Recent content by almeath

I still have the 2.5.1 ROM if anyone needs it - just send me a PM. :)

book123, I have sent you a link. If anyone else needs these files, send me a PM and I will give you the link.

I finally managed to obtain, from a second-hand dealer, a G4 sawtooth that boots up in 8.6. Yes, it is very fast. [:)] ]'> To be safe I sent the dealer a copy of my boot CD, which they tested in the machine before sale. It's an AGP system with boot rom 2.6f1 so I assume it is an early AGP...

Thanks ealex79, I just replied to your PM. We are referring to a hybrid system folder that was constructed using Mac OS 8.6 off an iMac restore CD and ROM 2.5.1. I'm certain that it would have worked if I actually had a sawtooth and not a gigbit ethernet G4. As we now know, M5183 is most...

If anyone needs ROM 2.5.1 or an ISO image for an entire G4 system restore CD with Mac OS 8.6, please PM me and I will be happy to provide you with the links. The ISO is about 380MB compressed in a ZIP file.

Then I assume a mainboard swap took place. All this time I was going on the model # listed on the case.

I'm currently trying to resolve the question of whether I actually have a gigabit ethernet G4, rather than an original sawtooth. Here is what I have found: (1) The label on the back of the machine: Model # M5183 Serial: SG0480BGK5V 400mhz / 1MB cache / 64MB / 20GB HD / DVD ROM / 56k /...

The date on my boot ROM is 8 August 2000 - definitely late in the producton run for a 400mhz model. I'm ready to run ROM update 2.4 (3.2.4) using open firmware, but I have a question... Can this process conceivably destroy my Mac - i.e. prevent it from booting at all, even into open firmware...

Thank you ccmac for your extremely detailed responses. I was tempted to put this one into the "too hard" basket, but this has roused my curiosity now. I'm going to keep at this for the challenge... It looks like I have ROM 3.3.4. If the 2.4 ROM update does correspond to 3.2.4 as you've...

No luck for me yet, with ROM 2.5.1. My machine (ID 406) doesn't want to work with a September 1999 G4 boot CD. It also doesn't want to work with a retail OS 8.6 install with ROM 2.5.1 dropped into the Sytem folder. I think my problem is either: (1) The CD I have was designed to only boot a PCI...

Thanks to everyone for their comments and suggestions. This is what I've found: Machine ID: 406 ROM Version: $77D.45F6 MacOS ROM file Version: 8.4 The ROM is apparently the same one used on the B&W G3 and many G3 iMacs. I'm going to try installing 8.6 (my generic retail copy) on a disk...

I see there was a firmware update listed for the sawtooth G4s in 2001. It says it is for improved compatibility with OS X. I'll need to learn how to use Open Firmware to see if that update has been applied. I still think its strange that a firmware update would render one's restore CD useless...

Good news: I got a hold of ROM 2.5.1, on an installation CD for a G4 system. [:)] ]'> Bad news: The CD won't boot my G4! [xx(] ]'> According to the system profile my machine is a 400mhz AGP based G4 with 20GB drive and ATI Rage 128. MacTracker lists the machine type as "406" and says...

Everyone I have asked says that they either don't have the original install CD or that it came with OS 9. All the copies of 8.6 floating around the net are March 1999 retail copies that don't include the correct ROM. [:(] ]'> Looks like I'll have to be realistic and accept that I can't get...

I've asked a bunch of people selling sawtooth G4s on eBay whether they're willing to sell me their original restore CD. Although it seems that most G4s ended up shipping with MacOS 9. I think it is only the 400 and 450 mhz versions that had 8.6. If I get a ROM that works I'll let you all know.