Reinstall OS

[Adwarrior]

My girlfriend has been given an ibook G4. It's the 933 Mhz 256 Mb model.
It has a problem whereby you can't browse certain sites. Facebook, Hotmail and several others. They load and look like they are text based with little or no functionality. I've tried several browsers, but have the same problem with all.
It's been suggested I check which plugins it has, but to be honest I'm not familiar with Macs and aren't sure where to look. I downloaded a java update and installed it. I also tried the software upgrade, but it says it's up to date. I also tried installing skype, but when I run it, it says "can't run skype as it is damaged or incomplete".
I thought maybe I should reinstall the OS, as there are obviously numerous problems with it. It's currently running 10.3.9. I've downloaded MacOSXUpdCombo10.4.11PPC and would like to install that, but first need to get it onto a CD. Can I simply write it to disk on a windows machine and expect it to work?

Any help for this mac newbie would be most appreciated.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

My girlfriend has been given an ibook G4. It's the 933 Mhz 256 Mb model.
It has a problem whereby you can't browse certain sites. Facebook, Hotmail and several others. They load and look like they are text based with little or no functionality. I've tried several browsers, but have the same problem with all.
It's been suggested I check which plugins it has, but to be honest I'm not familiar with Macs and aren't sure where to look. I downloaded a java update and installed it. I also tried the software upgrade, but it says it's up to date. I also tried installing skype, but when I run it, it says "can't run skype as it is damaged or incomplete".
I thought maybe I should reinstall the OS, as there are obviously numerous problems with it. It's currently running 10.3.9. I've downloaded MacOSXUpdCombo10.4.11PPC and would like to install that, but first need to get it onto a CD. Can I simply write it to disk on a windows machine and expect it to work?

Any help for this mac newbie would be most appreciated.

The problem may be the age of her OS. 10.3 is an antique by today's standards. What web browser is she using? If it's Safari, definitely go grab Firefox instead. Here's a link to the last version of Firefox that she will ever be able to run:
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.20/mac/en-US/Firefox 2.0.0.20.dmg

As for the 10.4.11 combo update, you can't install that on 10.3.x. That's like trying to install a Vista service pack on Windows XP. She is as updated as far as she can go, short of upgrading to 10.4 Tiger.

 

[harryb2448]

And her machine will run Leopard OS X.5.8, the final operating system for PowerPC computers. That and at least 1GB of memory would make an enormous difference, but expect to spend a couple of hundred bucks.

If you go Leopard OS X.5 make sure you purchase a full retail install black DVD as a silver/grey disc that abounds on auction sites will not install.

 

[Adwarrior]

I have a copy of 10.4 retail install DVD as an iso. Can I now just burn it as an image in windows and then expect it to install?

Thanks

Adam

 

[harryb2448]

No Apple did not release Tiger that way so must be illegal download and it will not work.

 

[Adwarrior]

Re-install

No Apple did not release Tiger that way so must be illegal download and it will not work.

So how does one get a copy of 10.4 if it's not made available?

 

[MYmacROX]

So how does one get a copy of 10.4 if it's not made available?

eBay maybe if someone is selling an old Retail copy.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

So how does one get a copy of 10.4 if it's not made available?

Actually it is readily available on Amazon.com. Although instead of 10.4, you really should spring for 10.5. As pointed out, it is the last version of OS X you'll ever be able to run, and is more capable than 10.4. You'll have much fewer problems with software for it. You need at the bare minimum 512 MB of RAM, which appears to be the most you can put in that iBook, at least officially. Unofficially, some people have been able to get 1GB modules to work. Here's some links for the OS and some RAM:

Amazon.com: Mac OS X Version 10.5.6 Leopard: Software

512MB, 200-pin SODIMM, DDR PC2700 upgrades for Apple iBook (G4 933MHz) Laptop/Notebook, CT529039 from Crucial.com

 

[Adwarrior]

Thanks very much.

Adam

 

[cwa107]

I wouldn't spend $200 on that machine to be honest - also not sure if I'd bother with 10.5 on a machine that old. 10.4 would probably be a better fit. Otherwise, blow it away and get a lightweight Linux distro.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I should also add… if you get it off eBay, be VERY SURE you are getting the retail copy, not the gray disc that ships with Macs. The OEM one will only work for the exact model it shipped with. A lot of people are selling the OEM version on eBay, and a lot of people buy them and get burned.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I wouldn't spend $200 on that machine to be honest - also not sure if I'd bother with 10.5 on a machine that old. 10.4 would probably be a better fit. Otherwise, blow it away and get a lightweight Linux distro.

I'm inclined to agree with this, actually. 10.5 will run, but with the bare minimum RAM and requirements, it won't run very well. It all boils down to your comfort level with Linux. Can't hurt to try it.

 

[Adwarrior]

Yeah, I don't want to spend a penny on this. All she wants is to be able to browse the web. I'm already regretting the time I've put into it.
It didn't occur to me to put linux on it.

Anyone got any recommendations for a good flavour of linux to use? Something user friendly, as she's not super good with computers.

 

[Adwarrior]

looking at the system profiler I see this is a PowerPC 750 900MHz with 256 Mb of RAM. So, I guess I have to get a PPC version of linux, correct?

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Yeah, I don't want to spend a penny on this. All she wants is to be able to browse the web. I'm already regretting the time I've put into it.
It didn't occur to me to put linux on it.

Anyone got any recommendations for a good flavour of linux to use? Something user friendly, as she's not super good with computers.

Yes, if just for web browsing, spending money would be very unwise. Linux would definitely fit the bill.

You will need a PPC distro. Ubuntu may be your best bet, though I'll defer to cwa if he advises differently since he probably has more experience with it than I do.
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCFAQ

 

[Adwarrior]

thanks guys