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Mac OS 10.1.4 Powerbook on the G4 - 2009/06/17 07:47 I have a G4 running OS 9.1 and want to upgrade to SO 10.x. I searching for a copy of the OS 10 at a used computer store they only had restore CD's of OS 10.1.4 for the powerbook G4. Can this be used to load a new OS 10 .x build on a G4 tower?
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Re:Mac OS 10.1.4 Powerbook on the G4 - 2009/06/17 16:52 No it is for that model PowerBook only as a general rule. Apple build stoppers in to the software to prevent use other than on the machine it came with.

Look for a full retail install disc, stocks, though they may be a little hard to come by as OS X.1 is an old, old, operating system. For a tower perhaps you might be better looking for Panther OS X.3 or Tiger OS X.4. These discs are a black colour and do not buy the silver grey system specific discs like you already have.

If the tower has never run OS X previously, it will be necessary to update the firmware before installing. You have to be using OS 9 to do this.
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Re:Mac OS 10.1.4 Powerbook on the G4 - 2009/06/17 18:17 You really don't want OS 10.1.x as harry mentioned. I guess it would be better than OS 9 but there is not much software available for OS 10.1.x, especially any current browsers.

You want to get at least OS 10.2 for a decent selection of compatible software and if you want a current web browser you need OS 10.3. Most software is compatible with OS 10.4 but you can get by with OS 10.3.

The cost goes up on the used market for OS X as the number gets higher up to OS 10.4 which is no longer sold by Apple and has an inflated price on the market (more than it cost new).

The OS I would suggest is what your budget allows. OS 10.4 will cost at least $100 or more. OS 10.3 can be found for half that and OS 10.2 a little less.

I agree with harry on the suggestion for OS 10.3 or 10.4. OS 10.4 would be your best option and have the longest usability and the most compatibility with available software.

Make sure you have enough RAM for the OS you install. 256MB or more for 10.2 & 10.3 and 512MB or more for 10.4. More is always better too.
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Re:Mac OS 10.1.4 Powerbook on the G4 - 2009/06/17 22:32 As long as there is enough Ram, OSX.4 is preferable. If you get an earlier version of OSX.4 there are updates available Apple Support Downloads
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Re:Mac OS 10.1.4 Powerbook on the G4 - 2009/06/18 08:25 I found the verison you suggested on Amazon. So, I'll need to upgrade the frimware if I ciurrently running OS 9.3?

Thanks,
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Re:Mac OS 10.1.4 Powerbook on the G4 - 2009/06/18 16:38 If the G4 Tower has never run OS X of any variety previously, updaqting the firmware may well be the case, depending on the model which you have not supplied. Early model G4's, Sawtooth, Gigabit Ethernet and Digital Audio models require firmware update 4.2.8.

Quicksilver models do not require a firmware update, and the following MDD (Mirror Drive Door) require Firmware Update 4.4.8. If the machine does require the update, you have to be in OS 9, up to 9.2.2 as there was no 9.3, download from Apple with instructions, run the install and follow the directions about rebooting using the programmers button.

This procedure is not as complicated as I have made it sound sorry stocksj.
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