Dual boot on G5 power Mac

I have an older G5 Power Mac running OS 10.5.8 and I would like to be able to use my previous OS .
My question is does the OS have to be on the main hard drive, or can I install it on drive # 2
There are a few features on the older system I would like to use plus chats on AOL since this is where the Photography Chat is.
HELP
Frank

manglesphoto said:

I have an older G5 Power Mac running OS 10.5.8 and I would like to be able to use my previous OS .
My question is does the OS have to be on the main hard drive, or can I install it on drive # 2
There are a few features on the older system I would like to use plus chats on AOL since this is where the Photography Chat is.
HELP
Frank

Click to expand...

If by "dual boot" you mean two different versions of the Mac OS...you can definitely do that. It can be accomplised in at least three different ways:

1. The "main" hard drive would have to be partitioned...and each desired OS version installed onto each partition (1 OS version/partition).
2. The two OS versions could be installed on two seperate hard drives (1 OS version installed/hard drive).
3. You could have 1 OS version installed on your main hard drive...and the 2nd OS version installed on an external hard drive (attached to your computer via a USB port).

HTH,

- Nick

p.s. Of course both OS versions need to be compatible with a Powermac G5.

dual boot on G5 power mac

Nick, Thank you very much for your help

manglesphoto said:

Nick, Thank you very much for your help

Click to expand...

You are welcome. Have fun!

- Nick

I would suggest either option 1 or 2. Unless you have an external firewire drive. Booting from USB on some of the PowerPC Macs was impossible and just dog slow on others. Perhaps you are more patient than I was.

EDIT: I have used all three options. My only caution is about using two partitions on the same drive. It will work and work well. If the hard drive dies you could loose both operating systems. If they are on separate drives you can quickly get back to work if one dies.

the fire wire drive didn't work so it will be hard drive #2. Will remove HD #2 that i have images on and replace it with a new drive. HD #2 is backed up, but why take a chance?
Thank you all for your input
Frank