11-04-2010, 08:42 PM

I bought a used iMac G4 Superdisk 2.0 USB machine from Penn State University dirt cheap, but it didn't come with the OS X disk. Is it possible to make a copy of the OS just in case I have to reload the OS X? This is my first Mac and although I doubt I will have to reload the OS, you never know! I have to say that I'm never going back to a PC.

11-04-2010, 09:56 PM

Depending on which Mac model the G4 iMac is, it will take OS X.5 if the processor is over 867MHz and Tiger OS X.4 if under that. Always helps if you provide thew machine details.

Purchase a full retail install DVD of whatever OS you wish. The disc MUST be black and not a silver/grey system, restore, update or so called 'drop in' disc.

11-04-2010, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by harryb2448

Depending on which Mac model the G4 iMac is, it will take OS X.5 if the processor is over 867MHz and Tiger OS X.4 if under that. Always helps if you provide thew machine details.

Purchase a full retail install DVD of whatever OS you wish. The disc MUST be black and not a silver/grey system, restore, update or so called 'drop in' disc.

Machine Name: iMac
Machine Model: PowerMac6,3
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (3.3)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1.25 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.7.8f1
Serial Number: QP41302XQB8

11-05-2010, 05:07 PM

Yes it will run Leopard OS X.5 up to X.5.8.

Despite Apple saying it will only take 1GB memory maximum, your model can run up to 2GB and this will improve performance.

11-05-2010, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by harryb2448

Purchase a full retail install DVD of whatever OS you wish.

Not quite.

Originally Posted by harryb2448

Yes it will run Leopard OS X.5 up to X.5.8.

There you go!

It won't run 10.6 Snow Leopard since it's a G4. SL is the only Mac OS still for sale in stores or through catalogs, or online sales. It was reported here just last week that you can call the Apple Online Store's toll free number and get one that way. You'll not find it "in" the Online Store.