N00b with questions

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Ok, first post.

I'm having a problem with an IBook I got for free. I've had this thing for over 2 years, sitting, because I didn't have an A/C adapter plug for it. I never knew if it even worked until a few days ago when I managed to get a plug. The IBook booted up and worked flawlessly. I was even able to get online with the AirPort card. The IBook is model number M6497.

The problems I had right off the bat, were that several keys on the keyboard didn't work...namely the left and down arrows, delete key and space bar.
Also, the OS was so old, I couldn't even download the latest Firefox. (10.1)
Then, after downloading something, I couldn't execute the program because it had an administrator password. I looked online and found some "single user" commands that allowed me to create a new administrator account and new password.

All was well until I tried to get online again. I cannot for anything get this thing back online, even with a cable modem attached. When I bring up "Internet Connect", a little box appears with a pull down menu, but everything is blank..nothing in the menu.
If I go to "system preferences", then "network", the "location" menu is missing the "automatic" option. I tried creating a new network using the Airport and the Ethernet but nothing works.

The only solution I could think of was to upgrade the OS. I got a download of OS X 10.3 .dmg file and burned it to a disc. I got it onto the mac and when I run the program, I get a message that says I must restart to begin the installation process. When I do, nothing happens and the mac boots normally.
I also downloaded a OS X 10.4 ISO file and burned it to a disc making it a bootable CD. I booted the MAC and to my surprise, it seemed like it was actually going to install the new OS....however after a certain point, the CD drive noise goes away and the computer locks up.

I'm at a loss....I want to get this thing back online and fix it....I need to know what I can do!
 
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You are going to have to do a re-install by the sounds of it.

But since you seem to be downloading pirated copies of OS X, that breaks all the rules of this forum, we cannot help you out with tips on installing pirated software
 
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You are going to have to do a re-install by the sounds of it.

But since you seem to be downloading pirated copies of OS X, that breaks all the rules of this forum, we cannot help you out with tips on installing pirated software

Well...where can I get a legit full copy of OS X 10.3 or even 10.4? All I can find are updates.
 
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Your best bet is to get a copy of 10.3 or 10.4 on ebay and do a clean install of the OS. For $50-$60 you've got a fully functional laptop.
 

cwa107


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Your best bet is to get a copy of 10.3 or 10.4 on ebay and do a clean install of the OS. For $50-$60 you've got a fully functional laptop.

Agreed. I would strongly recommend 10.4 over 10.3 too - I just got done repairing a 10.3 machine and found that most modern software, in particular Firefox and Safari 3, won't run on anything less than Tiger.
 
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The only problem I have with upgrading to OS X 10.4 is that my IBook doesn't have a DVD drive, just as standard CD rom....how can I install without a DVD drive?
 
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I believe that there is a CD version of the tiger install disk...
 

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