The limitation of installing Apple's latest operating system on the earlier systems really doesn't have anything to do whether or not you have a G4 installed. This is a common misconception.
10.2: First, let me say, that 10.2 (Jaguar) should never be installed. It is trash. At best, beta software, that Apple charged to use.
10.3" (Panther) was the first solid Mac OS X system with easy printer setup, normal networking capabilities, and directory organization that didn't kill the whole drive when corrupted. 10.3 is compatible with all systems that have USB built-in and forward. Note that "USB built-in" does NOT mean, USB on a PCI card. It must be built-in. For systems without USB built-in, users, can run XPOSTFACTO, an open source utility (see about XPOSTFACTO below).
10.4: (Tiger) is an improvement on Panther, and is designed to install on Firewire built-in systems only. Note that "Firewire built-in" does NOT man, Firewire on a PCI slot, or Cardbus card. It must be built-in. For systems withouth Firewire built-in, users, can run XPOSTFACTO, an open source utility (see About XPOSTFACTO below).
If you are trying to decide which operating system to install on your older system, opt for Panther. While Tiger adds improved networking, improved printer setup, Spotlight and Dashboard... it is much more CPU intensive, and will be more sluggish on your older system (ie, Spinning Balls).
Also, if you have not moved up to G4, or at least 384 MB of RAM, then don't go to OSX. Mac OSX really needs the AltiVec in the G4 to perform without being plagued by spinning balls. It also needs more than 256 MB of RAM to operate in real time.
Daystar's Mac G4 CPU upgrades can be viewed at:
http://daystar-store.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=2
Daystar's Mac RAM upgrades can be viewed at:
http://daystar-store.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=5
About XPostFacto:
http://www.opendarwin.org/projects/XPostFacto/
XPostFacto is an OpenSource project, designed to allow you to install Mac OSX on "unsupported" systems... such as the Wallstreet, Lombard and Beige G3.
Basically you install OS 9.2, download the utility, unstuff it, then open it. Insert your Mac OS X Install CD, then select to install. XPostFacto will install the revised boot stuff on your hard drive, then reboot and install. If everything goes right (50/50 chance), you are up and running OSX in about 1/2 hour.
But what if it doesn't work? Please don't call me! Pay the $25 for XPostFacto (this is how the engineering gets paid), then submit your questions and get the answers.
http://eshop.macsales.com/OSXCenter/XPostFacto/Billing_Form.cfm
Some final notes:
Panther has a bug when installing on the Pismo (PowerBook G3 Firewire). If you have maxed out the RAM, pull the top DIMM during installation. You can return it afterwards. Otherwise, the install will die 3/4 of the way through, with no warning. We have seen this on Lombards from time to time as well.
Be sure to downgrade the HDD drivers on older laptops. OSX tends to update the HDD drivers. If you are running one of the later 2.5" drives, you'll get the dreaded prohibitive sign on reboot. Simply reboot to the OS9 install CD, open disk utility and select to update the drivers. Okay the warning that you are going backwards, then reboot to the CD. Select the OSX and reboot.Last edited on Tue Dec 5th, 2006 09:51 pm by Gary
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Gary Dailey
Daystar Technology
http://Daystar-Tech.com, http://Daystar-Store.com
email: gary@daystartechnology.com, chat: garydailey@mac.com
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