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unassuming - May 21, 2005 - 4:46 pm

As a new mac user I managed to somewhat write over my panther installed HD with a tiger image file using disc utility. Halfway through my computer shut down. Now I have all sorts of kernal errors and whatnot.
When I try to install panther again I get a circle with a line through it. About the only thing I can access at this point is open firmware. Is there any way to format and clean install panther through open firmware?

I've been trying to fix this for days....

Help would be GREATLY appreciated.

bobw - May 21, 2005 - 5:03 pm

Hi Sean

Boot off the Panther CD. After the Installer window appears, go up to the Installer Menu to Disk Utility. You should be able to reformat the drive that way.


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Bobw - MacOSX.com Tech Support

unassuming - May 21, 2005 - 8:20 pm

I do try to boot from the panther cd but get the circle with a line through it...
Can I do anything through open firmware?

unassuming - May 21, 2005 - 8:49 pm

If the OS X route won't work could I install linux from the iso files found on the internet or do I need an HFS disc of some sort?

unassuming - May 21, 2005 - 9:33 pm

Linux without using yaboot and the like that is.
Also, when I try to boot with the panther cd the apple logo just shifts to the side with a pixelated upper left edge.

kainjow - May 22, 2005 - 6:07 pm

Sean,

Can you give me the exact model of your Mac (iBook, iMac, PowerMac, etc) and when you bought it?

Also, the Panther CD you are using.. did this come with your computer? If not, try booting up the CD that came with your computer (using the 'C' key).

Kevin

unassuming - May 22, 2005 - 6:14 pm

A new ibook g4
Had panther until tiger partway installed then quit.

kainjow - May 22, 2005 - 6:16 pm

Can you please tell me if you are using the Panther CD that came with your computer (i.e. it's a gray disk) or if it's one that you bought from the Panther retail box?

unassuming - May 22, 2005 - 6:20 pm

Retail, my grey disc is across the US.

kainjow - May 22, 2005 - 6:22 pm

Ok. Could you also give the Mhz on your iBook? 1.2Ghz? 1.4Ghz, etc.

I think I might know the problem here.

Thanks,
Kevin

unassuming - May 22, 2005 - 6:23 pm

1.33ghz

kainjow - May 22, 2005 - 6:28 pm

I believe the problem is that this iBook will not boot up anything before Mac OS 10.3.3 or 10.3.4 - see http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25517

So you will need to get a hold of the system CD, or if you're close to an Apple store they may be able to provide you with one temporariliy.

Kevin

unassuming - May 22, 2005 - 6:30 pm

Thank you

So, a Tiger DVD would do the trick?
It's odd since I tried to install Darwin and got the same problem.

kainjow - May 22, 2005 - 6:33 pm

If this is the problem, then yes the Tiger DVD should work fine.

I once had this exact problem... I was using the retail CD of Panther and it was giving me weird things at bootup and wouldn't let me do anything. Then I used the system CD that came with the computer and it worked perfectly fine.

Kevin