Power Mac G4 Os 9 Install help

[Moltobene]

Hey Guys,
I have a G4 Power Mac but the CD drive is i think broken, the hard-disk is empty.
Is it possible to install Mac os 9 with my iBook g3 over usb adapter to the hard disk and then build it back in the g4 ?
thx chris

 

[s_pupp]

What model of PowerMac G4? The answer can vary depending on the reply.

 

[Nixontheknight]

Hey Guys,
I have a G4 Power Mac but the CD drive is i think broken, the hard-disk is empty.
Is it possible to install Mac os 9 with my iBook g3 over usb adapter to the hard disk and then build it back in the g4 ?
thx chris

use firewire, not USB

 

[Moltobene]

Model Identifier: PowerMac1,2
Model Number: M5183

My ibook has no firewire.

 

[Snial]

Model Identifier: PowerMac1,2
Model Number: M5183

My ibook has no firewire.

This means it must be what's called a Clamshell iBook - what colour is it, Tangerine or Blue? The way to remotely install software on a Mac is to put the second Mac in target disk mode, but that iBook can't do that (it needs Firewire). The simplest means might be for you to buy an ATA CD drive (or transfer it from another computer) and install that in the G4, then you can boot it from CD. I'm guessing you have other computers, not just the iBook and PowerMac G4?

 

[mdeverhart]

Is it possible to install Mac os 9 with my iBook g3 over usb adapter to the hard disk and then build it back in the g4 ?

So I think what you’re asking is if you can:
1. Take the hard drive out of the G4
2. Connect it to a USB/IDE adapter
3. Connect that adapter to a USB port on the iBook
4. Use the iBook to install a clean copy of OS 9 onto the G4’s HDD
5. Put the HDD back into the G4

Correct?

If so, the answer is probably yes, this should work, but there may be some caveats. The main thing is that you’ll probably need a copy/image of the retail release of OS 9. When you install it, make sure you select the G4 HDD as the target, and do a Custom Install and select a full install or “Software for any Macintosh” or something like that.

I’d give it a shot and let us know how it goes.

 

[Moltobene]

I have now installed it on the external drive via USB, but the G4 no longer works and there is no start sound. I'll have to research further later. But thanks to all of you, when it starts again I'll let you know if it worked.