Unable to install OSX on a G4

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When attempting to install OSX (Version 10.3.2) I get the following error after inserting Install Disc 1:

"Startup Disk was unable to select the install CD as the startup disk. (-2)" This message appears immediately after I click the "restart" button that comes up on the first screen from the Install disc.

The machine is a PowerMac G4 500 MHZ currently running Mac OS9.1.

Any thoughts or suggestions welcome. Thanks.

[Twillig]

1. Have you updated the firmware

Older macs like yours need to have that done to run OSX.

It should say so somewhere in the instructions.

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2. Thank you, I'll look into that.

[enough]

3. I did the required Firmware update.

Thanks for letting me know about the Firmware -- that was something I needed to do.

The update was successful, but the problem did not go away.

I'm still getting the same error message.


Still open to suggestions!

[Elwood P Dowd]

4. Don't you need OS 9.2.2 before you can get OS 10

to work? Just download the updates for OS 9.1.

[Twillig]

5. I think the problem is with an outdated Startup Disk control panel

So updating OS 9 first would replace that control panel automatically.

OS 9.2.1
OS 9.2.2

I think..

This is a link to the updated Control panel maybe that would be an easier try.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120024

[Elwood P Dowd]

7. I've never done the update

but I have two Macs, one with 9.1 and one with Panther. Make sure you have plenty of RAM - a minimum of 256 with Panther and 512 with Tiger. I borrowed a Mac that had Tiger installed with only 256, and it struggled at times.

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6. Thank you Mr. Dowd and Twillig,

I will try these updates you are suggesting over the weekend and see what happens. I'll let you know.

I love getting Mac advice on DU -- the best of both worlds!

[bullimiami]

8. is this a universal os x installer or one that came with a computer?

if it was bundled it may only work on some computers.

ive got 10.4.5 on a g4 400, so it should work. ive had every os since 9.1 on here.

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9. Success!

It was the update to 9.2.1 that did the trick.

I ended up using Twillig's updated Control Panel link (Startup Disk 9.2.1), which was a much smaller download, and apparently it had exactly what was needed.

OSX 10.3.9 is now running perfectly on the dear old G4.



Thank you very much DU! I got advice here that I couldn't find on all sorts of Mac forums out there.

[NV Whino]

10. If you decide to upgrade to Tiger (10.4)

... and it is awesome... you will need a DVD drive rather than a CD. Learned that one the hard way, myself.

I did a work around, though. I used my iBook to read the DVD and did the old "target disk" thing to upgrade my tower G4.