05-18-2006, 12:53 AM

I bought a new powermac g4 450, it came with the hdd formatted, just woundering how I go about installing OSX or OS 9 on it, I have tried putting the discs in and it just brings up this little folder and I cant do anything with it??

I have been searching for what to do without finding much...

This is my first mac so I dont have a lot of experiance with them..

Cheers


Sipheren

05-18-2006, 12:56 AM

Are these CD's you are putting in Factory Mac OS9 and OSX CD's or some copies? If they are factory CD's, hold down the "C" key after the chime and it should boot from the CDROM and let you install the OS. Since this is an old Mac, I hope the CDROM drive is not bad. A possibility with old equipment. Also what version of OSX are you trying to install? 10.4 Tiger usually comes on DVD's and you need a DVD ROM drive or it will not read the disc.

05-18-2006, 01:21 AM

the cd's are factory ones....gey coloured...its os x 10.1.4 and 9.2.2...

I have tried the c button...but it just goes to the folder thing in the centre of the screen

05-18-2006, 01:25 AM

Originally Posted by Sipheren

the cd's are factory ones....gey coloured...its os x 10.1.4 and 9.2.2...

I have tried the c button...but it just goes to the folder thing in the centre of the screen

Are you holding the C key from the time the chime sounds till the folder apears? If so, either the CD's are damaged or like I said it's possible that the CDROM drive is messed up.

Is the 9.2.2 an Update or install? An Update might not boot. I have a 9.2.1 Install and 9.2.2 that is just the updater.

05-18-2006, 01:27 AM

yeah I hold it from when I press restart to when the screen comes up with the folder...(how long should I wait?)...the whole system seems very new....I might try my DVD drive from my PC...

05-18-2006, 01:27 AM

and both cds say install on them and say to hold the c button to boot

05-18-2006, 01:29 AM

Originally Posted by Sipheren

yeah I hold it from when I press restart to when the screen comes up with the folder...(how long should I wait?)...the whole system seems very new....I might try my DVD drive from my PC...

It sounds like you are doing the right thing. What keyboard do you have plugged into that Mac? Is it a PC keyboard or a Mac keyboard? That could be the problem also. Just thought of that.

the G4/450 is a few years old. I have a G4-500.

05-18-2006, 01:32 AM

I have a microsoft mac compatable one...it brings up the boot screen when I hold 'option' so I am guessing it works

05-18-2006, 01:37 AM

Originally Posted by Sipheren

I have a microsoft mac compatable one...it brings up the boot screen when I hold 'option' so I am guessing it works

If the CD's are in good shape, then I am thinking the CDROM drive. The 450 G4, it's a Gray tower correct? It should be the Sawtooth series G4, some came with a DVD ROM drive, some just a CDROM.

One more thing I just thought of, Try reseting the PRAM. HOLD DOWN Apple-Option-P-R all at the same time right after the chime, Keep them down till you hear two chimes. In other words it will do it twice, then let go. Then try to boot holding the C.

05-18-2006, 01:49 AM

This is the machine I am talking about. Does yours look like this?

05-18-2006, 01:55 AM

thanks heaps mate...that worked perfect....I am guessing thats kinda like clearing the bios or something?.....its all working now....os x 10 is installing..

Cheers

05-18-2006, 01:56 AM

yeah thats my system

05-18-2006, 01:58 AM

Not a problem. If you have anymore problems, just ask.

05-18-2006, 06:12 AM

I have it all working, just woundering, the picture is a little of centre on my LCD...is there a way of positioning it properly?

05-18-2006, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by Sipheren

I have it all working, just woundering, the picture is a little of centre on my LCD...is there a way of positioning it properly?

The positioning should be controlled by the butons on the LCD.