Copy the system drive from old G4 onto a bootable partition on my G5?

[proaud]

I have a G5 running 10.5.8. I want to create a dual boot scenario with 10.4 so I can run all my expensive 10.4 apps installed on my old G4.

I know I can do this by using a 10.4 Install DVD and re-installing everything onto a new partition... But I've lost that disc. Is it possible to make a bootable 10.4 partition using only my old hard drive?

I have used file sharing to copy the entire contents of the old G4 system drive onto a new partition on the G5. I also tried making an image out of that partition. Neither of these show up in the boot menu. Is there another way?

If not, where would I find a 10.4 install disc anyways?

 

[Slydude]

Whether this is possible is going to depend upon the G5 and which OS version it shipped with. As a general rule a machine will not run with an OS lower than the version that shipped with it.

Even if the OS versions will work a drag and drop copy is not going to get the job done. Several critical files that do not get copied this way. You would need to use a cloning tool such as Super Duper or Carbon Copy Cloner.

 

[harryb2448]

What expensive apps? Suggest you dig out the install discs and passwords and be ready for fresh installs. Larger programs such as Adobe and sometimes Microsoft Office etc will not migrate in this manner. A Tiger install disc will be available from auction sites such as eBay but be prepared to pay a premium and make sure you purchase a black full install DVD and not some silver/grey model specific disc.

Some G5's came with Tiger as the original install. Still got those discs?

 

[proaud]

Audio editing. Protools + plugins. The versions I have are not upgradeable past OSX 10.4. The newest versions of these are Intel-only, so I need to also buy a Mac Pro. Putting 10.4 onto the G5 would let me run them another year or two.

I tried Carbon Copy Cloner to copy the G4 system drive onto a partition on the G5. It still is not bootable. I'll have to go buy a 10.4 disc from somewhere.

Thanks for the tips!