03-01-2012, 02:00 PM

Hi

I'm after for some advice. I was trying to sell my old mac mini (Jan 2005 version) and wanted to reset it back to factory settings. I inserted my version of Mac OS X Tiger and restarted the mac using the C key. I then opened disk utilities and erased the hard drive - Big Error! When i went to install the OS Tiger the system kept saying I needed OS X 10.3 to install which I don't now have. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get out of this predicament?

Thanks

Andy

03-01-2012, 02:12 PM

When i went to install the OS Tiger the system kept saying I needed OS X 10.3 to install which I don't now have. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get out of this predicament?

Yes, you need to buy a copy of Panther. Check on eBay for a copy but make sure it's the retail version not a machine specific version. You should be able to find a copy that's not expensive. You can always include that along with the Tiger disk when you sell the machine.

03-01-2012, 02:16 PM

Thanks - Have I wiped all applications off though now or will they still be on the machine?

03-01-2012, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by andyhaze

Hi

I'm after for some advice. I was trying to sell my old mac mini (Jan 2005 version) and wanted to reset it back to factory settings. I inserted my version of Mac OS X Tiger and restarted the mac using the C key. I then opened disk utilities and erased the hard drive - Big Error! When i went to install the OS Tiger the system kept saying I needed OS X 10.3 to install which I don't now have. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get out of this predicament?

It sounds like the Tiger (OS 10.4) disk you have is an "update" or "drop-in" disk...which requires a previous version of the OS to be installed first. There really is no solution...other than to purchase a "full retail" OS install disk.

- OS 10.4 install disks are relatively hard to find...and are expensive (e-Bay, maybe $80 bucks).
- Another solution is to find a set of OS 10.3 install disks. And...if you get a OS 10.3 install disk...it needs to be OS 10.3.7 or later. Of course if you find/purchase some OS 10.3 install disks...then you can use your OS 10.4 disk to update.
- You could install OS 10.5 "Leopard"...but again these disks are pricey (e-Bay $80-$100).

Lastly...whatever you do...DON'T buy any "gray-colored" disks. These are model specific...and basically won't work. You need full install retail disks such as these in the link:

"What OS Disk Do I Need?" A Brief Overview

OS 10.3 and 10.4 are black.

HTH,

- Nick

03-01-2012, 02:17 PM

Everything's gone since you erased the hard drive. However, if you install Panther and afterward Tiger, all the apps that normally are included will be installed again.

03-01-2012, 02:32 PM

Thanks for the replies guys.

So i buy a copy similar to the one in the link below:-

mac os x panther v10.3.5. NEW. 2-box | eBay

Then once i have installed that load in the drop in disk and the Mac should be back to it's original condition?

Andy

03-01-2012, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by andyhaze

So i buy a copy similar to the one in the link below:-

mac os x panther v10.3.5. NEW. 2-box | eBay

Then once i have installed that load in the drop in disk and the Mac should be back to it's original condition?

Details, details, details. As I mentioned above...I think that the "oldest" version of 10.3 you can install on the Mac-Mini you have is 10.3.7. Therefore...10.3.5 would be slightly too old.

Please tell us what the exact model Mac-mini you have. This will help when it comes to confirming these details. I'm guessing you have either a Mac-mini G4 1.25ghz or 1.42ghz.

- Nick

03-01-2012, 03:37 PM

Your Mini came with OS X.3.7. Still got those original install discs? If so install Panther and then use the Tiger upgrade disc.