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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Installing Mac OS on new Hard Drive

Mannix - Jan 28, 2008 - 12:48 am

My hard drive recently died on my aluminum 15" g4 powerbook, 1.5ghz. I decided to replace it myself, it seemed like an easy enough task; simple pull and plug. The installation of the hardware was simple a 7200 rpm hitachi ata 100gb; compatible from what I read on OWC.com.

I Basically need to know how to get an OS on a Brand NEW Hard Drive. My specific problem is below:

When I turn on my machine, I get a small folder in the middle of the grey screen that flashes between having a "?" icon and the finder "Face" icon. I figured I need to install from the mac os x CD.

I don't have the Panther CD that came w/ my comp so I borrowed the tiger CD from my sister who just got a MacBook. With the disk 1 of 2 in my computer it loads to a screen with a large power button icon and a notice to restart the machine in 4/5 different languages. Overlayed on this screen is a code script with little english but some understandable stuff saying I don't have the right driver(s), that it is "hanging in", "Panic".

Can I only load Panther on it? I read something about some installers using 4 discs? Any ideas would be helpful

PS: despite my profile I don't have any OS on the hard drive right now.

ScottW - Jan 28, 2008 - 7:25 am

Rafe,

Welcome to Macosx.com.

You can't typically take discs from newer machines and use them to install on OS on an older machine. There are certain drivers that are included in those install discs that ship with certain Macs. You can assume an install disc that comes with a Mac is the same as the OS install disk you'd get if you purchased the OS straight out in a box, which will generally work on any Mac that it supports out of the box, but doesn't always work with newer systems post release of that particular OS.

You should be able to install Tiger on your PowerBook, but you will need to use a standard Tiger Install CD that would come out of a Tiger box.

If you still have your old hard drive around, you can simply replicate that drive to your new internal drive using an external kit. Something like this package from Granite Digital will allow you to plug in that 2.5" drive via USB. Then you can use an application like "SuperDuper" in demo/free mode to make an exact, bootable disk image from your previous drive, to your new drive.

OR purchasing a copy of Tiger OS from somewhere online or eBay would allow you to install a new OS on your new internal drive.

Scott

Mannix - Jan 28, 2008 - 2:01 pm

Thanks! But will that kit work with my hard drive which crashed? (it would get to the grey apple load page but freeze). Also, if I get the panther install disk that came with MY comp would that work?

Thanks again

--Rafe--

ScottW - Jan 28, 2008 - 2:28 pm

Ah! I skipped over the "died" part. No, if your drive is toast, it won't help you out. If you do find your original panther CD's, you will be able to get up and going on Panther, then just upgrade from that point.

Scott

TechSupport - Feb 1, 2008 - 3:50 pm

We apologize for not being able to resolve the issue you asked of us. It is the absolute worst case scenario for us to do this. In our review of why this happens, it generally is related to either the particular issue being addressed or frequently, incomplete or incorrect information provided. We hope by moving your request to the public forums that you will be able to get a solution without leaving you empty handed.

Your ticket has been closed with our support team. Your request has just been posted to Mac OS X System & Mac Software and is available for your viewing at:

http://macosx.com/forums/showthread.php?t=298147

Again, thank you for using Macosx.com. We hope you will consider using us again in the future.