01-30-2010, 09:24 AM

Hey there. I've got a G4 Power Mac, Dual 867 Mhz with 768 MB of Ram, and it's currently running OS 10.3.9.

I've just bought the Leopard DVD, but though it pops up on my screen to "initiate install" when I insert the disk, everytime my computer restarts, it just brings it back to 10.3.9. I've changed the hard disk in my settings to boot from the dvd, I've pressed the option button while restarting (only shows my 2 current drives, and not the Leopard disk), and I've tried pressing C when restarting (nothing happens).

Where am I going wrong? I confess that I haven't been able to repair my current hard drive with Disk Utility because I can't find my OS 10.3.9 disk. Is that important?

Thanks so much for any advice you can give.

I'll add that I also just installed a combo drive in order to be able to read the Leopard disk, and given my relative lack of experience, it's possible that it might be the culprit as well.

01-30-2010, 09:34 AM

Boot up into 10.3. Put the disc in. Can you read it?

01-30-2010, 09:52 AM

My computer seems to be able to read the Leopard DVD-- at least, it's visible as another startup disk in the Control Panel, and I can select it. Which I have, but my computer still boots in 10.3.

It also seems to begin the process of installation when I click on the "Install Mac OS X" icon on the dvd, but it just reboots and brings me back to the same screen. I then can keep doing that ad infinitum, but it doesn't actually start installing anything.

01-30-2010, 10:09 AM

This is a 'black' disc and not gray?

01-30-2010, 10:10 AM

Yes, it's the black one.

01-30-2010, 10:21 AM

Sounds to me like you've tried everything I could recommend.
Try starting installer from inside 10.3
Boot holding down the option key
Boot holding down the 'C' key
Clean the disc whether it appears to need it or not and then try those three again.

After that, not sure - hang out or check back - maybe some of the PPC experienced folks will have something for you. I'm an Intel newb.

01-30-2010, 10:23 AM

Ok, I'll give it another go-round; thanks for the help anyhow, Bob.

01-30-2010, 10:35 AM

Just tern on your Power Mac, Boot from 10.3 and then pop in the CD, double-click the CD and click Install Leopard, If that does not help, then sorry I don't know what the problem is

01-30-2010, 10:52 AM

Also if it still fails to boot off the 10.5 DVD, you might try a PRAM reset. It can't hurt and might help since you say the 10.5 DVD mounts on the desktop in 10.3.

To reset the PRAM hold down Command+Option+P+R all at the same time right when you hear the startup sound and keep them down. Listen for 2 more startup sounds then release the 4 keys.

Also try what Ketan said and run the installer from within 10.3 and it should ask to reboot. See if it then comes up in 10.5.

Also you did say it was a black DVD. Just being sure it's not a 10.5 DVD that came with another Mac.

01-30-2010, 11:19 AM

Ok, I think I got it to work! Thanks everyone, for your help.

01-30-2010, 11:41 AM

I saw your post before you edited it and was going to say is the DVD clean? No fingerprints? If you said Yes I was going to say the DVD drive in the old Powermac is probably dying.

Do tell us what you did.