.
I was able to use FireWire Target Mode to wipe the drive and install OSX 10.4

 

[AssortedSordid]

Ok, thanks.
I was able to use FireWire Target Mode to wipe the drive and install OSX 10.4

I love target disk mode, it is so dank. It’s saved my butt a couple of times too hehe I especially like it because it makes imaging disks a breeze.