Ticket Options

Question Details

TICKET ARCHIVE -> Can't Install Macos X On G4 Tower

mustio - Jul 24, 2005 - 4:19 pm

Hi, I've trying to install Mac OS X on a G4 400MHz 1GB RAM 60 GB HD AGP machine.

I managed to install v. 10.1 on it, but as soon as I try to open an application, it popups a message telling me that it unexpectedly quit. I can boot in 9.2.1 with no problems, but I'm stuck on OS X.

I removed the SCSI card from Orange Micro, but everything is the same. Also removed a couple of memory modules to see if this was the problem, but with no success.

I ran out of ideas.

Thanks for your help

Cheryl - Jul 24, 2005 - 5:29 pm

Mustio,

My name is Cheryl and I will be assisting you.

Before you installed OS X, did you install the firmware update?

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120068

Have you installed any OS X updates?
Have you installed the OS 9.2.2 update? A link for all the updates needed is here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106713

You also need to install Repair Privileges and run that.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120068

Once you have these installed, you should not have a problem.

--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !

Cheryl

mustio - Jul 24, 2005 - 7:19 pm

Thank you Cheryl.

I did install the firmware update before trying to install OS X. Right now it shows up as 4.2.8

I'm not able to update OS X because almost all applications crash on launch (Internet Explorer, Preview, Terminal, TextEdit, Mail, even control clicking a finder item relaunches the Finder). The only things I have available are the system preferences, apple system profiler, chess, and maybe a couple more. I managed to download a required System Update, but Disk Copy failed to launch too. Even Disk Utility crashes.

I tried CMD-S at startup and fsck -y, but the disk seems to be ok. Zapped the PRAM, but nothing changed.

I had 4 256MB RAM modules, and I decided to leave only one, because they were different brands. Left only the Samsung.

The computer has 2 hard drives. One is 20GB, the other one is 60GB. I have 9.2.1 on the 20GB drive, and I want to install OS X on the other drive. I already tried making a copy of the 20GB drive on the 60GB, and changing the jumper configuration, remove the cable, so that the 20GB drive is ignored; but get the same results.

I had several kernel pannics too.

I'm going to try to update to 9.2.2, but I think the problem is something else. Could it be hardware related? The hard drives perhaps? the Macally ikey keyboard that works fine in OS 9? Or the other Apple keyboard I tried that I just bought for my MacMini?

Thank you very much for your help

Cheryl - Jul 24, 2005 - 8:26 pm

Mustio,

OS X needs to be installed on the first partition or the master drive.

The kernel panics could caused by old speakers, firewire drives, or - possibly the Macally keyboard.

Use the keyboard you bought, disconnect all devices, except the keyboard, mouse and monitor.

Start up in OS 9.
You need to download Repair Privileges.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106900
Allow Stuffit to expand it.
Save it to the hard drive - but not in any folder.

Now start up in OS X and run it.

Now check to see if your programs start up.

--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !

Cheryl

mustio - Jul 24, 2005 - 10:10 pm

Here's what I've done so far:

1. Removed the 20GB drive
2. Made the 60GB the master drive
3. Made 2 Partitions: 8GB for OSX, 50GB for Documents
4. It erased the OS 9 system when it made the partitions
5. Installed OS X on the first partition
6. Everything went as normal
7. Boot up on OS X
8. Tried launching IE, but crashes
9. Downloaded Repair Privileges on another Mac
10. Using Ethernet, I copied the .dmg to the computer
11. Failed to mount .dmg, because Disk Copy crashed on launch
12. Copied the .app on the .dmg from the other Mac
13. Launched and repaired privileges (mostly iTunes related)
14. Tried launching Mail, crashed. IE, crashed.
15. A couple of minutes later, the other Mac crashed too!!
15. Back at square one

Do I need to have OS 9 installed?

Thanks for your help.

Cheryl - Jul 25, 2005 - 7:12 am

Mustio,

No, OS 9 does not need to be installed for OS X to work.

Check that OS X CD. What does it say on the label side?

In the meantime, there is a way to change the permissions manually so that the programs start up and act correctly.

Click once on one of the applications you want to open - I.E.
Go to the File menu and select Get Info
When the window opens, you should see Ownership and permissions
Click on the arrow next to it so it is pointing down.
If there is another arrow next to details, click on that (I can't remember what 10.1 shows).
Next to Owner should be a pull down menu. If there is a lock icon that shows locked, click on the lock.
You will be asked for your password. (this is the password you set for you the user/owner). Type the password and click on okay.
Now in the pull down menu select your user name.
Access should be set to Read & write. If not - use that pull down menu to select it.
Now click on the lock to lock it. It will now stay with you as the owner.
Close the Get Info window.
Give I.E. a try out.

If this works, you will need to do this to all your programs. I know this will take time, but since Repair permissions is not doing the job, this is the only way to correct the issue on 10.1.

--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !

Cheryl