Help Installing 10.5 on Powerbook G4 17"

06-09-2012, 01:17 PM

Hello,

I am new to this forum, and am about to pull out my hair trying to install OS X 10.5 on my grandfather's Powerbook G4 17". I know it needs to be in Apple Partition scheme because it is a PPC, but when I partition the drive and then try to install 10.5, the installer says the OS cannot be installed on this drive(It will install on GUID, I tried). Why is this? is there a workaround? I am currently attempting to restore the drive using the disc, but it is taking a LONG time. BTW, this is a brand new HD as the old one failed. Thanks for all your help!

Tim

zo219 · 06-09-2012, 05:01 PM

Do you really want to partition the drive, or do you mean just formatting it before install.

In which case you can just Erase by selecting the computer, not the internal drive, in Disk Utility, choosing Mac and Journaled ... or Partition, making one partition out of the whole drive, where you again get to choose the Format.

The only other strategy I can think of right now is to go ahead and format GUID—and then reformat to Mac Journaled — sorry, am on Lion and don't recall specific name in 10.5, but have a strong sense that will work.

DeltaMac · 06-09-2012, 07:14 PM

GUID format will NOT work, and it won't allow you to install, not on a G4 Mac.
Boot to the installer, open Disk Utility. Select your hard drive (the line with the the manufacturer's info), and then click the Partition tab.
Click the Partition Layout drop-down, and choose 1 partition from that menu. Name the partition, if you like. Make sure that Format is Mac OS Extended (Journaled), and then be sure to click the Options button at the bottom of the partitions list. Choose Apple Partition Map (NOT GUID Partition table)
GUID will work, but you CAN'T install OS X on a GUID partition. A GUID partition will NOT boot a G4 Mac, plus the installer won't let you do that. The partition must be something other than GUID, and Apple Partition Map is your best choice.
The only way that GUID can work is if you are booted to an intel Mac, such as a MacBook Pro, or a MacBook.
So, Apple Partition Map is correct - and don't make the mistake of using a Case-sensitive format. It's one of the choices, and NOT a good one for most uses.
Anyway, make your format changes, click the Apply button, wait a few seconds for the partition to complete, and Quit Disk Utility, so you can continue with the OS X install.

06-09-2012, 01:17 PM	#1
timhook22 Guest Posts: n/a	Help Installing 10.5 on Powerbook G4 17" Hello, I am new to this forum, and am about to pull out my hair trying to install OS X 10.5 on my grandfather's Powerbook G4 17". I know it needs to be in Apple Partition scheme because it is a PPC, but when I partition the drive and then try to install 10.5, the installer says the OS cannot be installed on this drive(It will install on GUID, I tried). Why is this? is there a workaround? I am currently attempting to restore the drive using the disc, but it is taking a LONG time. BTW, this is a brand new HD as the old one failed. Thanks for all your help! Tim

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06-09-2012, 05:01 PM	#2
zo219 Triple-A Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 83	Do you really want to partition the drive, or do you mean just formatting it before install. In which case you can just Erase by selecting the computer, not the internal drive, in Disk Utility, choosing Mac and Journaled ... or Partition, making one partition out of the whole drive, where you again get to choose the Format. The only other strategy I can think of right now is to go ahead and format GUID—and then reformat to Mac Journaled — sorry, am on Lion and don't recall specific name in 10.5, but have a strong sense that will work.

06-09-2012, 07:14 PM	#3
DeltaMac League Commissioner Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 7,957	GUID format will NOT work, and it won't allow you to install, not on a G4 Mac. Boot to the installer, open Disk Utility. Select your hard drive (the line with the the manufacturer's info), and then click the Partition tab. Click the Partition Layout drop-down, and choose 1 partition from that menu. Name the partition, if you like. Make sure that Format is Mac OS Extended (Journaled), and then be sure to click the Options button at the bottom of the partitions list. Choose Apple Partition Map (NOT GUID Partition table) GUID will work, but you CAN'T install OS X on a GUID partition. A GUID partition will NOT boot a G4 Mac, plus the installer won't let you do that. The partition must be something other than GUID, and Apple Partition Map is your best choice. The only way that GUID can work is if you are booted to an intel Mac, such as a MacBook Pro, or a MacBook. So, Apple Partition Map is correct - and don't make the mistake of using a Case-sensitive format. It's one of the choices, and NOT a good one for most uses. Anyway, make your format changes, click the Apply button, wait a few seconds for the partition to complete, and Quit Disk Utility, so you can continue with the OS X install.