Osx 10.3

[Mike White]

When I got my original 17" G4 iMac back from my parents I tried to reinstall the operating system. My disc 1 failed at 93% complete. Unfortunately the hard drive has already been cleared at this point so the machine has no operating system at all now. Can any one clone a disc like the one above please? Obviously I will be happy to pay for it. I tried making a copy myself but it was too faithful and failed at the same point. Mike

 

[pigoo3]

Have you checked eBay for another set of disks? Sometimes you can find them for sale.

- Nick

 

[Mike White]

Have you checked eBay for another set of disks? Sometimes you can find them for sale.

- Nick

Hi Nick,

I don't use ebay. I may be mistaken but there just seem to be too many scams. I was hoping a more controlled community would be more reliable. Alas 12 year old software is not easy to come by. None of my Mac using friends have anything suitable.

 

[pigoo3]

I don't use ebay. I may be mistaken but there just seem to be too many scams.

I've been using eBay for 16 years (since 2000)…and have really not had any problems. You use Paypal to pay for things. If you are sent something that is not right…and the seller will not make it right...you open a Paypal dispute & get refunded.

I was hoping a more controlled community would be more reliable.

You asked if anyone could make you a copy of their 10.3 disk. This really isn't the appropriate way to obtain Mac OS install media. That's why I suggested ebay.

Alas 12 year old software is not easy to come by. None of my Mac using friends have anything suitable.

Yes I know. Have an avid collection of older Mac's, older Apple hardware, and old Mac/Apple software. Been using Mac's since 1986.

- Nick

 

[chscag]

Can any one clone a disc like the one above please?

As Nick pointed out, you will need to purchase a new set (if you can find them). Also, make sure the optical drive that you're trying to install from is OK. You might want to buy a can of compressed air and blow a few blasts into the drive to see if that makes a difference. The reason you can't directly copy that disk is that it may be a double density disk. I'm not sure exactly when Apple started using double density (double sided) disks but I believe it was either with Panther or Tiger.

 

[ferrarr]

I'm not sure if this is permitted here, but, Low End Mac has a google group for mac users to buy and sell unused items. I've used them for selling and buying. Lots of old and new items there, check it out.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/lemswap

 

[pigoo3]

Hey Mike. Wanted to 2nd what chscag mentioned. Make super sure the optical drive is clean (compressed canned air). And make sure the OS install disk is clean (carefully wipe it with a microfiber cloth).

It is also possible that the optical drive is bad. The slot-loading optical drives on iMacs, Mac-Mini's, and Apple portable computers are not known for super durability (compared to tray-loading optical drives). Of course this can be tested by trying other CD's/DVD's in the drive.

Good luck,

- Nick

 

[Mike White]

Hey Mike. Wanted to 2nd what chscag mentioned. Make super sure the optical drive is clean (compressed canned air). And make sure the OS install disk is clean (carefully wipe it with a microfiber cloth).

It is also possible that the optical drive is bad. The slot-loading optical drives on iMacs, Mac-Mini's, and Apple portable computers are not known for super durability (compared to tray-loading optical drives). Of course this can be tested by trying other CD's/DVD's in the drive.

Good luck,

- Nick

Thanks Guys I will check out the Google link.
By targeting the root directory I did make a fully bootable disc image of my original, it failed because it copied the flaw too. My machine is so old it does have a tray drive. I will still try cleaning it though, transporting it around may have shaken something loose. It was quite the novelty item when I took it to the Mac Store to see if they could help.

 

[pigoo3]

By targeting the root directory I did make a fully bootable disc image of my original, it failed because it copied the flaw too. My machine is so old it does have a tray drive.

Ahh yes. Just remembered you had an iMac G4 ("Lamp-shade") which had a try-loading optical drive.

Good luck,

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

I dare say and didn't notice it mentioned, but if the HDD is original it could certainly be the cause of the "disc 1 failed at 93% complete" and even possibly the reason to try the reinstall if things were acting goofy.

If that's the reason, no install disk is going to improve things I'd say…

Just saying…



- Patrick
======

 

[harryb2448]

And from memory which is failing, Panther came on a two disc set of CDs. Maybe you need Disc 2? It certainly contained all the applications etc.

 

[Rod]

I think it used to ask for Disk 2 on completion of Disk 1, my memory is failing too, is there any option to use a USB external Drive?

 

[Mike White]

The machine was working fine before I started to reinstall the OS. I was just cleaning it down having got it back from my parents and now it has no operating system at all. I suggested making a disc image of the root directory of an appropriate disc because Apple has washed it's hands of every OS earlier than 10.5. I did not see it as a copyright issue.
I have tried to find a bootable version I can download onto USB drive but without success. If any of you know where one is, can you post a link please.

 

[pigoo3]

I know you said you don't like eBay (mostly due to rumors & not personal experience). I did a quick eBay search…and there are plenty of 10.3 install disks/sets available.

- Nick

 

[Mike White]

OK I have taken the plunge and bought some on ebay. I went through as a guest so did not even have to set up a Paypal account.

I will let you know how I get on. Thanks

 

[pigoo3]

OK I have taken the plunge and bought some on ebay. I went through as a guest so did not even have to set up a Paypal account.

If I may ask. If you are not using Paypal…how are you paying for the purchase? Or do you mean you're paying via Paypal as a "guest"…or some other method?

Did you create an eBay account?

Maybe eBay has different options these days.

- Nick

p.s. The bottom line is. eBay has gotten a lot more similar to Amazon.com in how many transactions are handled. And lots & lots & lots of folks use Amazon.com.

 

[Mike White]

If I may ask. If you are not using Paypal…how are you paying for the purchase? Or do you mean you're paying via Paypal as a "guest"…or some other method?

Did you create an eBay account?

Maybe eBay has different options these days.

- Nick

p.s. The bottom line is. eBay has gotten a lot more similar to Amazon.com in how many transactions are handled. And lots & lots & lots of folks use Amazon.com.

Hi Nick,

I did not have to get an account for either eBay or PayPal. Obviously I had to enter basic personal details and shipping address. Luckily the seller accepted credit cards. Yes I use Amazon too, so it is probably an unjustified prejudice that keeps me from eBay. Certainly the up front stuff was just as I am used to with other online purchases. Fingers crossed the next post will be of my beloved old Mac with a nice Desktop. Thanks for the push.

Mike

 

[pigoo3]

I did not have to get an account for either eBay or PayPal. Obviously I had to enter basic personal details and shipping address. Luckily the seller accepted credit cards. Yes I use Amazon too, so it is probably an unjustified prejudice that keeps me from eBay.

Good deal Mike. As I mentioned above. Many transactions on eBay are becoming more & more like Amazon…which it sounds like that's how your transaction went. I think that ebay now has two "avenue types" for completing a transaction:

- The traditional auction format ebay has been known for.
- The Amazon.com like format.

Hopefully the newer disks do the trick.

- Nick

 

[Pasquanel]

Nick I have had more than a couple of miserable experiences with PayPal and I won't use them anymore.
Happy to hear it works for you.

 

[pigoo3]

Nick I have had more than a couple of miserable experiences with PayPal and I won't use them anymore.
Happy to hear it works for you.

Sorry to hear that. But is there anything in this world that at least one person hasn't had a miserable experiences with?? Nothing...I repeat…nothing is perfect. I'm pretty sure statistically…Paypal is fine.

By the way. Was the actual miserable experience with Paypal itself…or was the miserable experience with the place you purchased something from the source of the miserable experience?

- Nick